Psalm 60:1
New International Version
For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A miktam of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim and Aram Zobah, and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. You have rejected us, God, and burst upon us; you have been angry—now restore us!

New Living Translation
You have rejected us, O God, and broken our defenses. You have been angry with us; now restore us to your favor.

English Standard Version
O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses; you have been angry; oh, restore us.

Berean Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A Miktam of David for instruction. When he fought Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck down 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. You have rejected us, O God; You have broken us; You have been angry; restore us!

King James Bible
To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.

New King James Version
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. O God, You have cast us off; You have broken us down; You have been displeased; Oh, restore us again!

New American Standard Bible
For the music director; according to Shushan Eduth. A Mikhtam of David, to teach; when he fought with Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned, and killed twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt. God, You have rejected us. You have broken us; You have been angry; restore us!

NASB 1995
For the choir director; according to Shushan Eduth. A Mikhtam of David, to teach; when he struggled with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and Joab returned, and smote twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt. O God, You have rejected us. You have broken us; You have been angry; O, restore us.

NASB 1977
O God, Thou hast rejected us. Thou hast broken us; Thou hast been angry; O, restore us.

Legacy Standard Bible
For the choir director. According to Shushan Eduth. A Mikhtam of David. For teaching. When he struggled with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and Joab returned, and smote twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt. O God, You have rejected us. You have broken us; You have been angry; Oh, restore us.

Amplified Bible
To the Chief Musician; set to [the tune of] “The Lily of the Testimony.” A Mikhtam of David [intended to record memorable thoughts and] to teach; when he struggled with the Arameans of Mesopotamia and the Arameans of Zobah, and when Joab returned and struck twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. O God, You have rejected us and cast us off. You have broken [down our defenses and scattered] us; You have been angry; O restore us and turn again to us.

Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director: according to “The Lily of Testimony.” † A Miktam of David for teaching. When he fought with Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck Edom in Salt Valley, killing twelve thousand. † God, you have rejected us; you have broken us down; you have been angry. Restore us!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director: according to “The Lily of Testimony.” A Davidic Miktam for teaching. When he fought with Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck Edom in the Valley of Salt, killing 12,000. God, You have rejected us; You have broken out against us; You have been angry. Restore us!

American Standard Version
For the Chief Musician; set to Shushan Eduth. Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the Valley of Salt twelve thousand. O God thou hast cast us off, thou hast broken us down; Thou hast been angry; oh restore us again.

Contemporary English Version
You, God, are angry with us! We are rejected and crushed. Make us strong again!

English Revised Version
For the Chief Musician; set to Shushan Eduth: Michtam of David, to teach: when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the Valley of Salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast broken us down; thou hast been angry; O restore us again.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[For the choir director; according to [shushan eduth]; a [miktam] by David; for teaching. When David fought Aram Naharaim and Aram Zobah, and [when] Joab came back and killed 12,000 men from Edom in the Dead Sea region.] O God, you have rejected us. You have broken down our defenses. You have been angry. Restore us!

Good News Translation
You have rejected us, God, and defeated us; you have been angry with us--but now turn back to us.

International Standard Version
God, you have cast us off; you have breached our defenses and you have become enraged. Return to us!

Majority Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A Miktam of David for instruction. When he fought Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck down 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. You have rejected us, O God; You have broken us; You have been angry; restore us!

NET Bible
For the music director; according to the shushan-eduth style; a prayer of David written to instruct others. It was written when he fought against Aram Naharaim and Aram-Zobah. That was when Joab turned back and struck down 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. O God, you have rejected us. You suddenly turned on us in your anger. Please restore us!

New Heart English Bible
[For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "The Lily of the Covenant." A teaching poem by David, when he fought with Aram Naharaim and with Aram Zobah, and Joab returned, and killed twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt.] God, you have rejected us. You have broken us down. You have been angry. Restore us, again.

Webster's Bible Translation
To the chief Musician upon Shushan-eduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.

