Tehillim 59–60 | The Relationship Between the Heading and the Content

Psalms 59 and 60 both carry clear historical headings, and they serve as prime examples of psalms where the heading prompts questions about how closely it aligns with the psalm’s content.

The heading of Psalm 59 states that it was composed when Sha’ul sent men to kill David at his house. Indeed, part of the psalm matches that context, describing David’s distress over enemies who lie in ambush for him, though he has done no wrong: “For look – they lurk in ambush – fierce men lie in wait for me for no crime or offense of mine, Lord” (59:4).

However, a significant part of the psalm seems unrelated to that historical context. David prays for God to punish all the nations: “You, Lord God of Hosts, are the God of Israel; stir and call all the nations to account” (59:6; see also verses 9 and 15). What do the nations have to do with the matter at hand? The danger David faces here is from his fellow Israelites, not from foreign powers.

The commentators offer various explanations for the reference to the nations. Rashi explains that David asks God to judge the wicked as He would judge the nations. Radak suggests that David, starting from his current trouble, broadens his vision and prays for universal redemption — asking for the removal of all wickedness from the world. It seems this psalm may exemplify the idea that a psalm’s content is not always confined strictly to the historical event mentioned in its heading. It’s possible that the psalm was recited during the historical incident but was composed with a broader intent — or the reverse: in his moment of distress, David may have drawn upon a psalm previously composed with a more general purpose. Much like we use ancient psalms today even when their words do not match our current experience word for word, so too may David have repurposed a general psalm for a particular moment. A prayer or psalm carries not only contextual meaning but also a broader spiritual resonance — a general plea for salvation or a desire to draw close to God.

Psalm 60 also raises a similar issue regarding the alignment of heading and content. The heading refers to a successful battle of David and Yoav against Aram and Edom, a victory known to us from Shmuel and Divrei HaYamim. However, the content of the psalm is harsh and even includes an accusation against God: “Have You not forsaken us, God? God, You no longer march out with our forces” (60:12). Various explanations have been proposed, and following the approach of Ibn Ezra, we might suggest that the psalm was composed in the middle of the war — during hardship, before victory was assured. While Sefer Shmuel records the final triumph, the path to that moment was marked by fear and uncertainty. This psalm offers us a glimpse into those dark, precarious moments. Afterward, the people could celebrate the victory described in Shmuel and proclaim: “With God, we will triumph valiantly, and He will trample our enemies” (60:14).