1 O God, do not keep silence;
do not hold your peace or be still, O God!
2 For behold, your enemies make an uproar;
those who hate you have raised their heads.
3 They lay crafty plans against your people;
they consult together against your treasured ones.
4 They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!”
5 For they conspire with one accord;
against you they make a covenant—
6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
Moab and the Hagrites,
7 Gebal and Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8 Asshur also has joined them; they are the strong arm of the children of Lot.
9 Do to them as you did to Midian,
as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,
10 who were destroyed at En-dor,
who became dung for the ground.
11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,
all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
12 who said, “Let us take possession of the pastures of God.”
13 O my God, make them like whirling dust,
like chaff before the wind.
14 As fire consumes the forest,
as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,
15 so may you pursue them with your tempest
and terrify them with your hurricane!
16 Fill their faces with shame,
that they may seek your name, O Lord.
17 Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace,
18 that they may know that you alone,
whose name is the Lord,
are the Most High over all the earth.
The True Meaning of Psalms 83
The Book of Psalms is a collection of sacred songs and prayers attributed to various authors, including King David, who is believed to have written the majority of the psalms. Psalm 83 is a prayer for divine intervention against a coalition of nations that have conspired to destroy Israel. The psalmist, likely King David or one of his contemporaries, calls upon God to intervene and defeat the enemies who have gathered against the people of Israel in this chapter. The psalmist reminds God of the historical precedents of divine deliverance, such as the defeat of the Midianites (Judges 7) and the Canaanites (Joshua 10-11). The psalmist also invokes the names of the nations that have joined forces against Israel, foreshadowing the impending conflict and the need for God’s protection.
The psalm reflects the ongoing struggle of the Israelites to maintain their identity and independence in the face of external threats. It also highlights the importance of trust in God’s power and the belief that divine intervention can turn the tide of history in favor of the faithful. As we delve into the details of this psalm, the psalmist’s plea for help resonates with the broader themes of the Bible, such as the covenant relationship between God and his people, the importance of obedience, and the promise of divine deliverance.
Psalms 83:1-4
The psalmist in Psalms 83:1-4 begins by calling upon God not to remain silent and not to be still or inactive. The psalmist is expressing a sense of urgency and desperation in asking for God’s attention and intervention. This sets the tone for the rest of the psalm, where the psalmist details the national enemies conspiring against Israel. The psalmist is seeking God’s protection and deliverance from these enemies.
The psalmist goes on to describe the enemies of Israel as a tumultuous assembly, a group of nations coming together against God’s chosen people. This depiction highlights the scale and severity of the threat facing Israel at the time. The mention of enemies conspiring and enemies who hate God’s people echoes throughout the history of Israel, as they often found themselves surrounded by hostile nations seeking their downfall.
The enemies are described with strong and vivid language, with terms like tumult, crafty counsel, and hidden ones used to convey a sense of deception and malicious intent. This emphasizes the cunning and deceitful nature of Israel’s enemies, who are not only actively seeking to destroy them but are also plotting in secrecy. This imagery serves to underline the constant struggle faced by God’s people against powerful and deceitful adversaries throughout history.
The reference to the enemies saying, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation,” reveals the ultimate goal of Israel’s adversaries – to annihilate Israel as a nation. This echoes the numerous times in history when Israel faced existential threats from neighboring nations seeking to wipe them out. Despite these threats, the psalmist’s plea to God for protection and intervention demonstrates a deep faith and trust in God’s power to deliver His people from their enemies. God’s protection and deliverance of His people resonates throughout the Old Testament in the broader context of the Bible. From the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt to their victories in battles against formidable enemies, God consistently demonstrated His faithfulness in preserving and defending His chosen people. This psalm serves as a reminder of God’s sovereignty over the nations and His unfailing commitment to protect those who belong to Him.
Psalms 83:5-8
The verses in Psalms 83:5-8 read that they have consulted together with one consent and are confederate against thee. Selah.”
Here, the psalmist is describing a group of nations that have conspired and formed an alliance against God’s people. The mention of Edom, Ishmaelites, Moab, Hagarenes, Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, Philistines, Tyre, Assur, and the children of Lot highlights a diverse coalition that has united for the purpose of oppressing and attacking the people of God.
Edom, descendants of Esau, had a long history of enmity with the Israelites, stemming from the sibling rivalry between Esau and Jacob. The Ishmaelites were the descendants of Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar, and were often involved in conflicts with the descendants of Isaac. Moab and Ammon were descended from Lot, the nephew of Abraham, born through incest with his daughters after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Philistines were constant adversaries of the Israelites, particularly during the time of Samson and David. Tyre was a prominent city known for its wealth and commerce, often engaging in trade with various nations.
Despite the different origins and backgrounds of these nations, they are depicted as coming together with a unified purpose – to oppose and harm God’s chosen people. The mention of Assur (Assyria), a powerful empire known for its military prowess, aligning with this coalition adds to the formidable threat facing the Israelites. This description of a multinational alliance against God’s people in Psalms 83 serves as a reminder of the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil, righteousness and wickedness, throughout history. It shows that God’s people have often faced opposition and persecution from various quarters, but also serves as a testament to God’s faithfulness in delivering and preserving His people.
