Salmos 60
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Salmos 60:1-5
60:1-3 This strophe describes how the psalmist perceives his/Israel's relationship with YHWH. He has rejected us – BDB 276, KB 276, Qal PERFECT, cf. Ps. 44:9,23; 74:1; 77:7; 108:11 He has broken us – BDB 829, KB 971, Qal PERFECT, possibly related to a breach in a defensive wall He has been angry – BDB 60, KB 72, Qal PERFECT He has made their land quake – BDB 950, KB 1271, Hiphil PERFECT He has made the land split open – BDB 822, KB 954, Qal PERFECT, rare word, only here and a related form (i.e., Arabic root) in Jer. 22:14, where it is translated "cut out" or "break open" He made His people experience hardship – BDB 906, KB 1157, Hiphil PERFECT He gave them wine to drink (i.e., cause drunkenness and staggering) – BDB 1052, KB 1639, Hiphil PERFECT, the cup might be for the nations (cf. Jer. 25:16-26), is now given to the covenant people with the same effect (cf. Isa. 51:17,22) Notice that all the VERBS are PERFECTS, which denotes a settled condition. In light of this the psalmist prays that God will restore us – BDB 996, KB 1427, Polel IMPERFECT, cf. Ps. 80:3,7,19; 85:4; 126:1; Lam. 5:21 heal (i.e., "restore," NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 1163) the land – BDB 950, KB 1272, Qal IMPERATIVE, cf. 2 Chr. 7:14; this may refer to the breach in the wall of Ps. 60:1a It must be stated that all of these prayer requests for God's help, protection, deliverance are based on His people's faith and lifestyle (cf. 2 Chr. 6:37-39). All God's promises (except for the ones connected to Messiah and His ministry) are conditional (i.e., "if. . .then"). SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S COVENANT REQUIREMENTS OF ISRAEL 60:1 The rejection by God (cf. Ps. 60:1,10) of His people (cf. Ps. 60:3,5) is shocking! We must remember that God had a purpose for Israel. She was to be a mechanism for the worldwide revelation of God's character and purposes (see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN, cf. Ezek. 36:22-36). This demanded faithful covenant obedience (cf. 1 Chr. 28:9). Because of the Fall of Genesis 3 they could not; judgment was the only option (cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27-30). ▣ "in His holiness" This phrase in Ps. 60:6 is a powerful reminder of the character of God that He wants His people to emulate and model for the nations (see SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD [OT]). A new approach was necessary. This new approach is called "the new covenant" (cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-36), which the NT clarifies as the gospel of Jesus Christ. SPECIAL TOPIC: HOLY SPECIAL TOPIC: HOLY ONE ▣ "You have been angry" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ANTHROPOMORPHIC LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE GOD, I. C. #2 ▣ "O" This VOCATIVE in the NASB in line 2 refers to the name for God in line 1., "O God," which is Elohim. SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C. 60:2a This imagery could relate to YHWH coming to His creation which causes it to convulse (i.e., Jdgs. 5:4-5; Ps. 18:7; 68:8; Isa. 13:13; Hag. 2:6) the second part of line 1, "split," may refer to a breach in the walls of Jerusalem allowing foreign soldiers to enter the city (cf. 60:2b) 60:3b This is imagery of a drunk person, which was used of confusion, ineffective defense (i.e., Isa. 51:17-20 and Jer. 25:15-29). The Bible always condemns drunkenness. SPECIAL TOPIC: WINE SPECIAL TOPIC: CUP 60:4-5 To me this should be a separate strophe (cf. NKJV, NRSV). The SUBJECT changes from Ps. 60:1-3. This strophe describes YHWH's actions on behalf of Israel. He has given those who revere Him a banner (BDB 651, i.e., a visible sign or way to communicate, cf. Exod. 17:15; Isa. 5:26; 11:12; 13:2; Ps. 20:5); this could be a negative (i.e., flee) or positive (i.e., rally to) expression. He wants it displayed to communicate Himself (i.e., the truth; the Hebrew consonants קשׁט can mean "of the bow" or "truth," BDB 905; UBS Text Project support "of the bow" with a "B" rating (some doubt); the NRSV, NJB, NET Bible; REB support this choice but NKJV and JPSOA have "truth." The word for "bow" has an added vowel only here. The point seems to be that YHWH is providing some support to Israel by His presence with them in battle. 