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Psalms 83

World English Bible

WEB

1A song. A Psalm by Asaph. God, don’t keep silent. Don’t keep silent, and don’t be still, God. 2For, behold, your enemies are stirred up. Those who hate you have lifted up their heads. 3They 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.” 5For they have conspired together with one mind. They form an alliance against you. 6The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab, and the Hagrites; 7Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8Assyria also is joined with them. They have helped the children of Lot. Selah. 9Do to them as you did to Midian, as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the river Kishon; 10who perished at Endor, who became as dung for the earth. 11Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, yes, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, 12who said, “Let’s take possession of God’s pasture lands.” 13My God, make them like tumbleweed, like chaff before the wind. 14As the fire that burns the forest, as the flame that sets the mountains on fire, 15so pursue them with your tempest, and terrify them with your storm. 16Fill their faces with confusion, that they may seek your name, Yahweh. 17Let them be disappointed and dismayed forever. Yes, let them be confounded and perish; 18that they may know that you alone, whose name is Yahweh, are the Most High over all the earth.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Psalms 83 is a communal lament that calls upon God to intervene against the enemies of Israel. The psalmist begins by expressing a sense of urgency, asking God not to remain silent or inactive as the nations conspire against His people. The enemies are described as a coalition of various groups, including the #Edomites, #Ishmaelites, #Moabites, and others, who have united with the intent to destroy Israel and erase its name from memory. This highlights the ongoing struggle that Israel faces against those who seek to undermine its existence and relationship with God.

The psalmist then recounts the historical victories of God over Israel's foes, invoking the memory of past deliverances, such as the defeat of #Sisera and #Jabin at the river #Kishon, and the destruction of the Midianites. By recalling these events, the psalmist appeals to God's character as a mighty warrior who fights for His people. The psalm concludes with a fervent plea for God to act decisively against the enemies, so that all nations may know that He alone is the Most High, and that they may be put to shame and perish. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of relying on God's strength in times of trouble and the assurance that He will ultimately defend His people.

Study

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Referenced by

  1. Ezekiel 35:10v4Ezekiel 35:10 highlights Edom's desire to possess the lands of Israel and Judah. Psalm 83:4-6 lists Edom among the nations conspiring to destroy Israel and take its land.

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