YAHWEH, Thou hast rejected us, hast broken us down; Thou wast angry and didst turn us backward; Thou didst shake the land, didst cleave it: Thou hast made us drink wine of staggering. That they might betake themselves to flight (because of (Thy) faithfulness). THAT Thy beloved people may be delivered, O give victory with Thy right hand and answer us; Thou Yahweh, who didst reject us (and put us to shame), And wentest not forth with our hosts. O GIVE us help because of straits, For vain is the victory of man. Through Yahweh let us do valiantly, And He will tread down our adversaries. Ps. 60 is composite. (B) v.36, 2 Str. 43, continued in v.7. 12b-14, 2 Str. 48. This has taken up into its midst an older Ps. (A), v.8-12a, 4 Str. 33. V.7-14 is also contained in the composite Ps. 108, which begins with 578-12. As 108 uses the composite Ps. 60, it was composed subsequent to that composition. Ps. 108 cited 57, 60, from E, and not from the original group of an, for the divine name is as throughout. It is therefore unlikely that 108 was in . The of the title is due to the recognition of the fact that the two original Pss. out of which it was constructed were in D. Ps. 108 was not in DR, but 60 was, and probably already as composite when it received the musical assignment by (v. Intr. §§ 27, 32, 33, 34). The original on (v. Intr. § 25) was only (4), which is antique in its language and style. The term is prob. original. It reminds one of the dirge 2 S. 117 sq. and possibly was also in the Book of Yashar. To it alone the historical reference בהצותו את ארם נהרים ואת־ארם צובה וישב יואב ויך את אדום בגיא מלח :can apply When he strove with Aram Naharaim and with Aram Zoba, when Joab returned and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. Cf. 2 S. 813 sq. 1016 sq. 1 C. 1812 sq. 196 sq.. The variation in number is prob. due to a corruption of text. But while this Ps. is undoubtedly ancient and might go back to the time of David, yet it is too general to refer to this defeat of Edom (or rather DN as 2 S. 10), and is an oracle as to the triumph over the lesser neighbours, Aram not being mentioned. (B) was a Ps. of different structure and date. It was a petition for divine interposition after humiliating defeat of the armies of Israel. V. resembles Je. 4o, v.5 Is. 5117. 22. It probably refers to the defeat of the armies of Judah by the Babylonians, reducing them to a desperate situation. It reminds us of parts of Pss. 44 and 89, and may express the feelings of the companions of Jehoiachin. PSALM LX. A. Str. I. a tristich having a syn. couplet synth. to the first line. 8. Yahweh spake in His sanctuary], so 6, 3, referring to the sacred place of the divine presence, where the oracle of Yahweh was given; and not, "in" or "by His holiness," of EV'. suggesting a divine oath, as Am. 42 Ps. 896. This oracle goes back to the original conquest of the land. I will exult], in triumph over the inhabitants of the land. Yahweh speaks as the supreme commander of His people, cf. Ps. 247-10 Is. 631-6. — I will divide], the conquered land among the tribes, || will I mete out, the measurement in connection with the division. - Shechem, at the foot of Mt. Gerizim, the chief gathering place in the time of Joshua, stands for the country west of the Jordan, cf. Josh. 24'. The Valley of Succoth], in the valley of the Jordan on the eastern side, near the Jabbok (S. Merrill, East of Jordan, 385 sq.), stands for the country east of the Jordan; possibly with a reminiscence of the two chief places mentioned in the story of the return of Jacob from Haran to Canaan, Gen. 3317-20. Str. II. is a syn. tristich.-9. Gilead, as distinguished from Manasseh, must indicate with it the two chief divisions east of the Jordan, as Ephraim and Judah, the two chief divisions on the west. Accordingly Gilead, here, is for the southern portion assigned to Reuben and Gad, Nu. 321-29, and Manasseh, the northern portion, or the land of Bashan. These, says Yahweh, are Mine], that is, my possession, my land. Ephraim is the defence of My head], the helmet defending the head from the blows of an enemy, in per sonal combat in battle. Judah is My commander's staff], as Gn. 4910; not the " sceptre," RV., which implies royalty, nor the "lawgiver," PBV., AV., which implies government; but the baton, the symbol of military authority, with which the commander directs the movements of his army and points them to victory. Str. III. is also a syn. tristich, referring to the three hostile neighbours who are conceived as subjugated.-10. Moab is My washpot]. Moab was the troublesome neighbor of Israel, occupying the region east of the Dead Sea. He is to be so reduced that he becomes the wash basin which is carried by a slave to pour water over his master's hands or feet. Unto Edom will I cast My sandal]. Edom, the troublesome neighbour of Judah, on the southeast, was also so reduced as to become another slave to whom the master kicks off the sandals when he would have them removed to wash his feet. This is better than EV. "over" or "upon Edom," as though it were a symbol of the taking possession of the land by conquest. · Over Philistia will I shout in victory]. The relations between the Philistines and Israel were those of mutually respecting warlike neighbours. There is nothing ignominious therefore in the reference to them. They are defeated, and there is rejoicing in the victory. MT. and Vrss., by a mistake of a vowel point here, but not in 1080, compel various other renderings, none of which suit the context or give a satisfactory meaning. Str. IV. has a syn. couplet with a synth. line in climax. 