Psalm 60:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

NIV: Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

NASB: Who will bring me into the besieged city? Who will lead me to Edom?

CSB: Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

NLT: Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will bring me victory over Edom?

KJV: Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?

NKJV: Who will bring me to the strong city? Who will lead me to Edom?

The psalm was composed when the nation of Edom invaded the southern territory of Israel (Psalm 60:1–5). This happened while David's main army engaged Arameans and Ammonites to the north (2 Samuel 8:3; 1 Chronicles 18:3). David's initial reaction was grief, as he recognized the attack as a dire threat. God responded with a declaration of His control over all the nations involved (Psalm 60:6–8). Here, David asks how this will be accomplished. He does not seem to doubt that God can rescue Israel, or that God will, but only wonders at the means. This parallels Mary's wondering, but faithful, response to the angel who announced her pregnancy (Luke 1:34).

Likely, the fortified city mentioned here was Petra, sometimes called Sela. This was the capital of Edom and was securely built into rock. It was accessible only by two narrow, treacherous paths. Edom took great pride in the impregnable location of its capital city. Obadiah 1:3 says of Edom, "The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, 'Who will bring me down to the ground?'" The Lord answers in the following verse, "Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down" (Obadiah 1:4). If David was to conquer the fortified city, he would need to rely entirely on God for the victory. He asks, "Who will lead me to Edom?" Of course, the answer was God would (Psalm 60:12).

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.