Today’s reading is Psalm 60.
The heading for Psalm 60 contains lots of information. The ESV transliterates one section saying the psalm is “According to Shushan Eduth.” We may have uncovered another top 40 hit of the ancient world. “Shushan” is a form of the word translated “Lilies” which is also part of the heading of Psalms 45 and 69. “Eduth” means “testimony” or “witness.” The title of Psalm 80 uses almost the exact same phrase where one of Asaph’s psalms claims to be “According to Lilies. A Testimony.”
Additionally, the heading says this psalm was written during or memorializes the battle when Joab struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. We read the historical record of this event in both 2 Samuel 8:13 and 1 Chronicles 18:12. However, the surrounding historical record presenting only victory does not at all sound like events producing this psalm’s tragic lament. As we track the historical record, we see the chain of command. According to the Chronicler, Abishai defeated the Edomites. However, keep in mind Abishai reported to Joab his brother to whom the psalm gives the credit. Both men reported to David the commander in chief and king. Therefore, the historian of Samuel can equally give David credit for the victory. The discrepancy between 12,000 in the psalm versus 18,000 in the historical records possibly shows a scribal error in one of the texts. However, it may be different authors relying on different accounting methods. For instance, 12,000 may refer to a single battle, while 18,000 refers to the entire campaign. 1 Kings 11:15-16 recalls a six-month campaign in Edom.
However, the part of the heading most intriguing to me is “For Instruction.” In Deuteronomy 31:19, God inspired a song for Moses. He specifically told Moses to teach it to the people. Again, in 2 Samuel 1:17-18, David wrote a lament regarding the death of Saul and Jonathan. He specifically claimed “it should be taught to the people of Judah.” Here we find a psalm labelled with the same concept. Psalm 60 is for instruction. It is to be taught. It is to be learned. I don’t know precisely why David felt the need to include this in the heading. All psalms were for instruction. But this one highlights the fact. While Psalms comfort us, excite us, intrigue us, entertain us, even sometimes shock us, they also must educate us. David wanted readers to learn the psalms and learn from the psalms.
Of course, such a use of psalms gets taken up in the New Testament. Singing instructs. Twice, Paul encourages his readers to address one another (Ephesians 5:19) or teach and admonish one another (Colossians 3:16) through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. In the Ephesian letter, singing as instruction among Christians and churches contrasts with the foolish drunken gatherings of the pagan world around them. While those in darkness gathered for their debauched parties with drunken songs, songs which no doubt encouraged more and more sinful behavior, Christians gathered together to sing to one another songs full of the will and wisdom of God. We still gather to learn songs and to learn from one another through singing.
Remember, Psalm 60 is for instruction. But not only that. Singing among us, while it stokes the emotional flames, is also for instruction.
Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 60.
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Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
What in Psalm 60 provokes or encourages you to praise God?
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