What does Psalm 60:10 mean?

At the time David spoke these words, the nation of Israel was being ravaged by Edomite invaders from the south. The main army was in the north fighting a separate war. David's initial reaction to the attack was dismay (Psalm 60:1–5), to which God responded with a declaration of His authority (Psalm 60:6–8). David's reply is to wonder how—not if—God will accomplish this rescue (Psalm 60:9). In his immediate situation, David saw nothing suggesting the Lord was aiding the forces of Israel.

David's approach maintains faith that God can and will respond (Psalm 60:11–12). In part, this involves recognizing that the Lord, and not mankind, is the ultimate source of power. Sometimes, willingness to acknowledge one's human inability to succeed opens the way for the Lord to take over and bring success. The gospel of Luke records how Simon, Andrew, James, and John had fished all night without success. When Jesus asked Simon to "put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch" (Luke 5:4), Simon confessed, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets" (Luke 5:5). Suddenly the nets swarmed with so many fish that they were breaking (Luke 5:6). Without the Lord success is impossible. With Him success is inevitable.

This verse resembles the statement in Psalm 44:9, which was written later.