June 11, 2025
Do you ever feel like God has given up on you?
Psalm 58-65
Abby Smith
Big Book Idea
Worship is our response to God for who He is and what He has done!
Key Verse | Psalm 60:10
Have you not rejected us, O God?
You do not go forth, O God, with our armies.
Psalm 58-65
Chapter 58
God Who Judges the Earth
To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam 1 58:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term of David.
1
Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods?
2
58:1
Or you mighty lords (by revocalization; Hebrew in silence)
Do you judge the children of man uprightly?
2
No, in your hearts you devise wrongs;
your hands deal out violence on earth.
3
The wicked are estranged from the womb;
they go astray from birth, speaking lies.
4
They have venom like the venom of a serpent,
like the deaf adder that stops its ear,
5
so that it does not hear the voice of charmers
or of the cunning enchanter.
6
O God, break the teeth in their mouths;
tear out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD!
7
Let them vanish like water that runs away;
when he aims his arrows, let them be blunted.
8
Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime,
like the stillborn child who never sees the sun.
9
Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns,
whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away!
3
58:9
The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain
10
The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance;
he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11
Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous;
surely there is a God who judges on earth.”
Chapter 59
Deliver Me from My Enemies
To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam 4 59:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term of David, when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him.
1
Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
protect me from those who rise up against me;
2
deliver me from those who work evil,
and save me from bloodthirsty men.
3
For behold, they lie in wait for my life;
fierce men stir up strife against me.
For no transgression or sin of mine, O LORD,
4
for no fault of mine, they run and make ready.
Awake, come to meet me, and see!
5
You, LORD God of hosts, are God of Israel.
Rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah
6
Each evening they come back,
howling like dogs
and prowling about the city.
7
There they are, bellowing with their mouths
with swords in their lips—
for “Who,” they think,
5
59:7
Hebrew lacks they think
“will hear us?”
8
But you, O LORD, laugh at them;
you hold all the nations in derision.
9
O my Strength, I will watch for you,
for you, O God, are my fortress.
10
My God in his steadfast love
6
59:10
Or The God who shows me steadfast love
will meet me;
God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.
11
Kill them not, lest my people forget;
make them totter
7
59:11
Or wander
by your power and bring them down,
O Lord, our shield!
12
For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips,
let them be trapped in their pride.
For the cursing and lies that they utter,
13
consume them in wrath;
consume them till they are no more,
that they may know that God rules over Jacob
to the ends of the earth. Selah
14
Each evening they come back,
howling like dogs
and prowling about the city.
15
They wander about for food
and growl if they do not get their fill.
16
But I will sing of your strength;
I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been to me a fortress
and a refuge in the day of my distress.
17
O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,
for you, O God, are my fortress,
the God who shows me steadfast love.
Chapter 60
He Will Tread Down Our Foes
To the choirmaster: according to Shushan Eduth. A Miktam 8 60:1 Probably musical or liturgical terms of David; for instruction; when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and when Joab on his return struck down twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt.
1
O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses;
you have been angry; oh, restore us.
2
You have made the land to quake; you have torn it open;
repair its breaches, for it totters.
3
You have made your people see hard things;
you have given us wine to drink that made us stagger.
4
You have set up a banner for those who fear you,
that they may flee to it from the bow.
9
60:4
Or that it may be displayed because of truth
Selah
5
That your beloved ones may be delivered,
give salvation by your right hand and answer us!
6
God has spoken in his holiness:
10
60:6
Or sanctuary
“With exultation I will divide up Shechem
and portion out the Vale of Succoth.
7
Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine;
Ephraim is my helmet;
Judah is my scepter.
8
Moab is my washbasin;
upon Edom I cast my shoe;
over Philistia I shout in triumph.”
11
60:8
Revocalization (compare Psalm 108:10); Masoretic Text over me, O Philistia, shout in triumph
9
Who will bring me to the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
10
Have you not rejected us, O God?
You do not go forth, O God, with our armies.
11
Oh, grant us help against the foe,
for vain is the salvation of man!
12
With God we shall do valiantly;
it is he who will tread down our foes.
Chapter 61
Lead Me to the Rock
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David.
1
Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
2
from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
3
for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.
4
Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
5
For you, O God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
6
Prolong the life of the king;
may his years endure to all generations!
7
May he be enthroned forever before God;
appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!
8
So will I ever sing praises to your name,
as I perform my vows day after day.
