Praying Through: Psalm 60

The Psalm

Psalm 60 (CSB)
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.

¹ God, you have rejected us; you have broken us down; you have been angry. Restore us!

² You have shaken the land and split it open. Heal its fissures, for it shudders.

³ You have made your people suffer hardship; you have given us wine to drink that made us stagger.

⁴ You have given a signal flag to those who fear you, so that they can flee before the archers. Selah

⁵ Save with your right hand, and answer me, so that those you love may be rescued.

⁶ God has spoken in his sanctuary: “I will celebrate! I will divide up Shechem. I will apportion the Valley of Succoth.

⁷ Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine, and Ephraim is my helmet; Judah is my scepter.

⁸ Moab is my washbasin. I throw my sandal on Edom; I shout in triumph over Philistia.”

⁹ Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

¹⁰ God, haven’t you rejected us? God, you do not march out with our armies.

¹¹ Give us aid against the foe, for human help is worthless.

¹² With God we will perform valiantly; he will trample our foes.

The Prayer

The battles I have seen The bloodshed upon my hands The hurt I have caused The wounds I have made Was all of my actions.

I have been hurt too And that does not make it right

I am sorry Lord For the hurt I have caused.

Will you save me?

Will you give me a tender heart To forgive others And love others And to seek reconcilation and help heal others?

I am so sorry Lord For all of my sins.

Make me like your Son And turn my heart towards you.

Amen.