Psalms 60:2

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 60:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Thou hast made the land to tremble; thou hast rent it: Heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Thou hast made the land to tremble; thou hast rent it: Heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.
Psalms 60:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 60

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2Thou hast made the land to tremble; thou hast rent it: Heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it, etc.] As is frequently done by an earthquake; which, whatever natural causes there may be of it, is always to be ascribed to God. The ancient Heathens f808 were of opinion that all earthquakes were of God. This respects not the whole earth, but the land of Israel only; and so the Targum, “thou hast moved the land of Israel, thou hast shaken and rent it;” and it does not design a natural earthquake in it, but a figurative one; a shaking and rending of their civil and church state; (see <581226>Hebrews 12:26,27); heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh; which will be done in the latter day, when they shall return into their own land,…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Thou hast made the earth to tremble - This refers, doubtless, to some calamity that might be compared with an earthquake - some disaster, discomfiture, or defeat that had shaken their hopes, as a city is shaken by an earthquake. Such comparisons are common in the Scriptures. Thou hast broken it - As if it were broken up, or convulsed. Heal the breaches thereof - That is, Appear for thy people, and repair their disasters, as if after an earthquake thou shouldst appear and fill up the rents which it had made. The prayer is that he would place things in their former condition of prosperity and success. For it shaketh - It is convulsed or agitated. That is, there is still commotion. Things are…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Tremble - A poetical expression, signifying great changes among the people. Psalms 60:3”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“made: Psa 104:32, Psa 114:7; Sa2 22:8; Job 9:6; Isa 5:25; Jer 4:24, Jer 10:10; Amo 8:8; Hab 3:10; Mat 27:51 broken: Psa 89:40; 2Sam. 2:8-32, Sa2 3:11-14; Isa 7:8; Jer 14:17, Jer 48:38; Hag 2:6, Hag 2:7 heal: Ch2 7:14; Job 5:18; Isa 30:26; Jer 30:17; Lam 2:13; Eze 34:16; Hos 6:1 Psalms 60:3”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification