To the chief Musician upon Shushan-eduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aram-naharaim, and with Aram-zobah, when Joab returned and smote of Edom, in the valley of Salt, twelve thousand.
This psalm was penned by David, during his wars with the Syrians and Edomites, 2 Sam. 8. Here, (1.) He bewails the tokens of God’s displeasure with Israel, in the breaking and disjointing of the nation, under Saul and Ishbosheth, ver. 1-3. (2.) In thankful contemplation of the late revival he had given to their affairs by his own accession to the throne, and victories over the Philistines, Moabites, etc., he beseeches God to grant them victory over, and rest from all their other enemies, ver. 4-5. (3.) In the confident expectation of God’s fulfilment of his promises, along with the importunate supplication, he expresseth his triumphant hopes, that God would quickly subdue every enemy, the fortified cities of Edom not excepted, ver. 6-12.
In all my distressed cases, let me rejoice in the banner, the ensign given and displayed to the nations; and in the faith of God’s promise let me firmly expect victory over every spiritual foe, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God, the full enjoyment of the Canaan that is above.