11. O that one would], expression of a wish to enjoy the triumph promised in the oracle cited above, and not a simple question, "who will" of EV. — conduct me || lead me], that is, in victorious entry into the entrenched city, the chief fortification and defence, which being captured, Edom itself would come into possession of the conquerors. 12a. Wilt not Thou Yahweh? This question implies an affirmative answer in accordance with the promise of the oracle, and therefore an appropriate climax and conclusion of this ancient Ps. PSALM LX. B. Str. I. has a syn. tetrastich. 3. Thou hast rejected us], cf. 432 4424; refused to go with us, or be with us, or help us in war. || Thou wast angry], the reason of the rejection. As a result of this: Thou hast broken us down]. The army, which should have stood like a wall in defence of the nation, has been broken down, so that it can no longer resist the onset of the enemy. — didst turn us backward] in defeat, compelling a disastrous retreat. This meaning is most suited to the context, cf. 44". The Hebrew text is capable of various other renderings which are followed in Vrss. and interpreters, the most probable of which is, “O restore us again." Such a petition, however, comes in too abruptly into the text, and does not suit the context, which continues the description of the divine discipline of the people. It is quite possible, however, that this meaning was designed by the final editor of for liturgical reasons.-4. Thou didst shake the land]. The national disaster is compared to an earthquake, cf. 463. 6 Is. 2418 sq. -Thou didst cleave it]. The metaphor is continued. As the earthquake cleaves the land by making rents and cracks in the solid ground, so the nation is all broken up in disorder and confusion. Its breach doth sink down]. The walls of defence have been breacned, and the breach sinks down, — it doth totter], and is about to fall down in a mass of ruins. The poet is here describing a great national disaster within his own experience. - Str. II. has a syn. couplet and a synth. couplet.-5. The hard things], the people of Yahweh are seeing are the sad experiences of defeat, disaster, death in battle, captivity, humiliation, and shame.wine of staggering]. They are so overwhelmed with dismay and panic by this unexpected situation that they are dazed, they stagger as if intoxicated, cf. Is. 5117. 22. At the same time they know that Yahweh has made them see these things, and He has given them this cup to drink, cf. 80o. — 6. A sign to them that fear Thee Thou hast given]. Yahweh distinguishes the God-fearing in the midst of this disaster, and gives them a sign or signal, which enables them to escape in time. - that they might betake themselves to flight]. This rendering, sustained by G, I, is suited to the context and greatly to be preferred to that of AV., RV., based on Aq., T: "that it (the banner) may be displayed," which gives a victory to the God-fearing that does not at all suit the context. It is quite possible, however, that for liturgical reasons the clause was given this turn in the traditions of synagogue use. Because of Thy faithfulness]. This is a conjectural emendation of the text, in accordance with the context. It is at the basis of the rendering of Aq., T, EV'.," because of the truth." But 6, 3, V, RV.", "before the bow" is preferred by most. - Str. III. v.7. 12 has a synth. and a syn. couplet separated by the insertion of v.8-12a-7. That Thy beloved people may be delivered]. The purpose is placed before the imv. for emphasis. The people of Yahweh are named beloved, because they are the special objects of His love, notwithstanding the disasters He has brought upon them. His people cannot think that these can be more than temporary and disciplinary, and that in the end they will be delivered. O give victory with Thy right hand]. The right hand of Yahweh stretched out in behalf of His people is the great instrument of deliverance and victory, cf. 207 219 44 4811+ Ex. 15o. The Hebrew word, which means sometimes "give victory," sometimes "save," should not be generalised here. 12b. Thou Yahweh, who didst reject us], resuming the thought of v.3; the very One who rejected His people, is the only One who can give them the victory. When the two Pss. were pieced together, this line had to be adapted to its context, and was condensed with v.12a so as to give " hast Thou not rejected us." For the same reason the closing vb., and put us to shame, was omitted. It is given, however, in the citation Ps. 4410, and should be restored in Ps. 60 for the sake of the measure and strophical organisation. And wentest not forth with our hosts]. A continuation of the statement of the previous line and explanatory of it. Yahweh was not with the armies of His people; they went into battle without Him. His right hand was not stretched out on their behalf. He was indeed angry with them. That was the reason for their defeat. The prayer for victory implies that Yahweh might go forth with the armies of His people and as their chieftain again stretch forth His hand against their enemies. Str. IV. has two syn. couplets.-13. O give us help], a renewal of the prayer for victory of the previous Str. because of straits]. This interpretation of 6, 3, PBV., AV., is most probable, as it corresponds with the thought of the previous Str.; although the rendering of RV. "against the adversary," favoured by many moderns, is possible. For vain is the victory of man]. Victory |