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Psalms 60 · Grade 5

The Help of Man Is Vain

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Read and Think

The title of Psalm 60 calls it a teaching poem by David, written when he fought with Aram Naharaim and Aram Zobah, and Joab returned and killed twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt. Strikingly, the psalm opens with lament rather than celebration: God, you have rejected us. You have broken us down. You have been angry. Restore us, again.

The people describe their land as torn by an earthquake and themselves as staggering from wine. Yet God has given a banner to those who fear him, a rallying point in the confusion. Then God speaks from his sanctuary. He divides Shechem and Succoth, claims Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim and Judah, and treats Moab, Edom and Philistia as servants. The whole land belongs to him.

The final verses are a prayer for help in battle with Edom. The people ask, Haven't you, God, rejected us? but then pray, Give us help against the adversary, for the help of man is vain. Their last word is confident: Through God we will do valiantly, for it is he who will tread down our adversaries. Verses 5-12 appear again in Psalm 108.

Show What You Know

  1. Why is it striking that the psalm opens with lament?

  2. What does God claim when he speaks from his sanctuary?

  3. What lesson do the people learn about help?

  4. Which other psalm repeats verses 5-12?

Crossword

321

Across

  1. So that your ____ may be delivered.
  2. Save with your right ____.

Down

  1. You have given a ____ to those who fear you.
  2. Through God we will do ____.
  3. For the ____ of man is vain.

Think About It

  1. When have you tried to fix something on your own instead of asking God?

  2. How can you remember that through God you can do valiantly?

Memory Verse

“Through God we will do valiantly, for it is he who will tread down our adversaries.”

Psalms 60:12 (WEB)

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Prayer

Dear God, thank You for helping your people. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • Why does the psalm start sad but end strong?
  • What challenge can you face with courage because God is with you?
  • What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.