Psalms 60:6
God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
Original Language Analysis
אֱלֹהִ֤ים׀
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֤ים׀
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
1 of 9
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
דִּבֶּ֥ר
hath spoken
H1696
דִּבֶּ֥ר
hath spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
2 of 9
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בְּקָדְשׁ֗וֹ
in his holiness
H6944
בְּקָדְשׁ֗וֹ
in his holiness
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
3 of 9
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
Cross References
Genesis 12:6And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.Psalms 89:35Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.Joshua 13:27And in the valley, Beth-aram, and Beth-nimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.Psalms 56:4In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.Psalms 119:162I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.Amos 4:2The Lord GOD hath sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.Joshua 1:6Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
Historical Context
Shechem and Succoth represent territories on both sides of the Jordan, symbolizing Israel's complete inheritance. God's promise to 'divide' and 'mete out' these territories affirmed David's kingship over all Israel despite current military setbacks.
Questions for Reflection
- How do God's promises function as certainty in present uncertainty?
- What does God speaking 'in his holiness' reveal about the reliability of His word?
Analysis & Commentary
The shift from lament to oracular confidence ('God hath spoken in his holiness') demonstrates answered prayer. God's speaking 'in his holiness' indicates revelation's certainty and purity. The promised division of Shechem and Succoth represents covenant inheritance being distributed, showing that God's promises transcend present defeat, grounding hope in divine decree.