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O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses; you have been angry; oh, restore us (Psalm 60:1, ESV).
Psalm 60 is the “extremely discouraged” Psalm. Have you ever felt so hammered by life that you considered giving up, perhaps even wish that you didn’t exist? Do you believe God has abandoned you?
This is a psalm from an extremely discouraged King David.
While David was fighting his enemies in the north, the Moabites, Edomites, and the dreaded Philistines attacked the defenseless Israelites in the south.
You have made the land to quake; you have torn it open; repair its breaches, for it totters. You have made your people see hard things; you have given us wine to drink that made us stagger (vv. 2-3).
When David heard of the victory of his enemies in the south, he was confused and felt forsaken. . .
Have you not rejected us, O God? You do not go forth, O God, with our armies (v. 10).
Let’s personalize Psalm 60: When we are overwhelmed and defeated, do we wonder what we did that caused the tragedy? It’s human nature. David did the same but concluded. . .
Nothing — I’ve done nothing wrong!
And having done nothing wrong, he stood strong, claiming victory. Reading this Psalm, I find humor in David’s comments about his enemies. . .
Moab is my washbasin; upon Edom I cast my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph (v. 8).
To make sure that you get what King David is really saying, let me give an OGV translation (Old Guy Version). . .
My enemy Moab is nothing but a basin for washing my feet, and Edom is a servant barely worthy of cleaning my shoes. And the Philistines are laughable. God easily casts them aside (v. 8, OGV).
Upon hearing the news of Israel’s defeat in the south, David didn’t retreat in despair. He refocused upon the strength found in God during difficulty. . .
You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow. Selah. That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer us! (vv. 4-5)
After this refocusing, David did what good leaders do — he acted by sending part of his army under the leadership of his trusted lieutenant Joab to fight against God’s enemies.
There is lots of action in Psalm 60 — defeat, potential despair, praising God despite negative circumstances, organizing a defense, but finally, victory.
As King David concludes. . .
Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes (vv. 11-12).
Psalm 60 takes us from defeat to victory!
Amen. Peace out!