Psalm 60 11

Psalm 60:11 kjv

Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.

Psalm 60:11 nkjv

Give us help from trouble, For the help of man is useless.

Psalm 60:11 niv

Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless.

Psalm 60:11 esv

Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man!

Psalm 60:11 nlt

Oh, please help us against our enemies,
for all human help is useless.

Psalm 60 verses

Psalm 60 11 Meaning

Psalm 60:11 is a fervent plea to God for divine intervention in a time of profound national distress and military defeat. It acknowledges the inherent limitation and futility of relying on human strength, armies, or alliances to secure victory or deliverance, unequivocally stating that ultimate salvation and help come solely from God.

Psalm 60 11 Context

Psalm 60 is a communal lament, bearing a significant superscription that provides its historical background: "For the director of music. To the tune of 'The Lily of the Covenant.' A Miktam of David. For instruction. When he fought Aram Naharaim and Aram Zobah, and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt." This suggests the psalm originated from a period of intense warfare during David's reign (likely correlating with events in 2 Samuel 8 or 1 Chronicles 18).

The initial verses (1-3) depict a dire situation where God seemingly "rejected" and "broken out" against Israel, causing national tremors and widespread distress—a military defeat or major setback. This paints a picture of being "shattered" or "torn apart." Despite this initial lament and perception of divine abandonment, the psalm transitions into a recollection of God's covenant promises (v.4-5), an expression of confidence in His sovereign rule over all lands (v.6-8), and a renewed plea for intervention. Verse 11, specifically, is uttered after this acknowledgment of past divine discipline and promises, and it articulates the foundational theological truth underpinning their request: Israel's hope for victory and deliverance rests not in their own military prowess or strategic alliances, but exclusively in God, having experienced the painful reality of human limitations.

Psalm 60 11 Word analysis

• Give us help (תֵּן-לָנוּ עֶזְרָה, ten-lanu ʻezrat):

  • ten (תֵּן): An imperative verb, "give" or "grant." It's a direct, urgent command or plea addressed to God, reflecting both dependence and confidence that God can and should provide the requested assistance.
  • lanu (לָנוּ): The pronominal suffix "to us," indicating a communal cry from the nation.
  • ʻezrat (עֶזְרָה): "help," "aid," or "succor." This term describes general assistance, support, or reinforcement. It is a common word in the Old Testament, frequently used for divine help.

• from trouble (מִצַּר, mi-tsar):

  • mi- (מִן): A preposition meaning "from," "out of," or "away from." It signifies deliverance from a specific condition or source.
  • tsar (צַר): This noun has a rich semantic range, meaning "narrowness," "distress," "adversity," or "foe/enemy." In a military context, it powerfully conveys being hemmed in, besieged, or pressured by an oppressive adversary. The psalmist pleads for release from this dire, constricted situation brought on by enemies.

• for vain is (כִּי-שָׁוְא, ki-shav):

  • ki (כִּי): A conjunction meaning "for," "because," "indeed," or "surely." It introduces the crucial reason or justification for the preceding plea.
  • shav (שָׁוְא): "Vain," "empty," "futile," "worthless," "deceitful." This term denotes that which lacks substance, effectiveness, or lasting value. It's used for idols (which are shav, empty of power), false oaths, or anything that disappoints expectations because it offers no true solution or reality. Here, it condemns the efficacy of human assistance.

• the help of man (תְּשׁוּעַת אָדָם, teshūʻat 'adam):

  • teshūʻah (תְּשׁוּעָה): "Salvation," "deliverance," "victory," "triumph." Derived from the root yashaʻ (to save, deliver). This term is much stronger than ʻezrah (help), often carrying messianic and eschatological overtones of ultimate deliverance. Its usage here contrasts the inability of man to provide ultimate salvation with God, who alone brings teshūʻah.
  • 'adam (אָדָם): "Man," "humankind," "mortal." It signifies human beings in their fragility, fallibility, and mortality, highlighting their limitations in contrast to the eternal, omnipotent God.

• Word-Group Analysis:

  • "Give us help from trouble": This phrase captures the immediate, urgent need for relief from pressing circumstances, often involving hostile forces. It's a direct petition for God's divine ʻezrah (assistance) to extricate them from the narrow grip of tsar (adversity/enemy).
  • "for vain is the help of man": This second clause serves as the theological bedrock for the first plea. It's a declaration of futility, exposing the absolute inability of teshūʻat 'adam (human salvation/deliverance) to resolve the "trouble." The contrast between God's potent help and man's empty efforts is stark, forming a foundational principle of biblical reliance.

Psalm 60 11 Bonus section

This verse subtly performs a polemic against the prevalent trust in human power and polytheistic systems found among ancient Near Eastern nations. While surrounding cultures relied on their massive armies, powerful kings, or specific national deities (whose power was often seen as limited to their territory or specific domain), Psalm 60:11 boldly declares the absolute superiority and necessity of Yahweh's help over all mortal capacity. It rejects the illusion that human strategic brilliance or military might can secure ultimate salvation or victory, attributing teshūʻah (deliverance) solely to the Living God, not man (adam).

Furthermore, Psalm 60:11 highlights a divine paradox. While God calls His people to be prepared, to act courageously, and to use the gifts and resources He provides (e.g., training, equipment), these are only effective as tools in His hand. The verse emphasizes that the source of help and the ground of ultimate trust must always be God, not the tools or the human agents wielding them. This tension ensures that while believers are active, they remain humble and entirely dependent on the Lord for the outcome, acknowledging that true salvation transcends mere human ability.

Psalm 60 11 Commentary

Psalm 60:11 encapsulates a core tenet of biblical faith: the absolute insufficiency of human strength, wisdom, or alliances apart from God. Having endured a national setback or defeat, the psalmist and the nation collectively recognized the emptiness of their reliance on their own resources. The "trouble" or "enemy" was too formidable for any "help of man" (teshūʻat 'adam) to overcome. The phrase "for vain is the help of man" (ki shav teshūʻat 'adam) isn't just an observation; it's a confession born of experience and spiritual revelation. Human endeavors, though necessary in their proper place, become utterly "worthless" or "empty" (shav) when made the ultimate object of trust for salvation. This includes military might, political strategies, or even individual resolve when disconnected from God's empowering presence. The psalm shifts all dependence to God, imploring Him to "give" the necessary assistance. This reflects a profound theological lesson: true victory and deliverance flow exclusively from God's omnipotence and covenant faithfulness. It is a powerful reminder that while we are called to diligent action, our ultimate reliance must always be on the one true deliverer.

For practical application, this verse serves as a guide for situations where human efforts appear inadequate or have failed:

• When faced with overwhelming personal challenges (e.g., severe illness, financial ruin, relational conflict), Ps 60:11 calls for a prayer that first acknowledges our limitations and then casts our full reliance upon God.
• In times of national or global crisis, it reminds believers that while human solutions are pursued, the ultimate "help" must come from the divine, inspiring prayer for God's intervention over and above all human initiatives.