Psalms 60:1

Psalms 60:1 says, To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand.  As with many of the psalms, there is a specific introduction telling what the psalm was about, then verse one says, O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again. David said God had cast the people of Israel off and scattered them.  This was because of their disobedience.  If we as a nation that is called a Christian nation turn our back on God, we should not be surprised if He allows us to be scattered.  Verse two adds, Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.  David said God had caused the earth to tremble, and asked Him to heal it.  We hear of more and more natural disasters today, and it may be that God is trying to shake the world out of its sin and get them to turn to Him in faith.  Verse three continues, Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.  David said God had shown His people hard things and God may be doing the same thing with Christians today.  He may leave us astonished at some of the things that are going on in the world today because we do not put our faith in God and follow His will. Verse four concludes, Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.  As David said, God has given us a banner of truth to be displayed in the world today, and that truth is that Jesus Christ died for the sins of everyone and that every person who puts their faith in Him will be saved.  Verse five states, That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.  David asked God to save His people and to hear his prayers.   As followers of Christ, God has already saved us forever, and He will always hear our prayers.   Even if we are defeated physically, we have already been given everlasting life as Christians, so we need to simply remain faithful to God.  Verse six adds, God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.  David said that since God had spoken in His holiness that he would obey God.  Anytime God speaks to us, it is out of His holiness and we need to acknowledge and follow His word.  Verse seven declares, Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;  Verse eight continues, Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.  David said that God's people would once again triumph over their enemies because God was with them.  If we are feeling spiritually defeated today, we must turn to God with faith in Him no matter what is happening in our life.  Verse nine asks, Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?  David was asking what other countries could he depend on to help him.  Verse ten adds, Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies?  David then asked if it were not God alone that they could depend on to help them defeat their enemies as He had in the past.   If we are feeling spiritually defeated today as followers of Christ, we need to ask Him to help us as He has in the past.  Verse eleven continues, Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.  David stated that only God could help them because faith in mankind was of no value.  We should never look to the people of the world for deliverance in times of trouble, but must look to God alone. Verse twelve concludes, Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.  David said that it was through faith in God that the people of Israel, God's chosen people, would be delivered.   It is through faith in Jesus Christ alone that we will be delivered to everlasting victory today.