Psalm 60:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Have you not rejected us, O God? You do not go forth, O God, with our armies.

NIV: Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us and no longer go out with our armies?

NASB: Have You Yourself not rejected us, God? And will You not go out with our armies, God?

CSB: God, haven't you rejected us? God, you do not march out with our armies.

NLT: Have you rejected us, O God? Will you no longer march with our armies?

KJV: Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies?

NKJV: Is it not You, O God, who cast us off? And You, O God, who did not go out with our armies?

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.

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.