EXPOSITION
THE date and occasion of this psalm are greatly disputed. Most critics, from Calvin to Hitzig, refer it to the times of the Maccabees. Others suggest the fourth or fifth century b.c. One (Tholuck) dates it in the reign of Jehoiachin. Hengstenberg and Canon Cook argue for the reign of David. The time of Jehoram (2 Chronicles 21:16, 2 Chronicles 21:17) and that of the defeat of Josiah (2 Chronicles 35:20-24) have also been proposed as possible. The Davidic date receives a certain amount of support from Psalms 60:1-12; which is in the same tone, and resembles the present psalm in several expressions (comp. Psalms 60:1 with Psalms 44:9; Psalms 60:10 with Psalms 44:9, Psalms 44:10; Psalms 60:11 with Psalms 44:26; etc.). It also harmonizes with the place of the psalm in the Psalter, and with its ascription to the "sons of Korah," who were certainly among David's musicians.
The occasion of the psalm is some serious reverse which the Israelites had sustained in a war with foreign enemies, but who were the enemies, and when exactly the reverse was sustained, are uncertain. No doubt there were many temporary reverses in the course of David's wars, after one of which the psalm may have been written.
The psalm divides itself into four parts.
In part 1. (Psalms 60:1-8) the writer recounts God's mercies in the past, and from them confidently concludes that effectual help will be granted in the present emergency.
In part 2. (Psalms 60:9 -16) he describes the emergency itself.
In part 3. (verses 17-22) he urges the fact that it had not been brought about by any infidelity or rebellion on the part of his countrymen.
And in part 4. (verses 23-26) he makes his prayer for deliverance.
The style is throughout simple, pure, and noble, possessing all the characteristics of the best period of Hebrew poetry.