Chapter 62
My Soul Waits for God Alone
To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.
1
For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
2
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.
3
How long will all of you attack a man
to batter him,
like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
4
They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.
They take pleasure in falsehood.
They bless with their mouths,
but inwardly they curse. Selah
5
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
6
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
8
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
9
Those of low estate are but a breath;
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
10
Put no trust in extortion;
set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, set not your heart on them.
11
Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
12
and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man
according to his work.
Chapter 63
My Soul Thirsts for You
A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
1
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
3
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
4
So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.
5
My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
6
when I remember you upon my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
7
for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
8
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.
9
But those who seek to destroy my life
shall go down into the depths of the earth;
10
they shall be given over to the power of the sword;
they shall be a portion for jackals.
11
But the king shall rejoice in God;
all who swear by him shall exult,
for the mouths of liars will be stopped.
Chapter 64
Hide Me from the Wicked
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
1
Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint;
preserve my life from dread of the enemy.
2
Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked,
from the throng of evildoers,
3
who whet their tongues like swords,
who aim bitter words like arrows,
4
shooting from ambush at the blameless,
shooting at him suddenly and without fear.
5
They hold fast to their evil purpose;
they talk of laying snares secretly,
thinking, “Who can see them?”
6
They search out injustice,
saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.”
For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep.
7
But God shoots his arrow at them;
they are wounded suddenly.
8
They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them;
all who see them will wag their heads.
9
Then all mankind fears;
they tell what God has brought about
and ponder what he has done.
10
Let the righteous one rejoice in the LORD
and take refuge in him!
Let all the upright in heart exult!
Chapter 65
O God of Our Salvation
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A Song.
1
Praise is due to you,
12
65:1
Or Praise waits for you in silence
O God, in Zion,
and to you shall vows be performed.
2
O you who hear prayer,
to you shall all flesh come.
3
When iniquities prevail against me,
you atone for our transgressions.
4
Blessed is the one you choose and bring near,
to dwell in your courts!
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,
the holiness of your temple!
5
By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,
O God of our salvation,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas;
6
the one who by his strength established the mountains,
being girded with might;
7
who stills the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
the tumult of the peoples,
8
so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs.
You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.
9
You visit the earth and water it;
13
65:9
Or and make it overflow
you greatly enrich it;
the river of God is full of water;
you provide their grain,
for so you have prepared it.
10
You water its furrows abundantly,
settling its ridges,
softening it with showers,
and blessing its growth.
11
You crown the year with your bounty;
your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.
12
The pastures of the wilderness overflow,
the hills gird themselves with joy,
13
the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,
the valleys deck themselves with grain,
they shout and sing together for joy.
Footnotes
[1] 58:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term[2] 58:1 Or you mighty lords (by revocalization; Hebrew in silence)
[3] 58:9 The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain
[4] 59:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
[5] 59:7 Hebrew lacks they think
[6] 59:10 Or The God who shows me steadfast love
[7] 59:11 Or wander
[8] 60:1 Probably musical or liturgical terms
[9] 60:4 Or that it may be displayed because of truth
[10] 60:6 Or sanctuary
[11] 60:8 Revocalization (compare Psalm 108:10); Masoretic Text over me, O Philistia, shout in triumph
[12] 65:1 Or Praise waits for you in silence
[13] 65:9 Or and make it overflow
Table of Contents
Introduction to The Psalms
Timeline
Author and Date
Individual psalms come from diverse periods of Israel’s history, but at every stage they served as the songbook of God’s people. David wrote about half of the Psalms. His role as king was more than that of a ruler. He was to represent and even embody the people, and their well-being was tied to his faithfulness. David, then, writes as a representative, and the readers must discern whether the emphasis of a psalm is more on his role as ruler or more on his role as ideal Israelite, in which he is an example for all. The historical occasions mentioned in the psalm titles help the reader see how faith applies to real-life situations.
Key Themes
The Psalter is fundamentally the hymnbook of God’s people. It takes the basic themes of OT theology and turns them into song:
- Monotheism. The one God, Maker and Ruler of all, will vindicate his goodness and justice in his own time. Everyone must know and love this God, whose purity, power, wisdom, faithfulness, and unceasing love are breathtakingly beautiful.
- Creation and fall. Though God made man with dignity and purpose, all people since the fall are beset with sins and weaknesses that only God’s grace can heal.
