Pr Joshua Yong

A Banner Lifted Up (Psalm 60)

Psalm 60:4 – “Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.”

Psalm 60 describes the victory which David has just experienced over his enemies. The title gives us the historical background to this Psalm. The names “Aram-naharaim” and “Aram-zobah” are used to describe the coalition of Syrian and Edomite forces David faced in battle. This account is recorded in 2 Samuel 8 and 1 Chronicles 18. From these accounts, we see that prior to facing the coalition of Syrian and Edomite forces, David had already engaged in battle with the Syrians, the Moabites, the Ammonites, and the Amalekites. David had already experienced past victories, but he is now preparing to face a new wave of enemy.

1) The Cry (v.1-3)

As David saw the overwhelming enemies, he cried out unto the Lord. He expresses his astonishment as well as how overwhelmed he felt.

In the midst of the battles he has to fight, he felt as if God has cast him off (v.1). The word “scattered” means “broken,” which described how David felt as if his army has broken apart. He calls upon the Lord to turn to him again, as if to express how he felt – that God has turned away from him. The earth seems to tremble and has broken beneath his feet (v.2).

In all of David’s crying, he acknowledges that God is the one who has allowed these things to unfold. This is expressed in the use of the second person singular, personal pronoun, “Thou.” Despite knowing this truth, he could not help but feel astonished that what he is seeing are hard things (v.3).

When we look at the spiritual battles that we have to fight today, it is easy to feel what David felt. We have fought many battles in the past, but as we look around us, we still see the battles we have to fight today. In seeing the foes that we have to face, it is easy to feel what David felt.

Consider the battles the Church has fought in the past against heresy and false hood. Yet consider the battles the Church has to continue fighting today against a host of false “isms.” Today we have to fight the battles against Liberalism and Modernism which deny the inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible, the miracles of Christ and the virgin birth of Christ. At the same time we have to defend against Neo-Evangelicalism which attacks the doctrine of Biblical Separation. We have to defend against Ecumenism which seeks to unite all religions under the banner of the anti-Christ. Then there is also the battle against Charismatism which has a distorted view of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, and wrongly believe that there is a need for sign gifts for the church today.

When we look at these enemies and the battles we have to fight, it seems as if we are fighting a losing battle. These movements seem to grow from strength to strength, while we are growing weaker and weaker.

Apart from these battles the Church is facing, in our own personal lives we also have our battles to fight. We have to fight the battle for holiness against worldliness both in the Church and in our own lives; we have to fight the battle for our family; we have to fight the battle for unity in the Church. Do we feel weary in the battles we have to fight?

2) The Confidence (v.4-5)

It was in the midst of such overwhelming enemies where David caught sight of the banner which God has given to him. This banner became David’s source of comfort and confidence.

The Hebrew word for “banner” is sometimes translated as “standard” or “ensign” in the English Bible. The modern day equivalent would be the national flag. In the ancient army of Rome, they had the Aquila for their standard or banner. This banner carried a bronze eagle with a flag beneath it. This banner identified the unit and serves as a rallying point for the soldiers.

The banner then is of great importance in the midst of war.

Firstly, the banner gives the soldiers direction. In the heat of the battle it is easy for soldiers to lose their sense of direction. This was especially so when soldiers fought with sword and shield. Formations could be easily broken up, and soldiers may blindly chase retreating enemies and then find themselves heading into an ambush. Thus the banner is crucial in the coordination of an attack and defense.

Second, the banner gives the army identification. It is the rallying point for the soldiers. It unites them and keeps them within their formation. Banners often mark out the unit’s name or number, and this will keep the soldiers united within their unit as they fight.

Third, the banner gives the army motivation. It is a source of encouragement for the army. It is an important element in boosting the morale of the fighting soldiers. When soldiers see their banner falling, it will be a cause of discouragement, but when the banner is still lifted high despite the intense and long fight, the soldiers would gather their courage knowing the battle is not lost, and that their captain still leads them on.

For the Christian soldier, what is this banner which God has given to us today? The Bible says that this banner is to be unfurled for the truth (v.4). The banner is the promises of God revealed to us in His Word. Christ is our banner (Isa 11:10) but Christ has revealed Himself to us through His Word. The gospel of Christ – the Word of God is this banner which God has given to us.

For the Christian today, God’s truth is therefore our direction in the midst of our spiritual warfare. God’s Word gives us direction. It tells us the reasons why we have to persevere in this spiritual warfare. It shows us how we can have the victory. It reveals to us our enemies. God’s Word is our clear direction in the midst of our warfare.

God’s truth gives us our identity. It unifies God’s army. God’s Word is the rally point where those who fight for the cause of Christ can gather and unite together under the same banner. Those who have the same mind can share in fellowship together. We do not want to fight amongst ourselves. But we stand united under the same banner of the cross.

God’s truth gives God’s soldiers fresh courage when they grow tired or weak. As the banner serves to motivate us in the midst of warfare, so the banner gives us the encouragement to press on. We look to God and His Word to find renewed energy for battles that we still have to fight. This is the blessed promise Christians have.

God’s Truth is given to us. When God gives it to us, it is a pledge of His presence and might. When we stand for God’s Truth and when we display God’s Truth for His Truth's sake, we know we are safe because God stands for us.

3) The Conquest (v.6-12)

David rejoiced in the victory God has given to him (v.6). He describes the various cities he has victory over (v.6 - 8). David looked at the cities before him and knew that God will lead him into these strong cities. He acknowledges that the help of man is vain, but through God they will do “valiantly.” This means that David knew that they will have the “strength” to accomplish what God has given to him.

We can have confidence in God when we stand for God’s truth; we can cry out to God and know that God hears us and will grant us victory. This is why we can declare, “Through God we shall do valiantly.” But what is the victory we seek for today? How is victory to be measured? It is not measured by the size of churches, or by the wealth of the Church, but it is measured by the truth obeyed, upheld and proclaimed. It is measure by the light of one’s testimony shining brightly for the Lord. Victory today is where God will have His remnant who will stand for the Truth, He will not allow His Truth to be hidden or destroyed.

Though this victory is assured, yet David acknowledges that it is also his responsibility to look to this banner and to “do valiantly.” Even as God enables and strengthens, it is also David’s responsibility to join in this battle. Every Christian must rally around this banner today. This battle for the faith and for the truth is for every Christian today. Will you join in the battle seeing the banner that is given to you?

Am I a soldier of the Cross—
A follower of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?

Must I be carried to the skies
On flow’ry beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?

Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord;
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.

- Isaac Watts