Psalms Chapter 83 — A Plea for Protection Against Nations
The psalmist asks God to break His silence and protect Israel from a group of allied nations seeking to destroy them and erase their name.
1God, don’t keep silent.
2For, behold, your enemies are stirred up.
3They conspire with cunning against your people.
4“Come,” they say, “let’s destroy them as a nation,
5For they have conspired together with one mind.
6The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites;
7Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek;
8Assyria also is joined with them.
9Do to them as you did to Midian,
10who perished at Endor,
11Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,
12who said, “Let’s take possession of God’s pasture lands.”
13My God, make them like tumbleweed,
14As the fire that burns the forest,
15so pursue them with your tempest,
16Fill their faces with confusion,
17Let them be disappointed and dismayed forever.
18that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD,*LORD or GOD in all caps is from the Hebrew יהוה Yahweh except when otherwise noted as being from the short form יה Yah.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Psalms 83:1
“God, don’t keep silent. Don’t hold your peace, and don’t be still, God.”
This verse establishes the urgent, petitionary tone of the entire psalm as the speaker seeks God's active presence.
Psalms 83:18
“that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.”
This verse defines the ultimate purpose of the prayer as the global recognition of God's unique authority.
Chapter Summary
Psalm 83 is a communal lament attributed to Asaph, functioning as a plea for God to intervene against a strategic alliance of nations. The psalmist reports that these enemies are plotting with one mind to eliminate Israel’s existence so that its name is no longer remembered. The text identifies several specific groups, including Edom, the Ishmaelites, Moab, and Assyria, who have united to seize the lands of God. The psalmist asks God to repeat the historical judgments performed against Midian and the commanders Sisera and Jabin. The prayer utilizes vivid imagery of tumbleweeds, fire, and tempests to describe the desired scattering of these foes. The ultimate purpose of this requested divine action is not merely the defeat of enemies, but a global demonstration of God's unique sovereignty, leading people to recognize that the Lord alone is the Most High over all the earth.
Frequently Asked Questions
The psalm is attributed to Asaph, a prominent musician and worship leader in the Israelite community. Asaph and his descendants are credited with several psalms that focus on communal prayers and historical reflections.
The text lists several groups including Edom, the Ishmaelites, Moab, the Hagrites, Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia, Tyre, and Assyria. These groups formed a strategic alliance with the goal of eliminating Israel as a sovereign nation.
The psalmist asks God to repeat victories recorded in the book of Judges, specifically the defeat of Midian and the fates of leaders like Sisera, Jabin, Oreb, and Zeeb. These examples serve as precedents for God intervening on behalf of His people.
Study Note
The names Oreb and Zeeb in verse 11 refer to Midianite princes defeated by Gideon during the period of the judges.
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