Psalm 60:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You have made the land to quake; you have torn it open; repair its breaches, for it totters.

NIV: You have shaken the land and torn it open; mend its fractures, for it is quaking.

NASB: You have made the land quake, You have split it open; Heal its cracks, for it sways.

CSB: You have shaken the land and split it open. Heal its fissures, for it shudders.

NLT: You have shaken our land and split it open. Seal the cracks, for the land trembles.

KJV: Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.

NKJV: You have made the earth tremble; You have broken it; Heal its breaches, for it is shaking.

When David's army was fighting the Ammonites and Arameans to the north, Edomites invaded the southern territory of Israel. This psalm presents David's initial response. He recognizes the attack as a dire threat. Yet, David speaks only in terms of God's actions (Psalm 60:1, 3–5). This reflects his faith that the Lord, not imperfect man, is ultimately in control of the results of a battle.

The invasion by the nation of Edom seemed to strike Israel like a devastating earthquake. A strong earthquake splits the land and causes buildings to sway and collapse. Similarly, Israel's military resources were not sufficient to counter Edom's sudden invasion—at least not while fighting a large war to the north. The invasion divided the army's ranks and caused Israel to totter on the brink of collapse. However, history shows that the defeat of the Edomites was decisive. After this psalm was composed, David and his forces routed Edom (2 Samuel 8:13–14). That victory, in response to humble prayer, may be why this song is labeled "for instruction." Edom never regained the strength it had before invading southern Israel and losing a staggering number of troops (1 Chronicles 18:12–13).

At Jesus' return to earth, an international force will devastate Jerusalem, but the Lord will fight against the aggressors (Zechariah 14:1–3). Verse 4 prophesies: "On that day [the Lord Jesus'] feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward."

Psalm 60:1–5 expresses David's combination of dismay and faith. He is occupied with war in the north, so news of a southern invasion is a dangerous catastrophe. Yet he speaks only of God's power and work, including confidence that the Lord will provide a means of rescue. Events occurring after this psalm was written are recorded in 2 Samuel 8 and 1 Chronicles 18.

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.