Psalm 60 8

Psalm 60:8 kjv

Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.

Psalm 60:8 nkjv

Moab is My washpot; Over Edom I will cast My shoe; Philistia, shout in triumph because of Me."

Psalm 60:8 niv

Moab is my washbasin, on Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph."

Psalm 60:8 esv

Moab is my washbasin; upon Edom I cast my shoe; over Philistia I shout in triumph."

Psalm 60:8 nlt

But Moab, my washbasin, will become my servant,
and I will wipe my feet on Edom
and shout in triumph over Philistia."

Psalm 60 verses

Psalm 60 8 Meaning

Psalm 60:8 is a powerful declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and intended dominion over nations historically hostile to Israel. Speaking through the psalmist (or directly), God asserts His future triumph and subjugation of Moab, Edom, and Philistia. Moab is envisioned as a "washpot," signifying complete contempt, humiliation, and subservience. Over Edom, God declares He will "cast His shoe," an act symbolizing total ownership, possession, and disdain. For Philistia, the instruction to "shout in triumph because of Me" is an ironic challenge, implying that their accustomed shouts of boastful victory will be silenced or turned into cries of submission and terror, recognizing God's ultimate power over them.

Psalm 60 8 Context

Psalm 60 is a communal lament attributed to King David, reflecting a time of significant military challenge and perceived divine displeasure. The superscription details David's conflict with Aram Naharaim and Aram Zobah, and Joab's subsequent victory over Edom in the Valley of Salt. This verse falls within the latter section of the Psalm (verses 6-12), which transitions from lament to a confident declaration of God's covenant promises and impending triumph. Despite an initial setback, God reveals His unwavering intent to use Israel as His instrument to assert dominion over hostile neighboring nations—Moab, Edom, and Philistia—ensuring their complete subjugation and humiliation before His mighty power.

Psalm 60 8 Word analysis

• Moab (מֹואָב, Mo'av): A historical nation situated east of the Dead Sea, often in conflict with Israel. Known for its pride and worship of the deity Chemosh. In this context, Moab represents a common, though detestable, foe, now singled out for complete dishonor.
• is My washpot (סִיר רַחְצִי, sir rach'tzi):
  • washpot (סִיר, sir): Literally a pot, basin, or caldron. In ancient contexts, this could be a chamber pot (for refuse) or a basin for washing feet.
  • My (רַחְצִי, rach'tzi, from רחץ rachats, to wash): Signifies an implement used for bathing or purification, specifically by God.
  • The phrase collectively means an object of contempt and degradation. To treat a nation as a washpot is to signify utter disdain, a complete stripping of dignity, and to reduce them to the status of a menial, ignoble vessel. This highlights absolute divine subjugation, effectively declaring them as defiled and useful only for base purposes in God's service.
• Over Edom (עַל־אֱדֹום, 'al 'Edoh): A nation to the southeast of Judah, descendants of Esau and thus related to Israel. Historically antagonistic and often singled out for particularly severe judgment due to their persistent animosity (e.g., Obadiah). The use of the preposition "over" emphasizes their positioning directly under God's control and forthcoming act.
• I will cast (אַשְׁלִיךְ, ashlich, from שׁלך shalak, to cast, throw, send): A strong verb indicating intentional, decisive action. God Himself is the agent of this action, not Israel, underscoring His direct power.
• My shoe (נַעֲלִי, na'ali): The shoe/sandal, an ordinary item of clothing, carries significant symbolic weight in the ancient Near East. It can represent:
  • Possession/Ownership: As seen in the transfer of property in Ruth 4:7-8, where taking off a sandal denoted a validated transaction of ownership.
  • Contempt/Defilement: To throw or cast a shoe onto something could signify despising it, discarding it as worthless, or even polluting it (like throwing refuse). It also evoked the imagery of a master throwing a shoe for a slave to retrieve, indicating absolute servitude and humiliation.
  • Treading/Dominion: Implies crushing or putting enemies underfoot, like one tramples something with a shoe, asserting full authority and conquest.
  • Therefore, "casting My shoe over Edom" powerfully conveys absolute possession, contemptuous disregard, and complete domination, making Edom God's humble possession.
• Philistia (פְּלֶשֶׁת, Peleshet): A prominent nation occupying the coastal plains west of Judah, famous for their perpetual warfare with Israel. Known for their resilience and strong cities, they are presented here as another target of God's universal dominion.
• shout in triumph because of Me (הִתְרֹעֲעִי עָלַי, hitro'a'i 'alay):
  • shout in triumph (הִתְרֹעֲעִי, hitro'a'i, Hithpael imperative of רוע rua): The root rua implies a loud noise, a shout, or a war cry. In the Hithpael, it means "to burst into a shout," "to shout aloud," or "to raise a battle cry." While often associated with triumphal shouts (Jdg 7:20), it can also be used for distress or alarm.
  • because of Me (עָלַי, 'alay, from עַל 'al, over/against/because of/upon): This preposition adds a crucial nuance.
  • Combined, the phrase is generally understood in two primary ways:
    1. Ironic Challenge/Mocry: Philistia, renowned for their boisterous boasts and war cries against Israel, is sarcastically invited to "shout" – as in, "Go ahead and try to boast, but your boasts will be futile in My presence," or "Your typical shouts of triumph will now turn against you." It asserts God's overwhelming power, rendering their former triumphalism powerless.
    2. Forced Acclamation/Lament: Less commonly, it could mean Philistia's accustomed shouts will be replaced by forced acclamations of God's victory, or, by shouts of distress and lament as they face His judgment, contrasting their usual triumph with actual defeat.The primary sense here is that Philistia's defiance or triumphant spirit is rendered obsolete by God's absolute rule.

