Psalms 60:3
Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.
Original Language Analysis
הִרְאִ֣יתָ
Thou hast shewed
H7200
הִרְאִ֣יתָ
Thou hast shewed
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
1 of 6
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
עַמְּךָ֣
thy people
H5971
עַמְּךָ֣
thy people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
2 of 6
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הִ֝שְׁקִיתָ֗נוּ
thou hast made us to drink
H8248
הִ֝שְׁקִיתָ֗נוּ
thou hast made us to drink
Strong's:
H8248
Word #:
4 of 6
to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to
Cross References
Isaiah 51:17Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out.Isaiah 51:22Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:Psalms 71:20Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.Psalms 75:8For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them.Jeremiah 25:15For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it.
Historical Context
The imagery of God's cup of wrath appears throughout Scripture (Isaiah 51:17, Jeremiah 25:15). Israel drinking this cup represented experiencing consequences of covenant unfaithfulness, yet as discipline within relationship, not ultimate rejection.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you maintain faith when God Himself ordains 'hard things'?
- What is the difference between discipline that staggers and punishment that destroys?
Analysis & Commentary
God showing His people 'hard things' indicates trials that test and refine. The wine of trembling/staggering depicts judgment that intoxicates—removing stability and clarity. Yet this comes from God's hand ('thou hast made us to drink'), distinguishing discipline from punishment. Believers may experience disorienting trials under God's sovereign purpose for sanctification.