Psalms 83

¹A Song or Psalm of Asaph. Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.

Psa 83:1-18. Of Asaph--(See on Psa 74:1, title). The historical occasion is probably that of 2Ch 20:1, 2 (compare Psa 47:1-9; 48:1-14). After a general petition, the craft and rage of the combined enemies are described, God’s former dealings recited, and a like summary and speedy destruction on them is invoked. 1. God addressed as indifferent (compare Psa 35:22; 39:12). be not still--literally, “not quiet,” as opposed to action.

²For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.

2. thine enemies--as well as ours (Psa 74:23; Is 37:23).

³They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.

3. hidden ones--whom God specially protects (Psa 27:5; 91:1).

⁴They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

4. from being a nation--utter destruction (Is 7:8; 23:1). Israel--here used for Judah, having been the common name.

⁵For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:

5. they have consulted--with heart, or cordially. together--all alike.

⁶The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;

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

⁸Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.

6-8. tabernacles--for people (Psa 78:67). they--all these united with the children of Lot, or Ammonites and Moabites (compare 2Ch 20:1).

⁹Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:

¹⁰Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.

¹¹Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:

9-11. Compare the similar fate of these (2Ch 20:23) with that of the foes mentioned in Jud 7:22, here referred to. They destroyed one another (Jud 4:6-24; 7:25). Human remains form manure (compare 2Ki 9:37; Jr 9:22).

¹²Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.

12. The language of the invaders. houses--literally, “residences,” enclosures, as for flocks (Psa 65:12). of God--as the proprietors of the land (2Ch 20:11; Is 14:25).

¹³O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.

13. like a wheel--or, whirling of any light thing (Is 17:13), as stubble or chaff (Psa 1:4).

¹⁴As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;

¹⁵So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.

14-15. Pursue them to an utter destruction.

¹⁶Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.

16. that they may seek--or as Psa 83:18, supply “men,” since Psa 83:17, 18 amplify the sentiment of Psa 83:16, expressing more fully the measure of destruction, and the lesson of God’s being and perfections (compare 2Ch 20:29) taught to all men.