In life there are successes and failures. Sometimes a new job works out and sometimes it doesn't. Some churches grow and some close. These failures may not have a moral cause. However, at other times failures in our life do have a moral cause. Sometimes we sin and do suffer the consequences.

While the books of Samuel portray David as a successful warrior-king, Israel also knew defeat under his rule. Psalm 60 describes the impact of one such defeat.

The heading of the psalm seems to be at odds with the psalm itself. We're told it's a psalm that celebrates how David and his commander Joab ″fought . . . and struck down twelve thousand Edomites″. The psalm speaks of David's confidence that the Lord will come to Israel's aid (Psalm 60:11). But when he wrote this song, the battle was yet to be won.

Psalm 60 begins by acknowledging that Israel has suffered defeat in battle. Ultimately, this defeat is not due to Israel fighting a stronger army but to the Lord rejecting them in His anger (v. 1). We're not told what sin Israel has committed, but they are staggering like drunk men who have consumed the wine of God's wrath (v. 3).

David, however, is confident that the Lord will deliver them. God has ″raised a banner″ (v. 4). In other words, God has shown that He is ready to fight for them. David knows this because God will never abandon ″those who fear [Him]″ (v. 4).

In vv. 6-8, God himself speaks. God promised the land of Canaan to His people and He will ensure that the tribes keep their inheritance (vv. 6-7). The presence of Israel in the land is a sign that this is God's land and He has power (″Ephraim is my helmet″) and authority (″Judah is my sceptre″). Israel's victory will mean the humiliation of her enemies. These godless nations will serve Israel. They'll be little more than a ″washbasin″ (v. 8), something only useful for washing hands and feet. The picture of the tossing of the sandal (v. 8) is probably just another way of emphasising the complete subjection of these nations to Israel.

In the last verses (vv. 9-12), David affirms his confidence in God. Although it felt as if the Lord had left them, David believes that the Lord will again lead them into victory. Indeed, God has to. If God is not with them, they have no hope. But with the Lord, ″we shall gain the victory″ (v. 12).

Failure or defeat is never the last word. The hope that Christians have is even greater than the hope of Israel. Since God has placed all things under the feet of Jesus (Ephesians 1:22), we are confident ″the Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom″ (2 Timothy 4:18).