1 To the chiefe Musician vpon Shushan-Eduth Michtam of Dauid, to teach. When hee stroue with Aram Naharaim, and with Aram Zobah, when Ioab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt, twelue thousand. O God, thou hast cast vs off; thou hast scattered vs, thou hast bene displeased, O turne thy selfe to vs againe.
2 Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heale the breaches thereof, for it shaketh.
3 Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made vs to drinke the wine of astonishment.
4 Thou hast giuen a banner to them that feare thee: that it may be displayed because of the trueth. Selah.
5 That thy beloued may be deliuered; saue with thy right hand, and heare mee.
6 God hath spoken in his holinesse, I wil reioyce: I will diuide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Iudah is my Lawgiuer.
8 Moab is my wash-pot, ouer Edom wil I cast out my shooe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.
9 Who wil bring me into the strong citie? who will lead me into Edom?
10 Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast vs off? and thou, O God, which didst not goe out with our armies.
11 Giue vs helpe from trouble: for vaine is the helpe of man.
12 Through God wee shall doe valiantly: for he it is that shall tread downe our enemies.
David prays for the deliverance of Israel from their enemies. (1-5) He entreats God to carry on and complete their victories. (6-12)
1-5 David owns God's displeasure to be the cause of all the hardships he had undergone. And when God is turning his hand in our favour, it is good to remember our former troubles. In God's displeasure their troubles began, therefore in his favour their prosperity must begin. Those breaches and divisions which the folly and corruption of man make, nothing but the wisdom and grace of God can repair, by pouring out a spirit of love and peace, by which only a kingdom is saved from ruin. The anger of God against sin, is the only cause of all misery, private or public, that has been, is, or shall be. In all these cases there is no remedy, but by returning to the Lord with repentance, faith, and prayer; beseeching him to return to us. Christ, the Son of David, is given for a banner to those that fear God; in him they are gathered together in one, and take courage. In his name and strength they wage war with the powers of darkness.
6-12 If Christ be ours, all things, one way or another, shall be for our eternal good. The man who is a new creature in Christ, may rejoice in all the precious promises God has spoken in his holiness. His present privileges, and the sanctifying influences of the Spirit, are sure earnests of heavenly glory. David rejoices in conquering the neighbouring nations, which had been enemies to Israel. The Israel of God are through Christ more than conquerors. Though sometimes they think that the Lord has cast them off, yet he will bring them into the strong city at last. Faith in the promise will assure us that it is our Father's good pleasure to give us the kingdom: But we are not yet made complete conquerors, and no true believer will abuse these truths to indulge sloth, or vain confidence. Hope in God is the best principle of true courage, for what need those fear who have God on their side? All our victories are from him, and while those who willingly submit to our anointed King shall share his glories, all his foes shall be put under his feet.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.