Psalm 60:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.

NIV: With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

NASB: Through God we will do valiantly, And it is He who will trample down our enemies.

CSB: With God we will perform valiantly; he will trample our foes.

NLT: With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes.

KJV: Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

NKJV: Through God we will do valiantly, For it is He who shall tread down our enemies.

In this closing verse David expresses full confidence in God. He is assured the Lord will enable Israel to win their unexpectedly difficult battle (Psalm 60:1–5). He pictures God as trampling over Israel's foes: the Edomites who had attacked from the south while the main army was engaged to the north (2 Samuel 8:3; 1 Chronicles 18:3). This would follow with God's other promises that Edom would not overcome Israel (Numbers 24:18), including one in this very psalm (Psalm 60:6–8). David may have wondered how God would make this happen (Psalm 60:9–10), yet has no doubt that God would make good on His promise (Psalm 60:11).

The imagery of God "treading" or "trampling" on an enemy suggests more than physical defeat. It implies both complete dominance and divine judgment. The writer of Hebrews refers to God as subjecting everything under Jesus' feet (Hebrews 2:7–8). At the end of the tribulation, Jesus will return to earth and "tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty" (Revelation 19:15). He will reveal Himself as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). In that end-times battle, it will be the Lord God, not human armies, who attain victory. David is confident that with God on their side, Israel will see victory in this conflict.

This psalm is labelled "for instruction." Most likely, that refers to what happened after the words were written. David sent some of his men south, where they crushed the Edomite invaders in spectacular fashion (1 Chronicles 11:6; 18:12).

Psalm 60:9–12 asks three questions, repeating David's distress over a sudden invasion by the nation of Edom (Psalm 60:1–5). The Lord had responded with a declaration that He was in control of all things, including victory over the enemy (Psalm 60:6–8). David wonders aloud how this will happen but concludes with a declaration of faith. He trusts that the Lord will lead Israel to victory.

David addresses God with great dismay. He describes the territory of Israel as abandoned by God, broken, and shattered by an enemy invasion. Yet David speaks in terms of God's actions and God's ultimate control. The Lord responds with His intent to save Israel and crush the enemy. David wonders how this will happen but expresses trust that God will keep His word. This psalm corresponds to the military actions of David recorded in 2 Samuel 8 and 1 Chronicles 18.

This psalm appears to have been written when David was battling the Arameans and Ammonites (2 Samuel 8:3; 1 Chronicles 18:3). While the army was engaged in the north, Edomites attacked Israel from the south and inflicted heavy damage. The psalm entreats God to cause Israel to triumph over the Edomites. Scripture records that the prayer was successful. David sent Abishai, accompanied by Joab and a contingent of soldiers, who routed the enemy (1 Chronicles 18:12; 2 Samuel 8:13).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.