- Election and covenant. The one true God chose a people for himself and bound himself to them by his covenant. This covenant expressed God’s intention to save his people, and through them to bring light to the world.
- Covenant membership. In his covenant, God offers grace to his people: forgiveness of their sins, the shaping of their lives to reflect his own glory, and a part to play as light to the Gentiles. Each member of God’s people is responsible to believe God’s promises and to grow in obeying his commands. Those who do this enjoy the full benefits of God’s love and find delight in knowing him. The well-being of God’s people as a whole affects the well-being of each member. Each one shares the joys and sorrows of the others. When believers suffer, they should not seek revenge but should pray. They can be confident that God will make all things right in his own time.
- Eschatology. The story of God’s people is headed toward a glorious future, in which all kinds of people will come to know the Lord. The personal faithfulness of God’s people contributes to his ultimate purpose. The Messiah, the ultimate heir of David, will lead his people in the great task of bringing light to the Gentiles.
Types of Psalms
The Psalms can be identified according to some basic categories:
Laments, which lay a troubled situation before the Lord, asking him for help. There are community (Psalm 12) and individual (Psalm 13) laments. This category is the largest by far, including up to a third of all Psalms.
Hymns of praise, which call God’s people to admire his great attributes and deeds. Examples include Psalms 8; 93; and 145.
Hymns of thanksgiving. As with laments, there are community (Psalm 9) and individual (Psalm 30) thanksgiving psalms.
Hymns celebrating God’s law (Psalm 119).
Wisdom psalms (Psalms 1; 37), which reflect themes from the Wisdom Books (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon).
Songs of confidence, which enable worshipers to deepen their trust in God amid difficult circumstances (Psalm 23).
Royal psalms, which present the Davidic monarchy as the vehicle of blessing for God’s people. Some of these are prayers (Psalm 20), some are thanksgivings (Psalm 21). All relate to the Messiah, the ultimate heir of David, either by setting a pattern (Psalms 20–21) or by portraying the king’s reign in such a way that only the Messiah can completely fulfill it (Psalms 2; 72), or by focusing on the future (Psalm 110).
Historical psalms, which take lessons from the history of God’s dealings with his people (Psalm 78).
Prophetic hymns, which echo the Prophets, calling people to covenant faithfulness (Psalm 81).
Structure
The standard Hebrew text divides the Psalms into five “books,” perhaps in imitation of the five books of the Pentateuch.
| Book 1 | Psalms 1–41 | Psalms 1–2 provide an introduction to the Psalms as a whole. Except for Psalms 10 and 33, the remaining psalms of Book 1 are psalms of David. Most of them are prayers of distress. Others are statements of confidence in the God who alone can save (e.g., 9; 11; 16; 18), striking the note that concludes the book (40–41). Reflections on ethics and worship are found in Psalms 1; 14–15; 19; 24; and 26. |
| Book 2 | Psalms 42–72 | Book 2 introduces the first group of psalms by the “sons of Korah” (42; 44–49; 50). There are also more psalms of David (51–65; 68–69), including most of the “historical” psalms (51–52; 54; 56–57; 59–60; 63). Once again, lament and distress dominate these prayers, which now also include a communal voice (e.g., 44; compare 67; 68). The lone psalm attributed to Solomon concludes Book 2 with a look at God’s ideal for Israel’s kings—ultimately pointing to Christ as the final great King of God’s people. |
| Book 3 | Psalms 73–89 | The tone darkens further in Book 3. The opening Psalm 73 starkly questions the justice of God before seeing light in God’s presence. That light has almost escaped the psalmist in Psalm 88, the bleakest of all psalms. Book 2 ended with the high point of royal aspirations; Book 3 concludes in Psalm 89 with these expectations badly threatened. Sharp rays of hope occasionally pierce the darkness (e.g., 75; 85; 87). The brief third book contains most of the psalms of Asaph (73–83), as well as another set of Korah psalms (84–85; 87–88). |
| Book 4 | Psalms 90–106 | Psalm 90 opens the fourth book of the psalms. It may be seen as the first response to the problems raised by Book 3. Psalm 90, attributed to Moses, reminds the worshiper that God was active on Israel’s behalf long before David. This theme is taken up in Psalms 103–106, which summarize God’s dealings with his people before any kings reigned. In between there is a group of psalms (93–100) characterized by the refrain “The LORD reigns.” This truth refutes the doubts of Psalm 89. |
| Book 5 | Psalms 107–150 | The structure of Book 5 reflects the closing petition of Book 4 in 106:47. It declares that God does answer prayer (107) and concludes with five Hallelujah psalms (146–150). In between there are several psalms affirming the validity of the promises to David (110; 132; 144), two collections of Davidic psalms (108–110; 138–145); the longest psalm, celebrating the value of God’s law (119); and 15 psalms of ascent for use by pilgrims to Jerusalem (120–134). |
Fact: What was the main purpose of the Psalms for the people of God?
