Psalms 60

To the chief Musician, upon Shushan-eduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand.

Commentators have found some difficulty in harmonizing the title of this psalm with the historic statements of 2 Samuel 8:13 and 1 Chronicles 18:12. Some links in the brief narrative are wanting, but thus much is evident: that during David’s Syrian wars Edom not only attacked Judah on the south, but probably ravaged and committed great barbarities along the border. To repel this invasion it would seem Joab was sent with a detachment of the northern army, (see title of this psalm,) after which another bloody engagement was had under Abishai’s command, (see 1 Chronicles 18:12,) and David, as king and commander in chief of the army, may be said to have done what his generals had done by his order. See 2 Samuel 8:13. Evidently several battles were fought. But the psalm is not a triumphal song, but a complaint; which, however, may be explained by the fact that the first victory was not decisive, and that the great severity of the battles told heavily on David’s army. The psalm was evidently written while the final issue was yet pending, Psalms 60:9-12. See more in the notes, specially the introduction to Psalms 108:0.Verses 1-3 are a bitter complaint at the withdrawal of God, and the terrible shock that had been given to the national cause. Psalms 60:4-7 are a hopeful assurance of God’s favour, grounded on a former oracle respecting the unity of the tribes and the sovereignty of Judah. Psalms 60:8 is a contemptuous figure expressive of the subjugation of Israel’s enemies. Psalms 60:9-12 are an ardent anticipation of a speedy and triumphant completion of the war.

TITLE:

Upon Shushan-eduth Commonly translated, Upon the lily of the testimony. The plural, shoshanim, occurs in the titles of Psalms 45, 69, , 80. But why “shushan” is called lily is not known. Jebb, after Schleusner, translates hexachord, or harp of six strings, and supposes it was called the hexachord of testimony, because its music was first performed before the ark of the testimony at Jerusalem. Others (as Gesenius, De Wette) think the name denotes a lily-shaped instrument, as a trumpet, or perhaps a well known song, after the measure and numbers of which this was to be sung. Furst thinks “Shushan” might be the name of a musical choir whose leader was of that name, and “Eduth” the name of the city where he dwelt, Adithaim, Joshua 15:36. But keeping to the ordinary meaning of the words, the translation first given seems the proper one, and “ shushan-eduth,” or “shushanim-eduth,” most naturally denotes either the instrument or the musical mode of performance.

Michtam of David See on title of Psalms 16:0.

To teach Delitzsch thinks we must take le-lammed, to teach, according to 2 Samuel 1:18, where David “bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow,” in honour of Jonathan. That is, in connexion with this mode of music, (the shushanim-eduth,) they were to practise the military use of the bow. It is “a song at the practice of arms:” and certainly Psalm lx is a most martial song.

Aram-naharaira “Aram” is the Hebrew word for Syria, and “na-haraim” means the two rivers. Syria of the two rivers is the same as Mesopotamia, situated between the rivers Euphrates and Tigris.

Aram-zobah That part of Syria lying north and northeast of Damascus between the Euphrates and the Orontes.

Valley of salt A desert valley, the lower section of the Ghor, south of the Dead Sea, about ten miles wide. Joab and Amaziah both fought decisive battles against the Edomites in this valley. 2 Samuel 12:13; 2 Chronicles 25:11.

Joab returned, and smote See introductory note.