God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.

PSALMS 60:6KJV
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Psalms 60:6 (KJV)

What does Psalms 60:6 mean?

Psalms 60:6 describes God declaring something from His holiness, and the speaker—traditionally David—responding with joy, saying he will divide Shechem and measure out the valley of Succoth. The verse shows confidence that God’s promise or word gives authority to claim and organize these regions.

In this verse, David is speaking after hearing God’s declaration, likely during a time of military struggle or uncertainty. Shechem and the valley of Succoth are real places in the land of Israel, and mentioning them points to God’s control over the land and His support for David’s leadership. The verse is about God’s faithfulness to His promises and the resulting confidence for the people.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 60:6

  • "God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): This is a common Hebrew word for God, emphasizing His power and majesty, which sets the tone for the authority behind the declaration.
  • "holiness" (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh): This word means sacredness or set-apartness. God’s words come from His unique, pure character, so the promise is trustworthy and unchanging.
  • "divide" (חָלַק, chalaq): This verb means to portion out or distribute. It suggests not just taking land, but organizing and assigning it, which is an act of leadership and order.
  • "mete out" (מָדַד, madad): This means to measure or assign by measure. It adds the sense of careful, deliberate apportioning, not random or chaotic action.

Why Psalms 60:6 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David’s authority over the land is not based on his own power, but on God’s holy promise, which would have reassured the people in a time of conflict.
  • The mention of specific places like Shechem and Succoth grounds the promise in real geography, showing that God’s care and rule are practical and not just abstract.
  • The verse connects to the wider psalm, which deals with defeat and restoration, highlighting that God’s word is the turning point for hope and victory.

Where else these words appear

“rejoice” Hebrew H5937 · used in 16 verses

  • 2 Samuel 1:20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.
  • Psalms 108:7 God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
  • Jeremiah 15:17 I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.

“Succoth” Hebrew H5523 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 33:17 And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.
  • Joshua 13:27 And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.
  • Judges 8:15 And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?

“out” Hebrew H4058 · used in 49 verses

  • Exodus 16:18 And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.
  • Ezekiel 40:13 He measured then the gate from the roof of one little chamber to the roof of another: the breadth was five and twenty cubits, door against door.
  • Ezekiel 41:13 So he measured the house, an hundred cubits long; and the separate place, and the building, with the walls thereof, an hundred cubits long;

“Shechem” Hebrew H7927 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 12:6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.
  • Joshua 17:7 And the coast of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethah, that lieth before Shechem; and the border went along on the right hand unto the inhabitants of Entappuah.
  • Judges 9:28 And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?