What was the main purpose of the Psalms for the people of God? The Psalms were the songbook of the people of God when they gathered for worship.
Fact: What is a psalm of lament?
What is a psalm of lament? The main purpose of a psalm of lament is to tell the Lord about a difficult situation, to ask him for his help, and to praise him for helping. Some laments are community, congregational psalms. Others are individual, personal laments. One third of all the Psalms are psalms of lament.
Fact: What defined someone as an “enemy” of the people of Israel?
What defined someone as an “enemy” of the people of Israel? The “enemies” mentioned in the Psalms (e.g., 18:17) were people hostile to the faith of God’s people. Sometimes they expressed their hatred by physically attacking the people of Israel, while other times they merely rejoiced when Israel faced misfortunes.
Fact: Selah
What does Selah mean? Although the word Selah is found 39 times in the book of Psalms, its exact meaning is uncertain. Most scholars believe it is a musical term or a term to be used by a worship leader, possibly to mark a pause.
Fact: Snares
Snares (38:12) were traps used to catch birds and animals. Some snares used ropes or nets that would be triggered as soon as the bait was touched. Pits disguised with sticks and leaves were also used as snares. In the Psalms, snares serve as symbols of danger or death at the hands of the wicked.
Fact: A helpful guide
A helpful guide. The writers of the Psalms understood the importance of constant communication with God. They knew that God would hear their prayers, and they trusted him to act on their behalf. Believers today can benefit greatly by patterning their prayers after specific psalms.
Fact: Pride
Pride (59:12) is the opposite of humility. It means putting excessive confidence in one’s own abilities, wealth, or position. Pride causes a person to crave the glory and honor that belong only to God.
Fact: Banners
Banners served as battle flags in ancient wars. Attached to poles, they were used to signal troop movements or to serve as rallying points. Banners could be actual flags or they could be carved figures, often depicting a bird or animal. Each of the Israelite tribes may have had a banner to help organize the mass exodus out of Sinai. In Psalm 60:4, the banner is a symbol of God’s protection over those who trust him.
Fact: A sanctuary and a rock?
A sanctuary and a rock? Elsewhere in Scripture, the Lord is described as a “rock” that provides a place of “sanctuary” or “refuge” (see Ps. 61:2–3). Here, however, he is a “sanctuary” for his people but a “rock” over which his enemies will stumble (Isa. 8:14; compare Rom. 9:33).
Structure of Psalms
The standard Hebrew text divides the Psalms into five “books,” perhaps in imitation of the five books of the Pentateuch.