World English Bible
For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A teaching poem by David, when he fought with Aram Naharaim and with Aram Zobah, and Joab returned, and killed twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt. God, you have rejected us. You have broken us down. You have been angry. Restore us, again.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
TO THE OVERSEER. [SET] ON “LILY OF TESTIMONY.” A MIKTAM OF DAVID, TO TEACH, IN HIS STRIVING WITH ARAM-NAHARAIM AND WITH ARAM-ZOBAH, WHEN JOAB TURNS BACK AND STRIKES EDOM IN THE VALLEY OF SALT—TWELVE THOUSAND. O God, You had cast us off, "" You had broken us—had been angry! You turn back to us.

Young's Literal Translation
To the Overseer. -- 'Concerning the Lily of Testimony,' a secret treasure of David, to teach, in his striving with Aram-Naharaim, and with Aram-Zobah, and Joab turneth back and smiteth Edom in the valley of Salt -- twelve thousand. O God, Thou hadst cast us off, Thou hadst broken us -- hadst been angry! -- Thou dost turn back to us.

Smith's Literal Translation
To the overseer upon the lily of song: poem to David to teach; In the setting on fire Aram of the two rivers, and Aram of the station; and Joab will turn back and strike Edom in the valley of salt, twelve thousand. O God, thou didst cast us off, thou didst break us down, thou wert angry; wilt thou turn back to us?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Unto the end, for them that shall be changed, for the inscription of a title, to David himself, for doctrine, when he set fire to Mesopotamia of Syria and Sobal and Joab returned and slew of Edom, in the vale of the saltpits, twelve thousand men. O God, thou hast cast us off, and hast destroyed us; thou hast been angry, and hast had mercy on us.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Unto the end. For those who will be changed, with the inscription of a title, of David himself, for instruction: when he set fire to Mesopotamia of Syria and Sobal, and Joab turned back and struck Idumea, in the valley of the salt pits, twelve thousand men. O God, you have rejected us, and you have ruined us. You became angry, and yet you have been merciful to us.

New American Bible
For the leader; according to “The Lily of.. . .” A miktam of David (for teaching), [2] when he fought against Aram-Naharaim and Aram-Zobah; and Joab, coming back, killed twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. [3] O God, you rejected us, broke our defenses; you were angry but now revive us.

New Revised Standard Version
O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses; you have been angry; now restore us!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
O GOD, thou hast forsaken us, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased with us; O turn thyself to us again.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
God, you have forgotten us, and you have driven us out and you have been provoked with us!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For the Leader; upon Shushan Eduth; Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the Valley of Salt twelve thousand. O God, Thou hast cast us off, Thou hast broken us down; Thou hast been angry; O restore us.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For the end, for them that shall yet be changed; for an inscription by David for instruction, when he had burned Mesopotamia of Syria, and Syria Sobal, and Joab had returned and smitten in the valley of salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast rejected and destroyed us; thou hast been angry, yet hast pitied us.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Victory Through God
1For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A Miktam of David for instruction. When he fought Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck down 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. You have rejected us, O God; You have broken us; You have been angry; restore us! 2You have shaken the land and torn it open. Heal its fractures, for it is quaking.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 8:1-14
Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines. / David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute. / David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who had marched out to restore his dominion along the Euphrates River. ...

1 Chronicles 18:1-13
Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its villages from the hand of the Philistines. / David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to David and brought him tribute. / As far as Hamath, David also defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah, who had marched out to establish his dominion along the Euphrates River. ...

Psalm 44:9-10
But You have rejected and humbled us; You no longer go forth with our armies. / You have made us retreat from the foe, and those who hate us have plundered us.

Psalm 89:38-45
Now, however, You have spurned and rejected him; You are enraged by Your anointed one. / You have renounced the covenant with Your servant and sullied his crown in the dust. / You have broken down all his walls; You have reduced his strongholds to rubble. ...

