The Bible: Psalms Chapter 83: with Audio and Commentary.

Version: World English Bible.

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Psalms Chapter 83 A song. A Psalm by Asaph.

1 God, don't keep silent. Don't keep silent, and don't be still, God.

2 For, behold, your enemies are stirred up. Those who hate you have lifted up their heads.

3 They conspire with cunning against your people. They plot against your cherished ones.

4 "Come," they say, "let's destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more."

5 For they have conspired together with one mind. They form an alliance against you.

6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab, and the Hagrites;

7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;

8 Assyria also is joined with them. They have helped the children of Lot. Selah.

9 Do to them as you did to Midian, as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the river Kishon;

10 who perished at Endor, who became as dung for the earth.

11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, yes, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,

12 who said, "Let's take possession of God's pasture lands."

13 My God, make them like tumbleweed, like chaff before the wind.

14 As the fire that burns the forest, as the flame that sets the mountains on fire,

15 so pursue them with your tempest, and terrify them with your storm.

16 Fill their faces with confusion, that they may seek your name, LORD.

17 Let them be disappointed and dismayed forever. Yes, let them be confounded and perish;

18 that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.

Footnotes

Version: World English Bible

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Psalms Chapter 83 A song. A Psalm by Asaph. Guide

The psalmist has a vision of the confederacy of all the enemies of the people of God. This he describes as to its process, it constitution, and its purpose. They have taken counsel together with the avowed purpose of the annihilation of the very first part of the psalm ends (vv. Psalms 83:1-8).

The song then becomes a prayer definitely for the destruction of this confederacy, and the confusion of its purpose. Past victories are referred to, and in a strong and overwhelming sense of peril the cry for the Divine activity is poured forth. Here again, as constantly, this attitude of the singer must be accounted for according to his own declaration. In describing the confederacy he declared,

"For they have consulted together with one consent;
Against Thee do they make a covenant."

At the close of the prayer he says,

"That they may know that Thou alone, Whose name is JEHOVAH,
Art the Most High over all the earth."

These singers of the ancient people were all inspired supremely with a passion for the honour of God. With them, as with the prophets, selfish motives were unknown. Selfishness sings no songs, and sees no visions. On the other hand, a passion for the glory of God is capable of great sternness, as well as of great tenderness.

From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.

Psalms Chapter 83 Commentary

Chapter Outline

  1. The designs of the enemies of Israel. -- (1-8)
  2. Earnest prayer for their defeat. -- (9-18)

Verses 1-8

Sometimes God seems not to be concerned at the unjust treatment of his people. But then we may call upon him, as the psalmist here. All wicked people are God's enemies, especially wicked persecutors. The Lord's people are his hidden one; the world knows them not. He takes them under his special protection. Do the enemies of the church act with one consent to destroy it, and shall not the friends of the church be united? Wicked men wish that there might be no religion among mankind. They would gladly see all its restraints shaken off, and all that preach, profess, or practise it, cut off. This they would bring to pass if it were in their power. The enemies of God's church have always been many: this magnifies the power of the Lord in preserving to himself a church in the world.

Verses 9-18

All who oppose the kingdom of Christ may here read their doom. God is the same still that ever he was; the same to his people, and the same against his and their enemies. God would make their enemies like a wheel; unsettled in all their counsels and resolves. Not only let them be driven away as stubble, but burnt as stubble. And this will be the end of wicked men. Let them be made to fear thy name, and perhaps that will bring them to seek thy name. We should desire no confusion to our enemies and persecutors but what may forward their conversion. The stormy tempest of Divine vengeance will overtake them, unless they repent and seek the pardoning mercy of their offended Lord. God's triumphs over his enemies, clearly prove that he is, according to his name JEHOVAH, an almighty Being, who has all power and perfection in himself. May we fear his wrath, and yield ourselves to be his willing servants. And let us seek deliverance by the destruction of our fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.

From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.