1<To the chief music-maker; put to Shushan-eduth. Michtam. Of David. For teaching. When he was fighting against Aram-naharaim and Aramzobah, when Joab came back, and put twelve thousand of the Edomites to death, in the Valley of Salt.> God, you have put us away from you, you have sent us in all directions, you have been angry; O be turned to us again. 2By the power of your hand the earth is shaking and broken; make it strong again, for it is moved. 3You have made the people see hard times; you have given us the wine of shaking for our drink. 4Give a safe place to those who have fear of you, where they may go in flight from before the bow. (Selah.) 5So that your loved ones may be made safe, let your right hand be my salvation, and give me an answer. 6God has said in his holy place, I will be glad: I will make a division of Shechem, and the valley of Succoth will be measured out. 7Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; and Ephraim is the strength of my head; Judah is my law-giver; 8Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I put out my shoe; over Philistia will a glad cry be sounded. 9Who will take me into the strong town? who will be my guide into Edom? 10Have not you put us away, O God? and you have not gone out with our armies. 11Give us help in our trouble; for there is no help in man. 12Through God we will do great things, for through him our haters will be crushed under our feet.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
David prays for the deliverance of Israel from their enemies. (1-5) He entreats God to carry on and complete their victories. (6-12) 1-5 David owns God's displeasure to be the cause of all the hardships he had undergone. And when God is turning his hand in our favour, it is good to remember our former troubles. In God's displeasure their troubles began, therefore in his favour their prosperity must begin. Those breaches and divisions which the folly and corruption of man make, nothing but the wisdom and grace of God can repair, by pouring out a spirit of love and peace, by which only a kingdom is saved from ruin. The anger of God against sin, is the only cause of all misery, private or public, that has been, is, or shall be. In all these cases there is no remedy, but by returning to the Lord with repentance, faith, and prayer; beseeching him to return to us. Christ, the Son of David, is given for a banner to those that fear God; in him they are gathered together in one, and take courage. In his name and strength they wage war with the powers of darkness. 6-12 If Christ be ours, all things, one way or another, shall be for our eternal good. The man who is a new creature in Christ, may rejoice in all the precious promises God has spoken in his holiness. His present privileges, and the sanctifying influences of the Spirit, are sure earnests of heavenly glory. David rejoices in conquering the neighbouring nations, which had been enemies to Israel. The Israel of God are through Christ more than conquerors. Though sometimes they think that the Lord has cast them off, yet he will bring them into the strong city at last. Faith in the promise will assure us that it is our Father's good pleasure to give us the kingdom: But we are not yet made complete conquerors, and no true believer will abuse these truths to indulge sloth, or vain confidence. Hope in God is the best principle of true courage, for what need those fear who have God on their side? All our victories are from him, and while those who willingly submit to our anointed King shall share his glories, all his foes shall be put under his feet.