Psalms 83
Psalms 83 is part of “Book III: The Leviticus Book” (73–89) in the outline of Psalms.
Psalms 83 summary
This psalm is the last of those that go under the name of Asaph. It is penned, as most of those, upon a public account, with reference to the insults of the church's enemies, who sought its ruin. Some think it was penned upon occasion of the threatening descent which was made upon the land of Judah in Jehoshaphat's time by the Moabites and Ammonites, those children of Lot here spoken of (Psa 83:8), who were at the head of the alliance and to whom all the other states here mentioned were auxiliaries. We have the story Ch2 20:1, where it is said, The children of Moab and Ammon, and others besides them, invaded the land.
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This psalm is the last of those that go under the name of Asaph. It is penned, as most of those, upon a public account, with reference to the insults of the church's enemies, who sought its ruin. Some think it was penned upon occasion of the threatening descent which was made upon the land of Judah in Jehoshaphat's time by the Moabites and Ammonites, those children of Lot here spoken of (Psa 83:8), who were at the head of the alliance and to whom all the other states here mentioned were auxiliaries. We have the story Ch2 20:1, where it is said, The children of Moab and Ammon, and others besides them, invaded the land. Others think it was penned with reference to all the confederacies of the neighbouring nations against Israel, from first to last. The psalmist here makes an appeal and application, I. To God's knowledge, by a representation of their designs and endeavours to destroy Israel (Psa 83:1-8). II. To God's justice and jealousy, both for his church and for his own honour, by an earnest prayer for the defeat of their attempt, that the church might be preserved, the enemies humbled, and God glorified (Psa 83:9-18). This, in the singing of it, we may apply to the enemies of the gospel-church, all anti-christian powers and factions, representing to God their confederacies against Christ and his kingdom, and rejoicing in the hope that all their projects will be baffled and the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church. A song or psalm of Asaph.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Psalms 83 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
O God, Do Not Keep Silence
1A song, or Psalme committed to Asaph. Keep not thou silence, O God: bee not still, and cease not, O God. 2For lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee, haue lifted vp the head. 3They haue taken craftie counsell against thy people, and haue consulted against thy secret ones. 4They haue said, Come and let vs cut them off from being a nation: and let the name of Israel be no more in remembrance. 5For they haue consulted together in heart, and haue made a league against thee: 6The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Agarims: 7Gebal and Ammon, and Amalech, the Philistims with the inhabitants of Tyrus: 8Asshur also is ioyned with them: they haue bene an arme to the children of Lot. Selah. 9Doe thou to them as vnto the Midianites: as to Sisera and as to Iabin at the riuer of Kishon. 10They perished at En-dor, and were dung for the earth. 11Make them, euen their princes like Oreb and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes like Zebah and like Zalmuna. 12Which haue said, Let vs take for our possession the habitations of God. 13O my God, make them like vnto a wheele, and as the stubble before the winde. 14As the fire burneth the forest, and as the flame setteth the mountaines on fire: 15So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraide with thy storme. 16Fill their faces with shame, that they may seeke thy Name, O Lord. 17Let them be confounded and troubled for euer: yea, let them be put to shame and perish, 18That they may knowe that thou, which art called Iehouah, art alone, euen the most High ouer all the earth.