Psalm 60 – A Prayer after Defeat in Battle

For the leader. On shushan eduth. A michtam of David (for teaching), when he fought with Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and defeated twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

60 O God, you have spurned and broken us,

routing us in your wrath – restore us!

2 You have shaken the land and cleft it;

heal its tottering breaches.

3 You have made your people drink hardship,

and given us wine of reeling.

4 You have given those who fear you a banner,

a rallying-place from the bow, Selah

5 for the rescue of your beloved.

Save by your right hand and answer us.

6 God did solemnly swear:

‘As victor will I divide Shechem,

and mete out the valley of Succoth.

7 Mine is Gilead, mine is Manasseh,

Ephraim is the defence of my head,

Judah my sceptre of rule,

8 Moab the pot that I wash in,

Edom – I cast my shoe over it,

I shout o’er Philistia in triumph.’

9 O to be brought to the fortified city!

O to be led into Edom!

10 Have you not spurned us, O God?

You do not march forth with our armies.

11 Grant us help from the foe,

for human help is worthless.

12 With God we shall yet do bravely:

he himself will tread down our foes.