This passage resonates with other verses in the Bible that speak of God’s protection over His people in the face of enemies. Isaiah 54:17 says, “You shall condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment; no weapon formed against you shall prosper.” This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.” This assurance of divine protection and ultimate victory over adversaries echoes throughout Psalms 83, inspiring believers to trust in God’s sovereignty even in the midst of challenges and opposition.
Psalms 83:9-12
The verses in Psalms 83, 9-12, state: “Do to them as you did to Midian, as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon, who perished at Endor and became like dung on the ground. Their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, who said, ‘Let us take possession of the pasturelands of God. The psalmist in these verses is calling upon God to act against the enemies of Israel with similar divine intervention as in past victories. The mention of Midian refers to the story in the book of Judges where Gideon defeated the Midianites with a small army, showing the power of God to deliver His people against overwhelming odds. Sisera was the commander of the Canaanite army defeated by Deborah and Barak, illustrating that God is the ultimate victor in battles. Jabin was a Canaanite king defeated by the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua, demonstrating that God fulfills His promises to His people.
The reference to the river Kishon is significant as it was where Elijah confronted and defeated the prophets of Baal, showing that God’s power is manifest even in the face of fierce opposition. The mention of Endor, where King Saul consulted a medium before his final battle, serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God’s guidance and seeking other sources of wisdom.
The psalmist calls for the nobles of Israel’s enemies to be made like Oreb and Zeeb, princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, all of whom were defeated by Gideon in the same Midianite battle mentioned earlier. This highlights the pattern of God’s faithfulness in delivering His people from their adversaries throughout history. The enemies’ desire to take possession of the pasturelands of God reflects their ambition to usurp what rightfully belongs to God and His chosen people. These verses overall underscore the theme of divine deliverance and justice for the righteous. They serve as a reminder that God is the ultimate protector and avenger of His people, and that those who oppose Him will ultimately be defeated. The historical references mentioned in these verses provide a rich tapestry of stories from Israel’s past, showcasing God’s sovereignty and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises.
Psalms 83:13-18
The verses in Psalms 83:13-18 describe the fate of the enemies of God’s people. Let’s break down this passage to understand its profound meaning in the context of the Bible and how it relates to the overall message of Psalms 83.
Verse 13 begins with, “Make them like tumbleweed, my God, like chaff before the wind.” Here, the psalmist is calling upon God to bring destruction upon their enemies, likening them to tumbleweeds and chaff that are easily scattered by the wind. This imagery conveys the idea of complete and utter destruction, emphasizing the power and authority of God over the fate of those who oppose His people. This verse serves as a reminder that God’s judgment is just and inevitable for those who stand against Him and His chosen ones. Verse 14 says, “As fire consumes the forest or a flame sets the mountains ablaze.”” This vivid imagery of fire consuming a forest or blazing mountains conveys the intensity and unstoppable nature of God’s judgment. Fire in the Bible is often a symbol of purification, but it can also represent destruction and judgment. The psalmist in this context is invoking God’s righteous judgment to consume and eliminate the enemies of His people completely. Continue in verse 15, pursuing them with your tempest and terrifying them with your storm.” Here, the psalmist calls upon God to pursue the enemies with a tempest and terrify them with a storm. This alludes to the idea of God’s power being likened to a storm, overwhelming and unstoppable. This reinforces the belief that God will not allow the enemies of His people to prevail and will bring justice and retribution upon them in His own time and way.
The passage concludes with verses 16-18, “Cover their faces with shame, Lord, so that they will seek your name. May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace. Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord—that you alone are the Most High over all the earth. The psalmist prays for the ultimate defeat and humiliation of the enemies of God’s people in these concluding verses. The plea for shame and disgrace upon the enemies is not out of a sense of revenge, but rather a desire for them to recognize the sovereignty and power of the one true God. It is a plea for their hearts to turn towards God in repentance and acknowledgement of His supremacy over all the earth. The psalmist in Psalms 83:13-18 illustrates a fervent plea for God’s judgment upon the enemies of His people, emphasizing God’s power, righteousness, and sovereignty. It serves as a reminder of God’s ultimate authority and justice, as well as a call for all people to acknowledge and submit to Him. This passage echoes throughout the Bible, where the theme of God’s judgment and redemption of His people is a constant thread, pointing towards the final victory and reign of God over all creation.
After Psalms 83
The final paragraph of a summary of this chapter could be as follows:
The psalmist cried out to God, pleading for Him to act against the nations that conspired against Israel. He asked God to defeat their enemies, to make them like tumbleweeds and chaff before the wind. The psalmist longed for God to bring shame and terror upon those who sought to destroy His people, that they may seek the Lord’s name. With this urgent plea for divine intervention, the stage is set for the next chapter, where we will see how the Almighty responds to the cries of His faithful servant.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.