Psalm 60

The Voice

Psalm 60

For the worship leader. A prayer^[a] of David after his victory over the Arameans, Joab’s return, and the striking down of 12,000 Edomites in the valley of Salt. A song for instruction to the tune “A Lily Reminds Us.”^[b]

This is a communal lament recalling David’s battles with Zobah and Naharaim from Aram (Syria) and Joab’s victory over the Edomites (2 Samuel 8).

¹God, You have turned away from us;
    You have shattered us into a million tiny pieces;
    You have boiled with anger.
    Now put us back together, and refresh us with Your mercy.
²You have made the earth shake; You have cracked it open effortlessly.
    Heal the fissures in the earth, for it is unsteady.
³You have caused Your people to suffer;
    You have provided us with wine that makes us stagger.

⁴You have unfurled a banner for those who revere You,
a signal to gather in safety out of the enemy’s reach.

[pause]^[c]

⁵So that Your treasured ones may be saved,
rescue us with Your right hand, and answer our pleas!

⁶God’s voice has been heard in His holy sanctuary:
    “I will celebrate; I will allocate Shechem
    and the Succoth Valley to My people.
⁷Gilead belongs to Me, and so does Manasseh;
    Ephraim is the helmet that protects My head;
    Judah is the scepter through which I rule;
⁸Moab is the washpot in which I rinse My feet.
    I will throw My shoe over Edom in conquest;
    prepare for My victory, Philistia. Cry out because of Me!”

⁹But who will take me into the fortified city?
    Who will lead me into Edom?
¹⁰Have You not turned Your back on us, O God?
    Will You stay away and not accompany our armies, O God?
¹¹Help us against our enemy; we need Your help!
    It’s useless to trust in the hand of man for liberation.
¹²Only through God can we be successful.
    It is God alone who will defeat our enemies and bring us victory!

Footnotes

60:title Hebrew, miktam, meaning is uncertain.
60:title Hebrew, shushan eduth, meaning is uncertain.
60:4 Literally, selah, likely a musical direction from a Hebrew root meaning “to lift up”

Psalm 60

New International Version

Psalm 60^[a]^(A)

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A miktam^[b] of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim^[c] and Aram Zobah,^[d] and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.^(B)

¹You have rejected us,^(C) God, and burst upon us;
    you have been angry^(D)—now restore us!^(E)
²You have shaken the land^(F) and torn it open;
    mend its fractures,^(G) for it is quaking.
³You have shown your people desperate times;^(H)
    you have given us wine that makes us stagger.^(I)
⁴But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner^(J)
    to be unfurled against the bow.^[e]

⁵Save us and help us with your right hand,^(K)
    that those you love^(L) may be delivered.
⁶God has spoken from his sanctuary:
    “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem^(M)
    and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.^(N)
⁷Gilead^(O) is mine, and Manasseh is mine;
    Ephraim^(P) is my helmet,
    Judah^(Q) is my scepter.^(R)
⁸Moab is my washbasin,
    on Edom I toss my sandal;
    over Philistia I shout in triumph.^(S)”

⁹Who will bring me to the fortified city?
    Who will lead me to Edom?
¹⁰Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us
    and no longer go out with our armies?^(T)
¹¹Give us aid against the enemy,
    for human help is worthless.^(U)
¹²With God we will gain the victory,
    and he will trample down our enemies.^(V)

Footnotes

Psalm 60:1 In Hebrew texts 60:1-12 is numbered 60:3-14.
Psalm 60:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
Psalm 60:1 Title: That is, Arameans of Northwest Mesopotamia
Psalm 60:1 Title: That is, Arameans of central Syria
Psalm 60:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

The Voice (VOICE)

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 60

The Voice

Psalm 60

For the worship leader. A prayer^[a] of David after his victory over the Arameans, Joab’s return, and the striking down of 12,000 Edomites in the valley of Salt. A song for instruction to the tune “A Lily Reminds Us.”^[b]

Footnotes

Psalm 60

New International Version

Psalm 60^[a]^(A)

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A miktam^[b] of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim^[c] and Aram Zobah,^[d] and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.^(B)

Footnotes

Cross references

More on the NIV

Psalm 60 The Voice

Psalm 60

For the worship leader. A prayer[a] of David after his victory over the Arameans, Joab’s return, and the striking down of 12,000 Edomites in the valley of Salt. A song for instruction to the tune “A Lily Reminds Us.”[b]

Footnotes

Psalm 60 New International Version

Psalm 60[a](A)

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A miktam[b] of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim[c] and Aram Zobah,[d] and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.(B)

Footnotes

Cross references

More on the NIV

Psalm 60

The Voice

For the worship leader. A prayer^[a] of David after his victory over the Arameans, Joab’s return, and the striking down of 12,000 Edomites in the valley of Salt. A song for instruction to the tune “A Lily Reminds Us.”^[b]

Psalm 60

New International Version

Psalm 60^[a]^(A)

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A miktam^[b] of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim^[c] and Aram Zobah,^[d] and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.^(B)