Psalm 60 - Prayer after a defeat

David in this psalm initially records how God had prevented his people from defeating their enemies in battle. The outcome was that they faced national disaster as the everyday structures were under threat. David recognised that the reason for the defeat was not the military superiority of the enemy. Instead, it was evidence that God was angry with his people, that instead of knowing his blessing they were experiencing great difficulties (vv. 1-3). 

Moreover, the defeat seemed surprising to the Israelites. It is difficult to identify when this defeat occurred, but scholars suggest it was during the period when David won many victories over surrounding peoples (2 Samuel 8). When he was away elsewhere winning battles, the Edomites took the opportunity to rebel against him. Perhaps David and his advisors had forgotten about this possibility or had become too confident in their arrangements. Whatever the reason, God had allowed it to happen and the Israelites were in a state of shock. 

Nevertheless, David recognised that the Lord’s cause had not been defeated completely. Rather, his banner was still flying and it was possible for those who feared him to go there for safety (v. 4). The imagery of flight in this sense is a good picture of repentance, of returning to God.

Then David and those with him pray to God for deliverance (v. 5). It looks as if verses 6-8 are the Lord’s answer, perhaps conveyed to David by a priest or a prophet, which indicates that the land and the people belong to God and that he will yet triumph over the enemy nations. 

On hearing this promise, David asks the question about who will lead the advance into Edom (v. 9). The title of the psalm indicates that Joab eventually was the one chosen to do so, but it seems that David at the time of writing was praying for guidance about who should do so. 

David continues his prayer for deliverance in verses 10-12. He prays to the God who has arranged for a defeat to be their experience. Yet David had learned the lesson that they needed God’s constant protection. Depending on human help turns out to be a false refuge. But when God is on our side, victory will happen because he will deal with our foes.

A New Testament verse that comes to mind is the warning of Jesus to his disciples when he said, ‘Without me, you can do nothing.’ At the same time, we can think of Paul’s statement, ‘I can do all things through him who gives me strength.’ 

We can also see from this psalm that defeat can occur at the same time as victories are happening. It is the case that we can be making progress in some areas but lose a battle in another area. That loss can be a reminder from God that we are not being careful. But we can also see that his banner is flying, inviting us to go to him.