| Book 1 | Psalms 1–41 | Psalms 1–2 provide an introduction to the Psalms as a whole. Except for Psalms 10 and 33, the remaining psalms of Book 1 are psalms of David. Most of them are prayers of distress. Others are statements of confidence in the God who alone can save (e.g., 9; 11; 16; 18), striking the note that concludes the book (40–41). Reflections on ethics and worship are found in Psalms 1; 14–15; 19; 24; and 26. |
| Book 2 | Psalms 42–72 | Book 2 introduces the first group of psalms by the “sons of Korah” (42; 44–49; 50). There are also more psalms of David (51–65; 68–69), including most of the “historical” psalms (51–52; 54; 56–57; 59–60; 63). Once again, lament and distress dominate these prayers, which now also include a communal voice (e.g., 44; compare 67; 68). The lone psalm attributed to Solomon concludes Book 2 with a look at God’s ideal for Israel’s kings—ultimately pointing to Christ as the final great King of God’s people. |
| Book 3 | Psalms 73–89 | The tone darkens further in Book 3. The opening Psalm 73 starkly questions the justice of God before seeing light in God’s presence. That light has almost escaped the psalmist in Psalm 88, the bleakest of all psalms. Book 2 ended with the high point of royal aspirations; Book 3 concludes in Psalm 89 with these expectations badly threatened. Sharp rays of hope occasionally pierce the darkness (e.g., 75; 85; 87). The brief third book contains most of the psalms of Asaph (73–83), as well as another set of Korah psalms (84–85; 87–88). |
| Book 4 | Psalms 90–106 | Psalm 90 opens the fourth book of the psalms. It may be seen as the first response to the problems raised by Book 3. Psalm 90, attributed to Moses, reminds the worshiper that God was active on Israel’s behalf long before David. This theme is taken up in Psalms 103–106, which summarize God’s dealings with his people before any kings reigned. In between there is a group of psalms (93–100) characterized by the refrain “The LORD reigns.” This truth refutes the doubts of Psalm 89. |
| Book 5 | Psalms 107–150 | The structure of Book 5 reflects the closing petition of Book 4 in 106:47. It declares that God does answer prayer (107) and concludes with five Hallelujah psalms (146–150). In between there are several psalms affirming the validity of the promises to David (110; 132; 144), two collections of Davidic psalms (108–110; 138–145); the longest psalm, celebrating the value of God’s law (119); and 15 psalms of ascent for use by pilgrims to Jerusalem (120–134). |
OT Testimony that All Are under Sin (3:9)
| Romans 3 | OT Reference |
|---|---|
| Sinful Condition | |
| v. 10, none is righteous | Ps. 14:3/53:3; Eccles. 7:20 |
| v. 11a, no one understands | Ps. 14:2/53:2 |
| v. 11b, no one seeks for God | Ps. 14:2/53:2 |
| v. 12, all have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one | Ps. 14:3/53:3 |
| Sinful Speech (note progression from throat to tongue to lips) | |
| v. 13a, b, their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive | Ps. 5:10, Septuagint (English, 5:9) |
| v. 13c, the venom of asps is under their lips | Ps. 140:3 |
| v. 14, their mouth is full of curses and bitterness | Ps. 10:7 |
| Sinful Action | |
| v. 15, their feet are swift to shed blood | Prov. 1:16/Isa. 59:7 |
| v. 16, in their paths are ruin and misery | Isa. 59:7 |
| v. 17, and the way of peace they have not known | Isa. 59:8 |
| Summary Statement | |
| v. 18, there is no fear of God before their eyes | Ps. 36:1 |
Ps. 58:1 You gods (or “mighty lords”; see ESV footnote) can refer to human rulers to whom God gives power (compare Ex. 15:15, “leaders”; Job 41:25, “mighty”; Ezek. 32:21, “chiefs”).
Ps. 58:3–5 The song calls these unjust rulers wicked. This term, when applied to an Israelite, describes someone who does not honor God. They are Israelites who are using their position to squeeze the life out of their fellow Israelites (employing lies as well as “violence,” v. 2). By doing this they destroy the community, every bit as much as the venom of a dangerous serpent destroys the one it bites.
Ps. 58:6 teeth in their mouths, fangs of the young lions. The verse is a prayer that these evildoers may no longer have their present power to do harm.
Psalm Ps. 58. This is a community lament that God’s people sing when they are confronted with injustice among their own rulers. Singing this in worship (1) helps the faithful to pray more earnestly for godly leadership; (2) helps form in the leaders themselves a true moral compass for their leadership; and (3) celebrates the prospect that—one day, sooner or later—God will vindicate his justice in the world, and those who trust him will rejoice exceedingly.
Ps. 58:10–11 God loves to see his creation functioning properly, which is why he loves justice. The righteous may suffer now, but they can know that one day God will bring justice in the world (see Gal. 6:9).
Fact: Pride
Pride (59:12) is the opposite of humility. It means putting excessive confidence in one’s own abilities, wealth, or position. Pride causes a person to crave the glory and honor that belong only to God.
Psalm Ps. 59. This is an individual lament, seeking God’s protection from enemies who threaten the faithful person’s life. The title connects the psalm to 1 Sam. 19:11, where David escaped from Saul’s men through a window. The psalm is geared for the particular case in which the hostility is “for no fault of mine” (Ps. 59:4). The song has two sections (vv. 1–10, 11–17). The first section is a cry for help, and the second section expresses confidence that God will protect the singer.
Ps. 59:11–17 The basic request is that God will bring judgment on these people in such a way that all people, both in Israel (my people, v. 11) and elsewhere (to the ends of the earth, v. 13), may know that a just, loving, and mighty God rules over Jacob and protects his faithful.
