Psalms 60:2
Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.
Original Language Analysis
הִרְעַ֣שְׁתָּה
to tremble
H7493
הִרְעַ֣שְׁתָּה
to tremble
Strong's:
H7493
Word #:
1 of 7
to undulate (as the earth, the sky, etc.; also a field of grain), particularly through fear; specifically, to spring (as a locust)
אֶ֣רֶץ
Thou hast made the earth
H776
אֶ֣רֶץ
Thou hast made the earth
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
2 of 7
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
רְפָ֖ה
it heal
H7495
רְפָ֖ה
it heal
Strong's:
H7495
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e., (figuratively) to cure
שְׁבָרֶ֣יהָ
the breaches
H7667
שְׁבָרֶ֣יהָ
the breaches
Strong's:
H7667
Word #:
5 of 7
a fracture, figuratively, ruin; specifically, a solution (of a dream)
Cross References
2 Chronicles 7:14If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.Isaiah 30:26Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.Psalms 18:7Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.Jeremiah 48:38There shall be lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof: for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein is no pleasure, saith the LORD.Ezekiel 34:16I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.Hosea 6:1Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.Isaiah 5:25Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.Job 9:6Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.Jeremiah 10:10But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.Jeremiah 30:17For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.
Historical Context
The metaphorical earthquake represents military defeat's devastating impact on national morale. Ancient warfare's total nature meant defeats affected entire populations, not merely armies.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's shaking of earthly foundations teach about where true security resides?
- How do you discern God's disciplinary hand versus random catastrophe?
Analysis & Commentary
The earthquake imagery ('made the earth to tremble... broken it') depicts national catastrophe. God's shaking of foundations reveals that earthly security is illusory. 'Heal the breaches' appeals for restoration, using language of wall repair, anticipating Nehemiah's work. This demonstrates that God both wounds and heals His people (Deuteronomy 32:39).