Psalm 74:1
A Maskil of Asaph. Why have You rejected us forever, O God? Why does Your anger smolder against the sheep of Your pasture?

Psalm 79:5
How long, O LORD? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire?

Isaiah 64:9
Do not be angry, O LORD, beyond measure; do not remember our iniquity forever. Oh, look upon us, we pray; we are all Your people!

Lamentations 5:22
unless You have utterly rejected us and remain angry with us beyond measure.

Jeremiah 15:1
Then the LORD said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel should stand before Me, My heart would not go out to this people. Send them from My presence, and let them go!

Hosea 5:15
Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”

Romans 11:1
I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.

Romans 11:2
God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel:

Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”

2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; / persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 1:8-10
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. / Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead. / He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. In Him we have placed our hope that He will yet again deliver us,


Treasury of Scripture

O God, you have cast us off, you have scattered us, you have been displeased; O turn yourself to us again.

A.

Psalm 59:1
To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.

when he strove

2 Samuel 8:3,12,13
David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates…

2 Samuel 10:16
And Hadarezer sent, and brought out the Syrians that were beyond the river: and they came to Helam; and Shobach the captain of the host of Hadarezer went before them.

1 Chronicles 18:3,12,13
And David smote Hadarezer king of Zobah unto Hamath, as he went to stablish his dominion by the river Euphrates…

valley

2 Kings 14:7
He slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel unto this day.

2 Chronicles 25:11
And Amaziah strengthened himself, and led forth his people, and went to the valley of salt, and smote of the children of Seir ten thousand.

O God

Psalm 60:10
Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies?

Psalm 44:9
But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies.

Psalm 74:1
Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?

scattered [heb.

Psalm 59:11
Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.

1 Samuel 4:10,11,17
And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen…

1 Samuel 13:6,7,11,19-22
When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits…

O turn

Psalm 79:9
Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.

Psalm 89:3,7,19
I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, …

Jump to Previous
Angry Aram Aram-Naharaim Aram-Zobah Broken Cast Chief Choirmaster Covenant David Displeased Edom Fought God Instruction Joab Killed Lily Michtam Miktam Musician Naharaim Poem Rejected Restore Salt Scattered Shushan Strove Teach Teaching Thousand Thyself Tune Turn Twelve Valley Zobah
Jump to Next
Angry Aram Aram-Naharaim Aram-Zobah Broken Cast Chief Choirmaster Covenant David Displeased Edom Fought God Instruction Joab Killed Lily Michtam Miktam Musician Naharaim Poem Rejected Restore Salt Scattered Shushan Strove Teach Teaching Thousand Thyself Tune Turn Twelve Valley Zobah
Psalm 60
1. David, complaining to God of former judgment
4. now upon better hope, prays for deliverance
6. Comforting himself in God's promises, he craves that help whereon he trusts














You have rejected us, O God
The Hebrew root for "rejected" is "zanach," which conveys a sense of casting aside or forsaking. This phrase reflects a deep sense of abandonment felt by the Israelites, who believed that God had turned away from them. Historically, this could be linked to a period of military defeat or national crisis, possibly during King David's reign when Israel faced formidable enemies. Theologically, it underscores the covenant relationship between God and His people, where divine favor is contingent upon Israel's faithfulness. The plea acknowledges God's sovereignty and the reality of divine discipline, urging believers to introspect and realign with God's will.

You have broken us
The term "broken" comes from the Hebrew "parats," meaning to break through or burst. This imagery suggests not just physical defeat but a profound spiritual and communal fracture. In the historical context, this could refer to the disarray and vulnerability experienced by Israel during times of conquest or internal strife. Spiritually, it serves as a metaphor for the brokenness that sin and disobedience bring into the lives of believers. It is a call to recognize human frailty and the need for divine intervention to restore wholeness.

