Psalms 60:2

2 Thou hast made the earth to tremble, thou hast rent it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.

Psalms 60:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 60:2

Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it
As is frequently done by an earthquake; which, whatever natural causes there may be of it, is always to be ascribed to God. The ancient Heathens ^F13 were of opinion that all earthquakes were of God. This respects not the whole earth, but the land of Israel only; and so the Targum,

``thou hast moved the land of Israel, thou hast shaken and rent it;''

and it does not design a natural earthquake in it, but a figurative one; a shaking and rending of their civil and church state; see ( Hebrews 12:26 Hebrews 12:27 ) ;

heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh;
which will be done in the latter day, when they shall return into their own land, and be restored as at the beginning, ( Isaiah 30:30 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 A. Gell. Noct. Attic. l. 2. c. 28.

Psalms 60:2 In-Context

1 {To the chief Musician. On Shushan. Testimony. Michtam of David; to teach: when he strove with the Syrians of Mesopotamia, and the Syrians of Zobah, and Joab returned, and smote the Edomites in the valley of salt, twelve thousand.} O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased: restore us again.

2 Thou hast made the earth to tremble, thou hast rent it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.

3 Thou hast shewn thy people hard things; thou hast made us to drink the wine of bewilderment.

4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth, (Selah,)

5 That thy beloved ones may be delivered. Save with thy right hand, and answer me.