Fact: Banners
Banners served as battle flags in ancient wars. Attached to poles, they were used to signal troop movements or to serve as rallying points. Banners could be actual flags or they could be carved figures, often depicting a bird or animal. Each of the Israelite tribes may have had a banner to help organize the mass exodus out of Sinai. In Psalm 60:4, the banner is a symbol of God’s protection over those who trust him.
Ps. 60:1–5 rejected. The community believes God has treated them as if they were not his own people. They refer to themselves as your beloved. This is why the complaint is so touching, and why they may confidently pray for restoration. The salvation that they pray for is military success, so that Israel can be a blessing to the rest of the world.
Ps. 60:6–8 God has spoken. The places mentioned in vv. 6–7 (Shechem, Succoth, Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Judah) are all parts of the land that God promised to Israel. The places in v. 8 (Moab, Edom, Philistia) are neighboring lands, which also belong to the Lord (see Ex. 19:5). Israel exists to bring blessing to the Gentiles. In David’s time this normally happened as these nations came under Israelite control (see note on Psalm 2). Thus the military campaign is seen as part of Israel’s mission to the world.
Psalm Ps. 60. This is a lament for the whole community of Israel at a time when their continued life in the land is being threatened by Gentile neighbors. The title says it is “for instruction.” Perhaps this means that it is to instruct the people how to pray when their troops must fight. The title seems to link the psalm with the events of 2 Sam. 8:1–14.
Ps. 61:1–3 As the congregation sings this, they imagine themselves in all kinds of places (the end of the earth) and circumstances (when my heart is faint) in which they feel needy and in danger. In such times, God is a reliable refuge and strong tower.
Fact: A sanctuary and a rock?
A sanctuary and a rock? Elsewhere in Scripture, the Lord is described as a “rock” that provides a place of “sanctuary” or “refuge” (see Ps. 61:2–3). Here, however, he is a “sanctuary” for his people but a “rock” over which his enemies will stumble (Isa. 8:14; compare Rom. 9:33).
Ps. 61:4 To dwell in God’s tent is to be his welcome guest in worship (see 23:6; 27:4).
Ps. 61:6–7 If God will prolong the life of the king, and appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him (see Prov. 20:28), then God’s people may rest secure in his blessing.
Psalm Ps. 61. This psalm could be considered both an individual lament and a communal lament. It asks for God’s help in times of trouble. Verses 6–7 tie royal well-being to the well-being of the whole people. Verse 8 looks forward to acts of public worship as the proper reaction to the help for which the psalm prays.
Ps. 62:1–2 God alone. God is the only reliable hope. The psalm contrasts God’s salvation and the kind that comes through unjust means (see v. 10, “put no trust in extortion”).
Ps. 62:3–4 The next section speaks to those who attack a man, particularly through lies and injustice. The question how long is not asking for information but is expressing despair (compare 13:1).
Ps. 62:8–10 After speaking to his own soul (vv. 5–7), the singer now addresses the whole congregation (O people). He urges them to trust in God and to find in him a refuge. They should refuse to participate in the methods of the attackers (put no trust in extortion). Humans are together lighter than a breath, so any merely human effort will fail to achieve lasting good.
Psalm Ps. 62. God’s people sing this psalm for encouragement as they are oppressed by powerful, wealthy people. In such a situation, it would be easy to despair, or else to seek security in power and wealth rather than in God.
Ps. 62:11–12 To say once . . . twice is to indicate that the idea is certain. God has the power to carry out his will, and because of his steadfast love, his people can trust him to do that.
Ps. 62:12 render to a man according to his work. In the final judgment, believers’ deeds will show the reality of their faith (see Matt. 12:33–37; 16:27; John 5:28–29; James 1:12; Rev. 20:13).
Ps. 63:1–2 The song opens with passionate expressions of longing for God: earnestly I seek, my soul thirsts, my flesh faints. The singer misses his experience of God in public worship. The sanctuary is the place of corporate worship, and God’s glory is his special presence there with his people (see note on 26:4–8).
Ps. 63:3–4 The past tense remembering of v. 2 becomes a future expectation: my lips will praise you, I will bless you, I will lift up my hands. This happens because your steadfast love is better than life.
Ps. 63:6 in the watches of the night. The singer deals with sleeplessness by meditating on God.