You have been angry
The Hebrew word for "angry" is "anaph," indicating a deep, righteous indignation. This phrase acknowledges God's holiness and justice, which cannot tolerate sin and rebellion. The anger of God is not capricious but is a response to covenant unfaithfulness. Historically, this reflects the periods when Israel's idolatry and moral failures led to divine chastisement. For contemporary believers, it is a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the importance of repentance and seeking God's mercy.

restore us!
The plea for restoration uses the Hebrew "shub," which means to return or bring back. This is a hopeful and faith-filled request for God to renew and heal the relationship with His people. It implies repentance and a desire to return to a state of favor and blessing. In the broader biblical narrative, restoration is a recurring theme, pointing to God's redemptive plan through Christ. For believers, it is an assurance that no matter how far one has strayed, God's grace is sufficient to restore and renew. This phrase encapsulates the hope and trust in God's unfailing love and the promise of renewal for those who seek Him earnestly.

(1) Hast scattered us.--Literally, hast broken us. A word used of a wall or fence, Psalm 80:12, but in 2Samuel 5:20 applied to the rout of an army, an event which gave its name to the locality, "plain of breaches." So in English:

"And seeing me, with a great voice he cried,

They are broken, they are broken."--

TENNYSON: Elaine.

On the other hand, the two succeeding verses seem to refer to a political convulsion rather than a military defeat, and it has been conjectured that the breach between the two kingdoms is here indicated. (See the use of perez=breach, in Judges 21:15.)

Verse 1. - O God, thou hast east us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased (comp. Psalm 44:9-11). The expressions used imply a signal defeat, which, though not mentioned in the historical books, harmonizes with the account given in 1 Kings of the severe treatment of Edom by Joab. From the fact of the defeat the psalmist infers the ground of it - God's displeasure. O turn thyself to us again; rather, O restore to us (i.e. make restoration to us) again (see the Revised Version).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For the choirmaster.
לַ֭מְנַצֵּחַ (lam·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ)
Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5329: To glitter from afar, to be eminent, to be permanent

To the tune of
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

“The Lily of Testimony.”
עֵד֑וּת (‘ê·ḏūṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7802: Shoshannim-Eduth -- Shushan-eduth

A Miktam
מִכְתָּ֖ם (miḵ·tām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4387: A technical term in psalm titles

of David
לְדָוִ֣ד (lə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

for instruction.
לְלַמֵּֽד׃ (lə·lam·mêḏ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3925: To exercise in, learn

When he fought
בְּהַצּוֹת֨וֹ ׀ (bə·haṣ·ṣō·w·ṯōw)
Preposition-b | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5327: To go forth, to be expelled, desolate, to lay waste, to quarrel

Aram-naharaim
נַהֲרַיִם֮ (na·hă·ra·yim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 763: Mesopotamia -- 'Aram of (the) two rivers', a district of Aram (Syria)

and Aram-zobah,
צ֫וֹבָ֥ה (ṣō·w·ḇāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 760: Aram of Tsoba

and Joab
יוֹאָ֗ב (yō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites

returned
וַיָּ֤שָׁב (way·yā·šāḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

and struck down
וַיַּ֣ךְ (way·yaḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

12,000
שְׁנֵ֖ים (šə·nêm)
Number - md
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

Edomites
אֱד֣וֹם (’ĕ·ḏō·wm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 123: The name of a condiment

in the Valley of Salt.
בְּגֵיא־ (bə·ḡê-)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1516: A valley

You have rejected us,
זְנַחְתָּ֣נוּ (zə·naḥ·tā·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular | first person common plural
Strong's 2186: Reject, forsake, fail

O God;
אֱ֭לֹהִים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

You have broken us;
פְרַצְתָּ֑נוּ (p̄ə·raṣ·tā·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular | first person common plural
Strong's 6555: To break through

You have been angry;
אָ֝נַ֗פְתָּ (’ā·nap̄·tā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 599: To breathe hard, be enraged

restore us!
תְּשׁ֣וֹבֵ֥ב (tə·šō·w·ḇêḇ)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again


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OT Poetry: Psalm 60:1 For the Chief Musician (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 59:17
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