Journey through the Psalms

This is a lament Psalm. David first speaks for himself giving full vent to His pain and emotions, then he addresses God, and last his enemies. As with most lament Psalms, this Psalm ends with a declared confidence in God resulting in hope.

This Psalm is a morning prayer with requests for protection and provision. Morning prayers were an important part of ancient near Easter culture which boasted many Gods (polytheism) and a way for an adherent to faithfully acknowledge the deity he or she served - hence “my God and King” (2).

This Psalm deals with deep emotions and pain.David has been exiled from His city, Jerusalem, and is on the run from his son, Absalom. Many of David’s subjects, “friends,” and even advisers have turned against him. David is having a very bad day (more like season). In the midst of His pain, David commits his very real emotions to God’s care.

This Psalm is squarely centered on God’s deliverance.Key to the understanding of this Psalm is the context. David was being chased by his son Absalom which was part of God’s disciplinary action toward David for David’s affair with Bathsheba and murder of Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah.

This psalm is messianic, referring to the advent of the Jewish Messiah who will be preceded by the wars of Gog and Magog. In this vein, the "king" of Psalm 2 is interpreted not as David but as the future King Messiah from the Davidic line, who will restore Israel to its former glory and bring world peace.

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

At first read, is difficult to understand where David is coming from. David’s army experienced a victory in battle, and yet, he pens this lament Psalm that feels all but victorious. David writes Psalm 60 in the midst of the battle. The battle is not going their way. They are feeling defeated, broken and rejected by God. David writes these words to teach and inspire his men. He reminds them of God’s promise to give this land to them. He reminds them that victory is the Lord’s.