60:4 "a banner" /this word (BDB 651, KB 701) has several uses. a national flag of military victory ‒ Ps. 20:5 a warniang sign ‒ Num. 26:10 a rallying place during battle a symbol of the inclusion of the nations (after judgment) ‒ Isa. 5:26; 11:12; 13:2 in this context it is related to the covenant people's hope (i.e., YHWH's presence) the truth of YHWH's revelation (LXX, Peshitta, and Vulgate, cf. Pro. 22:31; the MT has "rally to it out of bowship." UBS Text Project supports this with a "B" rating) ▣ "Selah" See notes at Ps. 3:2 and Intro. to Psalms, VII. 60:5-12 This is repeated in Ps. 108:6-13. 60:5 "Your beloved" This ADJECTIVE (BDB 391) is used of YHWH's covenant people (cf. Isa. 5:1; Jer. 11:15; 12:7). It is a strong, passionate description. ▣ This verse has two prayer requests based on Ps. 60:4. save us (MT; Qere "me") – BDB 446, KB 448, Hiphil IMPERATIVE, i.e., by Your actions, cf. Ps. 3:7; 20:9 answer us (MT, Qere "me") – BDB 772, KB 851, Qal IMPERATIVE The UBS Text Project (p. 277) gives the MT's "us" a "C" rating (considerable doubt). The PLURAL is in Ps. 60:10 and 11. ▣ "Your right hand" This is a Hebrew idiom of power and effective action (cf. Exod. 15:6; Ps. 17:7; 44:3; 98:1; 108:6; 138:7; 139:10. SPECIAL TOPIC: HAND
Salmos 60:6-8
60:6-8 This strophe extols YHWH's sovereignty (or "holiness," BDB 871; see SPECIAL TOPIC: HOLY, or possibly "in His sanctuary," JPSOA) over the nations (cf. Deut. 32:8). These verses are repeated in Ps. 108:6-13, which means it may have been part of temple liturgy. It may be connected to Exod. 15:14-17. YHWH Himself speaks (i.e., "God has spoken" – BDB 180, KB 210, Piel PERFECT). I will exult – BDB 759, KB 831, Qal COHORTATIVE I will portion out – BDB 323, KB 322, Piel COHORTATIVE I will measure out – BDB 551, KB 547, Piel IMPERFECT used in a COHORTATIVE sense "is mine" same as #4 "is the helmet of My head" "is My scepter" "over I shall throw my shoe" (i.e., an idiom of contempt or ownership, cf. Ruth 4:7) "shout loud, because of Me" (possibly should be, "over Philistia I will shout aloud," like Ps. 108:9c) Notice the place names are all in the tribal allocations of Joshua 12-19. one city – Shechem one valley – valley of Succoth one area – Gilead three tribes – Manasseh, Ephraim, Judah (for Judah as scepter see Gen. 49:10) three defeated Canaanite nations – Moab, Edom, Philistia SPECIAL TOPIC: MOAB SPECIAL TOPIC: EDOM AND ISRAEL SPECIAL TOPIC: PHILISTINES
Salmos 60:9-12
60:9-12 This strophe speaks of the impossibility of military victories without YHWH's help and presence (i.e., Holy War). Ps. 60:9 asks the military question Ps. 60:10 asserts the spiritual reality (i.e., Holy War) that unless YHWH goes before Israel's army, no victory is possible, cf. Ps. 44:9; 108:11 Ps. 60:11 asserts the physical reality that military victory by humans is vain and fleeting Ps. 60:12 asserts that only with YHWH can there be victory, cf. Deut. 20:1; 1 Sam.17:45,47; Ps. 20:7; 22:16-17; 44:1-3,5-7; 146:3; Zech. 4:6). This is referring to the victory of God's purposes in Israel as a light to the nations, not just a conqueror. The whole point of these assertions is the question of Ps. 60:10, "Have You, Yourself, O God, rejected us?" (i.e., conditional covenant known as "the two ways," cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27-30; Psalm 1; the Mosaic covenant is conditional; see SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT). Unless He gives help there is no hope (Ps. 60:11b). If He does, there will be victory (Ps. 60:12), both for God's purpose and Israel's security and peace. SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN