Psalms in Poetic Form: Psalm 60

Click here to read PSALM 60 in poetic form

Background

This Psalm has the title “Michtam,” which literally means an engraving. Psalms 56 through 60 all begin with this title. It is first seen in its only other occurrence—Psalm 16. All six of these titles deal with the Messiah’s death and resurrection.

These six Psalms are “engravings” in that they are established and will absolutely come to pass. As we have gone through Psalms 56—60, we have seen the absolute certainty of God rescuing David from his enemies, and also of David’s conviction that his “son,” the Messiah, would be raised from the dead.

Psalm 60 also has the title “when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand.” E. W. Bullinger makes a great note on this title, showing the detailed accuracy of the Bible. “In II Samuel 8:13, and I Chronicles 18:12, it is David’s and Abishai’s exploit, which was 18,000. Here, it is Joab’s exploit, and his share was 12,000, but he took six months longer in finishing up his task (I Kings 11:15,16).  David’s 22,000 in I Chronicles 18:5 were in a Syrian campaign.”

This Psalm is divided into two sections by the Hebrew term “Selah,” which means to pause. Some Bible teachers say this connected the truths that come before and after the term.

Structure

(Verses 1-4) The evil situation of God’s people

Pause

(Verses 5-12) God’s help brings victory through His “lawgiver,” the Messiah

Key Scriptures

Verse 7—“Ephraim also is the strength of mine head.” Even though Manasseh was Joseph’s eldest son, Jacob gave his blessing to Ephraim (Genesis 48). The name Ephraim means “fruitful” and is found 176 times in the Bible. It is often associated with strength and prosperity.

Verse 7—“Judah is my lawgiver.” One of the Messiah’s great titles is lawgiver. This refers back to another blessing that Jacob gave, shortly after meeting with Joseph to bless Ephraim and Manasseh. Genesis 49:10 records Jacob’s blessing to Judah: “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh [tranquility] come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” This promise of a ruler from Judah was fulfilled in David and in David’s “son,” Jesus Christ. The Messiah was also a prophet like unto Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 3:22; 7:37). Moses is called the “lawgiver” in Numbers 21:18.

Verse 8—“Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe.” The washpot was associated with cleaning a traveler’s feet, and a shoe was often “cast” toward a lowly footwasher. Foot washing was a necessary part of Biblical life after a day of walking on dusty paths. It symbolized refreshment, and only a lowly servant would wash a stranger’s feet. Only in a very special situation would a host wash his friends’ feet—as Jesus did with his disciples shortly before his death (see Genesis 18:4; 19:2; 24:32; I Samuel 25:41; II Samuel 11:8; Psalms 58:10; Luke 7:38; John 13:5,6,8,10,14).

Verse 12—“Through God we shall do valiantly.” Jesus Christ was the bravest and most valiant man who ever lived. And he taught others to “fear not” (Luke 5:10; 8:50; 12:7,32).

FOR FURTHER STUDY

All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!

The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.