You will prolong the king’s life; his years as many generations. He shall abide before God forever. (Psalm 61:6-7) At first glance, this verse seems a bit odd if we interpret David's words to mean he expected to live “forever.” He would have been aware of the fact...

For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah. (Psalm 61:3-4) On the eve of the first Passover, Israel was instructed to place the blood of a lamb upon the...

Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You; when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (Psalm 61:1-2) There are some Jewish commentators who consider this psalm to be an extension of the one...

Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies. (Psalm 60:12) When it comes to conflict, with a few exceptions, God's people have always seemed to be outnumbered and outmaneuvered by those who seek their destruction. When the Bible...

God has spoken in His holiness: “I will rejoice; I will divide Shechem and measure out the Valley of Succoth. Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine. Ephraim also is the helmet for My head. (Psalm 60:6-7) In keeping with the notion that this psalm is a prophecy, it is...

You have given a banner to those who fear You, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. That Your beloved may be delivered, save with Your right hand, and hear me. (Psalm 60:4-5) In the previous devotion, we addressed the belief that the words of this...

You have made the earth tremble; You have broken it. Heal its breaches, for it is shaking. (Psalm 60:2) Rabbinical commentators recommend that, with these words, David is referring to much more than just events that occurred in his day. They believe that David was...

O God, You have cast us off; You have broken us down; You have been displeased. Oh, restore us again! (Psalm 60:1) The tradition connected to this psalm says that David's lament at the outset was in response to a military incursion launched by Hadadezer of Syria into...

To the Chief Musician. Set to “Lily of the Testimony.” A Michtam of David. For teaching. When he fought against Mesopotamia and Syria of Zobah, and Joab returned and killed twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. (Psalm 60) When is it appropriate to make war...

To the Chief Musician. Set to “Lily of the Testimony.” A Michtam of David. For teaching. When he fought against Mesopotamia and Syria of Zobah, and Joab returned and killed twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. (Psalm 60) As the opening says, this psalm was...

I will wait for You, O You his Strength; for God is my defense. My God of mercy shall come to meet me. (Psalm 59:9-10) Waiting on God -- it's not always very easy to do. For us, time is always staring at us in the face, prompting consternation which, in turn, can...

Awake to help me, and behold! You therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to punish all the nations. (Psalm 59:5) There is an interesting midrash (commentary) connected to this verse that looks to the future. However, it begins with this thought: when...