Psalm 60:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Moab is my washbasin; upon Edom I cast my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph."

NIV: Moab is my washbasin, on Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph."

NASB: Moab is My washbowl; I will throw My sandal over Edom; Shout loud, Philistia, because of Me!'

CSB: Moab is my washbasin. I throw my sandal on Edom; I shout in triumph over Philistia."

NLT: But Moab, my washbasin, will become my servant, and I will wipe my feet on Edom and shout in triumph over Philistia.'

KJV: Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.

NKJV: Moab is My washpot; Over Edom I will cast My shoe; Philistia, shout in triumph because of Me.”

In response to a critically-timed invasion (Psalm 60:1–3), David has prayed for the Lord to rescue the nation of Israel (Psalm 60:4–5). This passage includes a response where God expresses His power over the lands in question. He has reassuringly claimed ownership and control of Shechem, Succoth, Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Judah. These were areas associated with Israel's history and her tribes. In this verse, the Lord turns to making similar remarks about the lands of Israel's enemies—but with a much different tone.

Moab was a nation descended from a tragic incident of incest (Genesis 19:36–37). So, too, were the Ammonites who David was fighting to the north (Genesis 19:38). Isaiah 16:6 mentions Moab's cultural pride, stating," We have heard of the pride of Moab—how proud he is!—of his arrogance, his pride, and his insolence." A washbasin was used in cleaning. Of course, this is a dirty, humble role, and not a position of honor. Referring to Moab in this context implies unimportance, control, and subjugation.

God also promised to defeat Edom, another of Israel's long-time enemies (Genesis 36:1; Obadiah 1). This was the nation who invaded Israel from the south while David's army was engaging Ammonites and Arameans in the north. Shoes were symbolically associated with ownership, partly because a person walked on land they owned. Removing a shoe was symbolic of renouncing ownership (Deuteronomy 25:9; Ruth 4:8). Taking off both shoes not only implied respecting the cleanliness of an area, but also the humble person's lack of authority there (Exodus 3:5; Joshua 5:15). Throwing a shoe could represent intense insult or taking possession in a hostile way. The Lord's intent for Edom was harsh judgment.

Philistia, home of the Philistines, was another of Israel's long-time enemies, but God promised victory over them, as well.

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.