Psa 60:7 | KingComments | STEP | The answer from God that David is asking for ( ), God gives “in His holiness” or “in His sanctuary” ( ). This answer is the heart of the psalm. It is the turning point of crying out to God for help, to which God responds. It is a solemn utterance, made in His sanctuary (cf. ; ). The point is that we must be in the sanctuary ( ), where God dwells, to know God’s view of a situation. There He makes His thoughts known in response to our questions. Knowing how God thinks about a matter gives rise to exult, to leaping for joy. Then despair and doubt disappear and certainty about the outcome of the battle comes. First God pronounces His rights over Shechem, Succoth, Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim and Judah ( ). Shechem is on the west side of the Jordan, in the land, and Succoth is on the east side, the wilderness side of the Jordan. They point to the beginning of Jacob’s return to the promised land ( ). That God will “portion out”, or divide Shechem proves His right to it ( ). He will give it to whom it belongs. The “measuring out of the valley of Succoth” has the same meaning. God will measure out the whole area and thus give the precisely measured area to whom it belongs, no more and no less. “Gilead” lies in the wilderness side of the Jordan and “Manasseh” lies partly in the land and partly on the east side, the wilderness side of the Jordan ( ). Of Gilead and of all Manasseh God says that it is “Mine”. “Ephraim” represents the ten tribes and “Judah” the two tribes. Together they make up the whole land of Israel. Ephraim is seen as a helmet, or shield, literally “strength”, in terms of protection. Of Judah God says that he is His scepter, or lawgiver (cf. ; ). From Judah His law will be taught and enforced everywhere. This will be the situation when the Messiah reigns. Next, God lets it be known that He also has ownership of all the territories outside of Israel. Of these, He mentions Moab, Edom and Philistia by name ( ). These areas lie east, south and west of Israel respectively and are within the boundaries of the land as promised to Abraham. God adds something to these names as well. During the great tribulation, the remnant will flee to Moab, just as David’s parents fled to Moab from King Saul ( ). Of Moab, God says: “Moab is My washbowl.” A washbowl or laver serves to clean feet. God used Moab to cleanse His people there ( ). Of Edom He says that He will throw His shoe thereon. This means that He will subject this people to Himself (cf. ). Philistia is called to shout loud because of God. This is a forced loud shouting. They must do so because of God’s awesome deeds on behalf of His people and at the expense of His people’s enemies, among whom they are.

‏ Psalms 60:7

God Has Spoken

The answer from God that David is asking for (Psa 60:5), God gives “in His holiness” or “in His sanctuary” (Psa 60:6). This answer is the heart of the psalm. It is the turning point of crying out to God for help, to which God responds. It is a solemn utterance, made in His sanctuary (cf. Amos 4:2; Psa 89:35).

The point is that we must be in the sanctuary (Psa 73:17), where God dwells, to know God’s view of a situation. There He makes His thoughts known in response to our questions. Knowing how God thinks about a matter gives rise to exult, to leaping for joy. Then despair and doubt disappear and certainty about the outcome of the battle comes.

First God pronounces His rights over Shechem, Succoth, Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim and Judah (Psa 60:6b-7). Shechem is on the west side of the Jordan, in the land, and Succoth is on the east side, the wilderness side of the Jordan. They point to the beginning of Jacob’s return to the promised land (Gen 33:17-18). That God will “portion out”, or divide Shechem proves His right to it (Psa 60:6b). He will give it to whom it belongs. The “measuring out of the valley of Succoth” has the same meaning. God will measure out the whole area and thus give the precisely measured area to whom it belongs, no more and no less.

“Gilead” lies in the wilderness side of the Jordan and “Manasseh” lies partly in the land and partly on the east side, the wilderness side of the Jordan (Psa 60:7). Of Gilead and of all Manasseh God says that it is “Mine”. “Ephraim” represents the ten tribes and “Judah” the two tribes. Together they make up the whole land of Israel. Ephraim is seen as a helmet, or shield, literally “strength”, in terms of protection. Of Judah God says that he is His scepter, or lawgiver (cf. Gen 49:10; Num 21:18). From Judah His law will be taught and enforced everywhere. This will be the situation when the Messiah reigns.

Next, God lets it be known that He also has ownership of all the territories outside of Israel. Of these, He mentions Moab, Edom and Philistia by name (Psa 60:8). These areas lie east, south and west of Israel respectively and are within the boundaries of the land as promised to Abraham. God adds something to these names as well.

During the great tribulation, the remnant will flee to Moab, just as David’s parents fled to Moab from King Saul (1Sam 22:3-4). Of Moab, God says: “Moab is My washbowl.” A washbowl or laver serves to clean feet. God used Moab to cleanse His people there (Isa 16:4).

Of Edom He says that He will throw His shoe thereon. This means that He will subject this people to Himself (cf. Rth 4:7). Philistia is called to shout loud because of God. This is a forced loud shouting. They must do so because of God’s awesome deeds on behalf of His people and at the expense of His people’s enemies, among whom they are.