Lexical Summary patsam: To break, to crush Original Word: פָצַם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance break A primitive root; to rend (by earthquake) -- break. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to split open NASB Translation split it open (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מָּצַם] verb split open (Arabic  crack; ᵑ7 מַּצֵם Jeremiah 22:14, cut out, make, window); — Qal Perfect2masculine singular suffix of earth, מְּצַמְתָּ֑הּ Psalm 60:4 (subject God). Topical Lexicon Overview פָצַם (pātsam) depicts the violent rending or cracking open of something once thought solid and secure. In Psalm 60:2 the psalmist cries, “You have shaken the land and torn it open; mend its fractures, for it is quaking”. The imagery is that of a land split apart by seismic upheaval, a metaphor for national calamity brought on by divine displeasure. Biblical Occurrence and Context Psalm 60 is a communal lament composed in the setting of David’s military campaigns (see the superscription). While the historical note points to victories recorded in 2 Samuel 8 and 1 Chronicles 18, the psalm itself voices the nation’s sense of disorientation after earlier defeats. Verse 2 employs pātsam to portray Judah as a cracked landscape needing repair. The plea assumes that the same God who split the land can just as readily heal it (Psalm 60:2, 4-5). Theological Themes 1. Divine Sovereignty over Creation: The splitting of the earth is attributed directly to God, underscoring His unrestricted power over nature (compare Psalm 46:6, Isaiah 24:19–20). Historical Background Ancient Near Eastern peoples interpreted earthquakes and fissures as portents of the gods’ anger. Psalm 60 transforms that cultural backdrop by locating the cause within Yahweh’s righteous governance. David’s campaigns against Edom, Aram, and other enemies (2 Samuel 8) revealed geopolitical fractures that only divine favor could mend. The psalm therefore stands at the intersection of military history and worship, teaching Israel to read political events theologically. Literary Significance Pātsam is a hapax legomenon, lending sharp poetic force to Psalm 60. The sudden, jarring consonants mirror the jolting experience of an earthquake. The verb’s uniqueness invites readers to linger on its imagery, much as Isaiah’s rare term “raquah” enhances the picture of the heavens being stretched out (Isaiah 40:22). Hebrew poetry often employs singular words to arrest attention and evoke emotion; Psalm 60:2 is a prime example. Ministry and Pastoral Application • Preaching: The verse speaks to communities experiencing societal upheaval—war, economic collapse, natural disaster—reminding hearers that God remains both Judge and Healer (Hosea 6:1-2). Christological and Eschatological Connections At the crucifixion the earth quaked and rocks split (Matthew 27:51-54), signifying judgment borne by Christ on behalf of sinners. Yet through His resurrection God “repaired the breach” between Himself and humanity (Hebrews 10:19-22). Eschatologically, earthquakes accompany divine visitation (Revelation 6:12; 16:18), but the new creation promises a kingdom “that cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28). Thus pātsam anticipates both the shaking of current realities and the ultimate healing found in Jesus Christ. Devotional Reflection When life feels as though the very ground has opened beneath us, Psalm 60:2 teaches believers to move beyond panic to petition: “Mend its fractures.” The verse encourages honest acknowledgment of divine discipline while clinging to God’s proven willingness to restore. The cracks become invitations to deeper trust, reminding the church that every shaking ultimately serves the purpose of unshakeable grace. Forms and Transliterations פְּצַמְתָּ֑הּ פצמתה pə·ṣam·tāh pəṣamtāh petzamTahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 60:2 HEB: הִרְעַ֣שְׁתָּה אֶ֣רֶץ פְּצַמְתָּ֑הּ רְפָ֖ה שְׁבָרֶ֣יהָ NAS: quake, You have split it open; Heal KJV: to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal INT: quake the land have split Heal breaches 1 Occurrence |
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