Psalm 60 8 Bonus section

The triumphal declaration in Psalm 60:8 is paralleled in Psalm 108:9, underscoring its prophetic significance and theological importance across different stages of David's kingdom and beyond. While the immediate historical context for Psalm 60 is David's successful campaigns, particularly against Edom, the divine declaration transcends a singular historical event. It embodies an enduring theological truth about God's universal reign. These specific nations (Moab, Edom, Philistia) were significant as persistent adversaries due to geographical proximity, historical animosity (especially Edom's lineage from Esau), and idolatrous practices. God's judgment upon them served as a vivid demonstration of His covenant faithfulness to Israel and His supremacy over all pagan deities and nations. The prophetic scope of these verses extends to the ultimate Messianic reign, where all earthly powers will eventually bow to Christ's sovereignty, as prophesied in Psalms 2 and 110, and ultimately fulfilled in the New Testament with every knee bowing to Jesus.

Psalm 60 8 Commentary

Psalm 60:8 succinctly declares the Lord's absolute authority and power over His chosen people's traditional enemies. The imagery chosen is deliberately humiliating and signifies complete subjugation. "Moab is My washpot" conveys utter contempt and renders a proud nation a vessel for defilement, stripped of all dignity and purpose beyond serving a lowly function under God's dominion. "Over Edom I will cast My shoe" further cements this concept of ownership and humiliation; it speaks of possessing them as property, stepping on them as vanquished foes, or even tossing them aside as utterly worthless. The shoe, normally for personal adornment and mobility, here symbolizes God's direct interaction and control, rendering Edom His subservient possession. Lastly, "Philistia, shout in triumph because of Me" presents an ironic or challenging decree. While Philistia might boast and cry out, their shouts will either be silenced, turn to wails of despair, or be co-opted into unwilling praise of God's overwhelming power. This statement transforms their potential for defiance into a testament of divine conquest, asserting that all nations, even the most formidable, ultimately stand subject to the God of Israel. It is a profound theological statement asserting God's sovereignty over all creation and His resolve to fulfill His covenant promises to Israel by subduing all adversaries.