Psalms

Psalms 60: Help from the God who speaks

Begin in prayer

Before we hear a defeated people plead for help, let us remember the God whose word declares triumph. Ask God for dependence on Christ and the humility to receive the strength human help cannot supply.

“I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them back; for I have mercy on them; and they will be as though I had not cast them off: for I am Yahweh their God, and I will hear them.

Zechariah 10:6

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that God speaks and saves, and His people must depend on Him for the help they cannot give themselves. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David's teaching song belongs to the wars against Aramean kingdoms and Joab's victory over Edom in the Valley of Salt. Yet it opens with a people broken under God's anger, asking Him to restore them and heal their shaken land. God gives a banner to those who fear Him, and David asks deliverance for His beloved people. God speaks from His sanctuary, claiming Israel's lands and declaring triumph over the surrounding enemies. David then asks who will lead him into the strong city when God has seemed to reject their armies. He pleads for help against the adversary because human help is vain. Through God they will act valiantly, and He will overcome their adversaries.

As you read Psalms 60, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God restores His stricken people by His word and power, for human help cannot give the victory they need.

During the campaign against Aram and Edom, victory and painful defeat taught God's people to seek Him for the help they needed. Shaken earth and staggering from wine picture the hardship that has come from God's own angry hand. The banner gives those who fear Him a rallying point displayed because of the truth, so the scattered can seek His saving help. God's answer from His sanctuary claims the land on both sides of the Jordan as His own to divide. Ephraim as His helmet and Judah as His scepter show that the tribes' strength and rule belong to Him. The wash basin for Moab and shoe cast on Edom reduce proud enemies to places beneath His authority. His shout over Philistia completes the declaration that no surrounding power can overturn His claim. David still faces a strong city, so he turns God's spoken triumph into a plea for the help no human strength can supply. The closing confidence joins the people's courageous action to God's own victory over their adversaries.

How does Psalm 60 show us that God restores His stricken people by His word and power, for human help cannot give the victory they need?

God's stricken people need Him to restore them.

The people feel broken by the God whose anger has brought them hardship. They ask Him to mend their shaken land. His banner and love give those who fear Him reason to seek His saving hand.

God's word declares His rule over His people and their enemies.

God claims the tribes and the lands they inhabit as His own. Proud neighbours become a wash basin and a place beneath His shoe. The word spoken from His sanctuary gives David reason to seek victory from Him.

God supplies the help that human strength cannot give.

David still needs help to enter the strong city. He pleads with the Lord because the help of man is vain. The people will act with courage through God, and God Himself will overcome their enemies.

Memorise

Through God we shall do valiantly, for it is he who will tread down our adversaries.

Psalm 60:12

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where am I relying on human strength instead of seeking help from Jesus?

David prays, “Give us help against the adversary, for the help of man is vain.” God's people have been broken, yet God has spoken of His triumph. Their hope must rest in His word and power as they seek the help they need.

Our own strength cannot remove the guilt that brings us under God's righteous anger. Jesus received His people's punishment at the cross and died for them to reconcile them to God. He was raised from death. His completed saving work is enough for their forgiveness, with no remaining debt for them to pay.

Turn from sin and trust Jesus. He forgives all who come to Him. Bring Him the confidence you have placed in people or resources, and ask Him to teach you dependence on His Word. Those who belong to Him may act with courage while looking to the Lord for the help they cannot give themselves.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God speaks and saves, and His people must depend on Him for the help they cannot give themselves. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His word and power give His people the help human strength cannot supply. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

All things whatever the Father has are mine; therefore I said that he takes of mine, and will declare it to you.

John 16:15

Lord, human strength cannot give the help we need before You. Please bring us to Jesus, whose finished work removes guilt and gives peace with You. Restore Your people who feel broken by hardship. Teach us to trust Your Word and act with courage, looking to Your power for every victory You give. Amen.