Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 60:1-5

"O God thou hast cast us off, thou hast broken us down; Thou hast been angry; oh restore us again. Thou hast made the land to tremble; thou hast rent it: Heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh. Thou hast showed thy people hard things: Thou hast made us to drink the wine of staggering. Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, That it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah That thy beloved may be delivered, Save with thy right hand, and answer us." — Psalms 60:1-5 (ASV)

David acknowledges God's displeasure to be the cause of all the hardships he had endured. And when God is turning his hand in our favor, it is good to remember our former troubles. In God's displeasure their troubles began, therefore in his favor their prosperity must begin.

Those breaches and divisions that human folly and corruption create, only the wisdom and grace of God can repair, by pouring out a spirit of love and peace, through which alone a kingdom is saved from ruin. The anger of God against sin is the only cause of all misery, private or public, that has been, is, or will be.

In all these cases there is no remedy except by returning to the Lord with repentance, faith, and prayer, beseeching him to return to us. Christ, the Son of David, is given for a banner to those who fear God; in him they are gathered together as one and take courage. In his name and strength they wage war with the powers of darkness.