Ps. 63:10 The enemies of God’s people will become a portion for jackals, a grim description of dead bodies lying unburied after a battle.
Psalm Ps. 63. This psalm opens as if it were a lament, yet it is mainly a song of confident expectation. The psalm helps God’s people gain confidence during times of trouble. It expresses confidence that they will be able to return to the sanctuary to worship God. The highest privilege a human can enjoy is to be a welcome member of the worshiping congregation. The references to “my soul” (vv. 1, 5, 8) express personal devotion to God.
Ps. 63:9–11 The song explains where the troubles came from: those who seek to destroy my life. For David, these were Israelites who rebelled against God’s choice of David as king (see the title). David, and those who respect his kingship, will not fall prey to these enemies but will rejoice in God.
Ps. 64:1–6 The psalmist makes three requests (hear my voice, preserve my life, hide me) and describes his enemies and their wicked schemes. The enemy is made up of wicked people (v. 2) who use bitter words (vv. 3–4), which become snares (v. 5). This could be referring either to lies that cause disagreement or slander that destroys reputations.
Psalm Ps. 64. This individual lament shares with Psalm 63 a confidence in God’s victory over those who bring troubles on the righteous. The psalm has two parts: a request for help against deadly schemes (64:1–6), and confident expectation that God will fight on behalf of his faithful (vv. 7–10). God gives victory as instruction for mankind (v. 9) and to bring joy to the godly (v. 10).
Ps. 64:7–10 Those who shoot their bitter words like arrows aimed at the innocent (vv. 3–4) will find that God shoots his arrow at them. God brings them down as they deserve (v. 8), with their own tongues turned against them. The people see what God has done, and it makes them think about who he is (all mankind fears).
65:1–4 These verses describe public worship at the central sanctuary. They celebrate God’s unlimited kindness and mercy to his people (you atone for our transgressions). The holiness of God’s temple brings delight to his people.
Ps. 65:5–8 This section recalls the awesome deeds God has done for his people. The special focus is creation, which ties in well with the celebration of a fruitful harvest. The OT often expresses the truth that God as Creator is the hope of all the ends of the earth. He is the one true God whom all mankind should worship.
Psalm Ps. 65. This is a thanksgiving for a fruitful harvest (vv. 9–13), which has come because of God’s faithfulness to his covenant promises (vv. 1–8).
Ps. 65:9–13 The psalmist imagines what the ground itself would feel under God’s blessing. This is a land producing abundantly for man and beast.
Why does God keep my tears in a bottle?
Listen NowDive Deeper | Psalm 58-65
Have you ever felt rejected by God? The psalmist certainly did, as he writes in Psalm 60:10a, "Have you not rejected us, O God?"
As I write, I am thinking about a recent season in my life when I struggled to understand what God was doing. I asked questions such as, "Why would God allow this? Where is He in all of this? And why me?"
Can you relate to questions like these? How should people who know God and believe in the goodness of His character respond to unforeseen or undesirable circumstances?
The psalmist answers his own question in Psalm 60:11b-12, when he states, "[V]ain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly . . . ." No matter how valiant our attempts to prevent or change difficult circumstances, we are unable to save ourselves from brokenness in this life. God is our greatest hope.
My husband and I enjoy Christian Hip Hop. One of our favorite artists, KB, sold a shirt that had these words on it: "God will turn this pain into something beautiful." These words remind me of Ecclesiastes 3:11a, which states, "He has made everything beautiful in its time." Just as the psalmist declared his victory before he experienced it, we can declare our victory in Christ while we're still going through hard and painful times. Why? Because He WILL restore His broken creation. He will make all things right, good, beautiful, and victorious in His perfect timing.
For those of us in Christ, we can be sure that God has not rejected us, even when He had every right to do so. Instead, our God chose us, loved us, and gave us eternal hope when we deserved His rejection (Romans 5:8). The same love that took Him to the cross is the same love that pursues us even in life's hardest circumstances.
It is the certainty we have in Christ that allows us to confidently trust God's character even in difficult circumstances. This certainty allows us to respond with worship in spite of the pain.
This month's memory verse
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."
– Psalm 119:9-11
Discussion Questions
1. What situations in life have made you question God's plan, goodness, or care?
2. When you have found yourself in undesirable and unforeseen circumstances, what has helped you to get through them?
3. How do painful circumstances in this life remind you of the eternal hope you have in Christ?