Psalm 60:12
With God we will perform with valor, and He will trample our enemies.
With God we will perform with valor
This phrase emphasizes the necessity of divine assistance in achieving victory. The context of Psalm 60 is a national lament, likely during a time of military defeat or distress. The psalmist acknowledges that human strength alone is insufficient without God's intervention. This reflects the broader biblical theme that true courage and success come from reliance on God (see Joshua 1:9, where God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous because the Lord is with him). The phrase also echoes the sentiment found in Philippians 4:13, where Paul states, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," highlighting the belief that divine empowerment is crucial for overcoming challenges.

and He will trample our enemies
This part of the verse conveys the assurance of God's ultimate victory over adversaries. The imagery of trampling suggests a decisive and overwhelming defeat, reminiscent of God's promises to Israel regarding their enemies (as seen in Deuteronomy 33:27, where God is described as driving out the enemy before Israel). Historically, this reflects the numerous battles Israel faced against surrounding nations, where victory was often attributed to God's intervention (e.g., the defeat of the Amalekites in Exodus 17:8-16). Theologically, this can be seen as a type of Christ's ultimate victory over sin and death, as prophesied in Genesis 3:15, where the seed of the woman will crush the serpent's head. This victory is fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus' death and resurrection, which defeats the ultimate enemies of sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of Psalm 60, David was the king of Israel and a man after God's own heart. He often faced military challenges and relied on God for victory.

2. Israel
The nation of God's chosen people, often engaged in battles with surrounding nations. Psalm 60 reflects a time of military struggle and divine intervention.

3. Edom
A nation often in conflict with Israel. The historical context of Psalm 60 involves battles against Edom and other neighboring enemies.

4. Joab
David's military commander, who played a significant role in the battles described in the historical context of this Psalm.

5. God
The central figure in the Psalm, who is depicted as the source of strength and victory for His people.
Teaching Points
Dependence on God for Victory
We are reminded that true victory comes not from our own strength but through reliance on God. In our personal battles, whether spiritual, emotional, or physical, we must trust in God's power to overcome.

Courage Through Faith
The phrase "perform with valor" suggests that our courage is rooted in faith. When we trust in God, we can face challenges with boldness, knowing He is with us.

God's Sovereignty Over Enemies
The assurance that God will "trample our enemies" speaks to His ultimate control over all circumstances. We can find peace in knowing that God is sovereign over any opposition we face.

Spiritual Warfare
This verse can be applied to the concept of spiritual warfare, where believers are called to stand firm in faith, using God's strength to overcome spiritual adversaries.

Community and Collective Faith
The use of "we" emphasizes the importance of community and collective faith. As a body of believers, we are called to support one another in our reliance on God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the historical context of Israel's battles enhance our interpretation of Psalm 60:12?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of "performing with valor" in our daily lives?

3. How does the assurance of God's sovereignty over our enemies provide comfort in times of personal struggle?

4. What are some practical ways we can cultivate a community of faith that collectively relies on God's strength?

5. How can the concept of spiritual warfare, as seen in this verse, be applied to modern-day challenges faced by Christians?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 108:13
This verse echoes the same sentiment as Psalm 60:12, emphasizing reliance on God for victory over enemies.

Romans 8:31
This New Testament verse reinforces the idea that if God is for us, no one can stand against us, aligning with the confidence expressed in Psalm 60:12.

1 Samuel 17:47
David's declaration before facing Goliath that the battle belongs to the Lord, illustrating the same trust in God's power to overcome adversaries.
A Psalm of DefeatJ. Stalker.Psalm 60:1-12
Assurance in PrayerC. Short Psalm 60:1-12
Despondency and its AntidoteW. Forsyth Psalm 60:1-12
People
Aram, David, Edomites, Joab, Manasseh, Psalmist, Syrians
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Adversaries, Chief, Crushed, David, Enemies, Foes, Haters, Instrument, Mightily, Musician, Psalm, Stringed, Trample, Tread, Treadeth, Valiantly, Victory
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 60:12

     8728   enemies, of Israel and Judah

Psalm 60:11-12

     5597   victory, act of God

Library
Moab is My Washpot
What does Moab represent to you and to me? We are the children of Israel by faith in Christ, and in him we have obtained by covenant a promised land. Our faith may cry, "I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valles of Succoth." All things are ours in Christ Jesus; "Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine." Now Moab was outside of Canaan. It was not given to Israel as a possession, but in course of time it was subdued in warfare, and became tributary to the Jewish king. Even thus our faith overcometh
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

That we must not Believe Everyone, and that we are Prone to Fall in Our Words
Lord, be thou my help in trouble, for vain is the help of man.(1) How often have I failed to find faithfulness, where I thought I possessed it. How many times I have found it where I least expected. Vain therefore is hope in men, but the salvation of the just, O God, is in Thee. Blessed be thou, O Lord my God, in all things which happen unto us. We are weak and unstable, we are quickly deceived and quite changed. 2. Who is the man who is able to keep himself so warily and circumspectly as not
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Dialogue i. --The Immutable.
Orthodoxos and Eranistes. Orth.--Better were it for us to agree and abide by the apostolic doctrine in its purity. But since, I know not how, you have broken the harmony, and are now offering us new doctrines, let us, if you please, with no kind of quarrel, investigate the truth. Eran.--We need no investigation, for we exactly hold the truth. Orth.--This is what every heretic supposes. Aye, even Jews and Pagans reckon that they are defending the doctrines of the truth; and so also do not only the
Theodoret—The Ecclesiastical History of Theodoret

Vehicles of Revelation; Scripture, the Church, Tradition.
(a) The supreme and unique revelation of God to man is in the Person of the Incarnate Son. But though unique the Incarnation is not solitary. Before it there was the divine institution of the Law and the Prophets, the former a typical anticipation (de Incarn. 40. 2) of the destined reality, and along with the latter (ib. 12. 2 and 5) for all the world a holy school of the knowledge of God and the conduct of the soul.' After it there is the history of the life and teaching of Christ and the writings
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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