[1] Written by David at the time he was at war with Syria, with the outcome still uncertain; this was when Joab, captain of his forces, slaughtered twelve thousand men of Edom in Salt Valley. O God, you have rejected us and broken our defenses; you have become angry and deserted us. Lord, restore us again to your favor. [2] You have caused this nation to tremble in fear; you have torn it apart. Lord, heal it now, for it is shaken to its depths. [3] You have been very hard on us and made us reel beneath your blows. [4] But you have given us a banner to rally to; all who love truth will rally to it; then you can deliver your beloved people. Use your strong right arm to rescue us. [6] God has promised to help us. He has vowed it by his holiness! No wonder I exult! "Shechem, Succoth, Gilead, Manasseh-still are mine!" he says. "Judah shall continue to produce kings, and Ephraim great warriors. [8] Moab shall become my lowly servant, and Edom my slave. And I will shout in triumph over the Philistines." [9] Who will bring me in triumph into Edom's strong cities? God will! He who cast us off! He who abandoned us to our foes! [11] Yes, Lord, help us against our enemies, for man's help is useless. [12] With God's help we shall do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes.
