NOTES for Psa 60

Many people believe that humility is capitulation in the face of failure. But this is not so, for it is before God that we should humble ourselves, not before circumstances. True humility consists in accepting the truth about ourselves, however bitter it may be, and in taking a sober view of reality, free both from forced optimism and from despondency.

It is precisely this humility that is expressed in the lines of this psalm. David clearly realizes that the Lord has rejected him, yet he continues to put his hope in Him. In such a situation, he could have given up and abandoned every attempt to act. Instead, David humbles himself before the Lord and, acknowledging the justice of His anger, continues to trust in Him and ask for help. Neither spiritual fortitude nor faithfulness to the Lord has deserted the psalmist. He believes that the Lord will not let his enemies overcome him, and therefore we may rightly call David's humility bold.

As we know, David's faith did not fail him.