A Nation Shaken
Study note
David cries out that God has rejected and broken through Israel's defenses. The land is shaken. But God has given a banner to those who fear him.
1 God, you pushed us away. You smashed through our defenses. You were angry with us — please bring us back! O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.
2 You shook the land and cracked it open. Fix what is broken, because it is falling to pieces. Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.
3 You put your people through desperate times. You made us drink wine that left us dizzy and staggering. Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.
4 But for those who honor you, you have raised a flag to rally around — a banner of truth. Selah. Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.
5 Use your powerful right hand to save us and answer our cry, so that the people you love will be rescued. That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.
God Claims the Land
Study note
God speaks and claims authority over the regions: Shechem, Succoth, Gilead, and Manasseh. Moab is his washbasin and over Edom he casts his sandal, claiming ownership.
6 God has spoken from his sanctuary: "In victory I will divide up Shechem and measure out the Valley of Succoth." God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
7 "Gilead belongs to me, and Manasseh belongs to me. Ephraim is my helmet. Judah is my royal scepter." Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;
8 "Moab is nothing more than my washbasin. I toss my sandal over Edom to claim it. Shout over me in triumph, Philistia!" Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.
Victory Through God
Study note
David asks who will lead him into the fortified city. Human help is worthless, but with God they will do mighty things.
9 Who will take me to the fortified city? Who will lead me all the way to Edom? Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
10 Haven't you rejected us, God? You stopped going out with our armies. Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies?
11 Give us help against the enemy, because any help that comes from humans is worthless. Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
12 With God fighting for us, we will do mighty things. He is the one who will crush our enemies underfoot. Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.