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Psalms 83

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1God, 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 us 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 (public domain)

"O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!"

Psalms 83:1

Summary

Psalm 83 is a communal lament in which the psalmist, Asaph, beseeches God to intervene against a coalition of enemies that threaten Israel. The nations, described as God's enemies, are plotting against His people, seeking to destroy them entirely. The psalmist lists the enemies, emphasizing the multitude and unity of the threat. Asaph calls on God to act as He did in former days against ancient foes, invoking past victories to inspire confidence. The plea is for God to respond fiercely, to confound and disgrace the nations, ultimately seeking their conversion rather than mere destruction. The psalm concludes with the desire that the opponents recognize the Lord's sovereignty and seek His name.

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Chapter outline

How Psalms 83 unfolds

  1. Psalm 83:1–2 A Cry for God's Attention

    The psalmist calls on God not to remain silent or inactive, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

  2. Psalm 83:3–5 Enemies Conspire Against Israel

    The enemies of God are plotting against His people, expressing a desire to eradicate Israel's identity and presence.

  3. Psalm 83:6–8 List of Adversarial Nations

    The psalmist enumerates the nations forming a coalition against Israel, emphasizing their unity and shared intent to harm.

  4. Psalm 83:9–12 Plea for Divine Retribution

    Asaph requests that God act against these enemies as He did in historical battles, invoking specific past victories.

  5. Psalm 83:13–15 Imagery of Destruction

    The psalmist uses vivid imagery to request that God treat the enemies as worthless, like tumbleweed or chaff.

  6. Psalm 83:16–18 Desire for Divine Recognition

    The psalm concludes with a call for the enemies to seek God’s name and recognize His sovereignty over all.

Key verses

  • Psalms 83:1The key verse underscores the urgent plea for God's attention, which frames the entire chapter's appeal for divine intervention.

Main themes in Psalms 83

God's sovereignty

God's sovereignty is emphasized throughout Psalm 83, especially in verse 18, which declares that the people may know that God alone is the Most High. The psalmist recalls God's past interventions on behalf of Israel, highlighting His authority as crucial for the nation's survival against its enemies. This theme reveals the deep-seated belief that God's power is not only essential for justice but also for the protection and preservation of His people amidst their struggles.

trust in divine intervention

The call for God to act in verse 1 highlights the psalmist's reliance on divine intervention. Asaph’s invocation of historical victories demonstrates trust that God will respond to current threats as He has in the past. This theme reinforces the faithful expectation that God will respond to communal cries for help.

judgment against enemies

The psalmist explicitly requests judgment against Israel’s enemies throughout the psalm, particularly in verses 9-12. Asaph’s plea for them to be treated like past vanquished foes illustrates the desire for divine justice. This theme underscores the belief in God’s role as a protector who judges those who threaten His people.

call for divine justice

The overarching theme is a call for divine justice, seen in the psalmist's urgent pleas for intervention. The desire for God to confound the enemies in verse 16 reflects a deep longing for justice to be served. This theme culminates in a hope that enemies will recognize God's authority over all.

Cross-references

Passages that echo Psalms 83

Study questions

Questions for studying Psalms 83

  1. Who are the enemies mentioned in this psalm?
  2. What past events does Asaph invoke to support his plea?
  3. How does the imagery of tumbleweed and chaff contribute to the psalm's message?
  4. What does the psalmist hope the enemies will learn about God?
  5. How does the communal aspect of this psalm affect its tone and urgency?
  6. What role does divine intervention play in the psalm?

Psalms 83: frequently asked questions

What is Psalms 83 about?+
Psalm 83 is a communal lament in which the psalmist, Asaph, beseeches God to intervene against a coalition of enemies that threaten Israel. The nations, described as God's enemies, are plotting against His people, seeking to destroy them entirely. The psalmist lists the enemies, emphasizing the multitude and unity of the threat. Asaph calls on God to act as He did in former days against ancient foes, invoking past victories to inspire confidence. The plea is for God to respond fiercely, to confound and disgrace the nations, ultimately seeking their conversion rather than mere destruction. The psalm concludes with the desire that the opponents recognize the Lord's sovereignty and seek His name.
What is the key verse in Psalms 83?+
Psalms 83:1: "God, don’t keep silent. Don’t keep silent, and don’t be still, God."
What are the main themes of Psalms 83?+
The main themes of Psalms 83 are God's sovereignty, trust in divine intervention, judgment against enemies, call for divine justice.

Related chapters

Chapters that connect with Psalms 83

Study Notes