(2 Samuel 8:1–14; 1 Chronicles 18:1–13; Psalm 108:1–13)

¹ For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A Miktam¹ of David for instruction. When he fought Aram-naharaim² and Aram-zobah,³ and Joab returned and struck down 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. You have rejected us, O God; You have broken us; You have been angry; restore us!

1. Miktam is probably a musical or liturgical term; used for Psalms 16 and 56–60.
2. That is, Mesopotamia; Aram-naharaim means Aram of the two rivers, likely the region between the Euphrates and Balih Rivers in northwestern Mesopotamia.
3. That is, the land northeast of Damascus

² You have shaken the land and torn it open. Heal its fractures, for it is quaking.

³ You have shown Your people hardship; we are staggered from the wine You made us drink.

⁴ You have raised a banner for those who fear You, that they may flee the bow.¹ Selah

1. Or that it may be displayed because of truth

⁵ Respond and save us with Your right hand, that Your beloved may be delivered.

⁶ God has spoken from His sanctuary:¹ “I will triumph! I will parcel out Shechem and apportion the Valley of Succoth.

1. Or in His holiness

⁷ Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim is My helmet, Judah is My scepter.

⁸ Moab is My washbasin; upon Edom I toss My sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

⁹ Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

¹⁰ Have You not rejected us, O God? Will You no longer march out, O God, with our armies?

¹¹ Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless.

¹² With God we will perform with valor, and He will trample our enemies.