60:title music director See note on 4:title.

according to Shushan Eduth The Hebrew phrase here, shushan eduth, literally means “lily of the testimony.”

A miktam See note on 16:title.

of David See note on 3:title.

To teach This seems to indicate that this psalm was intended to help others learn about Yahweh and his interactions with his people. The psalm inscription seems to be particularly politically charged in comparison to other psalms.

When he fought This title seems to refer to the events of 2 Sam 8:1–14. However, that passage does not mention the kind of defeat described in this psalm. Also, it mentions David striking down 18,000 Edomites rather than Joab striking down 12,000. Even so, the Samuel narrative is probably not meant to be a complete, detailed account of David’s campaigns. First Kings 11:15–16 provides additional detail about Joab remaining in Edom and striking down every male.

David and the Psalm Titles

60:1 You have been angry The psalmist thinks God has rejected His people because of His anger. While God is usually angered by disobedience, the psalmist does not mention disobedience here (compare Deut 29:24–28; see Psa 2:5 and 7:6).

60:2 You have made the land quake God’s rejection—which the psalmist thinks he has experienced—resulted in a military defeat in his view. The psalmist describes this defeat as an earthquake that breaks down a city’s defenses.

60:3 You have given us wine Biblical writers often depict God’s punishment as a cup to be drunk (e.g., 75:8; Isa 51:17; Jer 25:15–16).

60:4 a banner Used as a rallying point for military units (Num 1:52; Song 6:4).

60:5 your right hand Represents God’s power: the source of His protection, blessing (Psa 119:173; Ezra 8:31), and judgment (Ps 32:4; 1 Sam 5:6).

60:6 in his holiness The word qodesh used here probably refers to God’s sanctuary—His “holy place”—because He speaks from His sanctuary (see 18:6 and note). It may also refer to holiness as a trait of God’s character.

Shechem A city in the tribe of Manasseh, located about 65 miles north of Jerusalem. See note on Gen 12:6.

Succoth A city east of the Jordan River. See note on Gen 33:17.

60:7 Gilead A mountainous region to the east of Succoth.

Manasseh A relatively large tribal allotment consisting of areas both east and west of the Jordan River. See Num 32:33 and note.

Ephraim A tribal allotment west of the Jordan, between Manasseh and Benjamin. See note on Gen 48:20.

Judah A tribal allotment that included Jerusalem. Judah is often used as a designation for the entire southern kingdom.

60:8 Moab The region east of the Dead Sea. See note on Ruth 1:1.

Edom The region south of the Dead Sea. See note on Ps 108:9.

O Philistia An area along the coast of Israel to the west of Jerusalem. The Philistines oppressed Israel at multiple points in their history, and became one of the greatest enemies of Israel. Both Saul and David gained their reputations by defeating the Philistines.