Written during his battles against Aram Naharaim and Aram Zobah, as well as Joab’s successful campaign, David’s cry for help resulted in the defeat of twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. David initiated this Psalm by acknowledging that God had rejected them, drawing a parallel to King Ahab’s treatment of the prophet Elijah. King Ahab, in his ignorance, labeled Elijah, a man of God, as a troublemaker, failing to recognize the true source of their troubles in the eyes of the Holy God. Similarly, David, feeling abandoned by God, attributed it to their rejection of Him, and in response, God permitted their enemies to engage them.
Does God Reject?
You have rejected us, God, and burst upon us;
Psalm 60: 1-3 (NIV)
you have been angry —now restore us!
You have shaken the land and torn it open;
mend its fractures, for it is quaking.
You have shown your people desperate times;
you have given us wine that makes us stagger.
Despite their own failings, David placed the blame on God for their troubles. Often, we misinterpret God’s teachings as punishment or rejection. He also acknowledges the victorious moments granted to the Israelites by God, without any indication of God’s wrath or rejection. However, it was common in ancient times for God to permit the enemies of His people to prevail in order to impart a lesson. This was not an act of rejection, but rather a form of correction. The author of the Book of Hebrews addresses this issue in a detailed manner.
The people of Israel had selected a distinct time for themselves, yet David interpreted the situation as if God had appointed a critical time for them. If God intended to forsake us, then why would He have sacrificed His son in our place, where we were meant to face condemnation to death?
God Raises a Banner
But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner
Psalm 60:4-5 (NIV)
to be unfurled against the bow.
Save us and help us with your right hand,
that those you love may be delivered.
In the Book of Isaiah, the prophet emphasized the work of the Holy Spirit, stating, “From the west, people will fear the name of the LORD, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the LORD drives along” (Isaiah 59:19). God consistently raises His banner to be unfurled against the arrows of our enemies, and only those who fear Him can comprehend this truth.
God’s love extends to all, regardless of their worthiness, and He has sent His Son to save each of us from eternal death. It is reiterated that God’s love is for everyone, and only those who love Him can truly grasp His unconditional love. Until we wholeheartedly love God, it is common to assume that His love is conditional and reserved for only a select few.
God Has Spoken
God has spoken from his sanctuary:
Psalm 60:6-8 (NIV)
“In triumph I will parcel out Shechem
and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.
Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine;
Ephraim is my helmet,
Judah is my scepter.
Moab is my washbasin,
on Edom I toss my sandal;
over Philistia I shout in triumph. ”
The Psalmist reflects on the victories that God has bestowed upon him and envisions what God might have spoken while granting him triumph. Often, we dwell on our helpless state without recalling the times when God has aided us, and we neglect to ponder what God’s perspective might be on our plight.
He consistently prevails, and what appears insurmountable to us is insignificant to Him. Instead of succumbing to fear, let us find joy in Him and His teachings. He has conquered our adversary and vanquished them on the cross. Can we perceive His victorious anthem as we confront the trivial challenges of this world?
Seeking God On a Need Basis
Who will bring me to the fortified city?
Psalm 60:9-12 (NIV)
Who will lead me to Edom?
Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us
and no longer go out with our armies?
Give us aid against the enemy,
for human help is worthless.
With God we will gain the victory,
and he will trample down our enemies.
David, fully aware of the power of God, was certain that only God could protect his fortified city, Jerusalem. In order to wage war with Moab, David and his companions invaded Edom, seeking God’s guidance. However, despite their efforts, David did not sense the presence of God along the way. In facing the enemy, David turned to God for assistance, realizing that humans could not help him in his time of trouble. He placed his trust in God to grant them victory by defeating their enemies.
David did not sense the presence of God because he had assumed that God had rejected him. If we experience the same, it is clear that prior to His rejection of us, we had rejected Him.
Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save,
Isaiah 59:1-2 (NIV)
nor his ear too dull to hear.
But your iniquities have separated
you from your God;
your sins have hidden his face from you,
so that he will not hear.
Therefore, it is wise to turn to Him, rather than dwelling on the idea that God has rejected us. Job, when he could not find God around him, believed that even when he couldn’t see Him, God was watching over him and the path he was on. Despite his wife’s misguided counsel and his friends’ explanations for why God had rejected Job, Job did not believe that God had rejected him, instead saw Him with spiritual eyes.
David sought the help of God as needed, while Job relied on God consistently, even in the absence of immediate positive answers. Are we seeking God only in times of need, treating Him as our personal bodyguard, or are we relying on Him to guide us towards eternity?
God, assist us in transcending our limited perspective and in envisioning the eternal glory that awaits us in your Kingdom.
The Jordan Valley 
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