Psalms 83
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
(See on Psa 8:1, title, and Psa 42:1, title). The writer describes the desirableness of God's worship and prays for a restoration to its privileges. (Psa 84:1-12) amiable--not lovely, but beloved. tabernacles-- (Psa 43:3).
Open source ↗Keep not thou silence, O God,.... Which he is thought and said to do, when he does not answer the prayers of his people, nor plead their cause, nor rebuke their enemies; when he does not speak a good word to them, or one for them, or one against those that hate and persecute them; hold not thy peace; or "be not deaf" (b) to the cries and tears of his people, and to the reproaches, menaces, and blasphemies of wicked men: and be not still, O God; or "quiet" (c), at rest and ease, inactive and unconcerned, as if he cared not how things went; the reason follows. (b) "ne obsurdescas", Vatablus; "ne surdum agas", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "ne quasi surdus et mutus sis", Michaelis. (c) "ne quiescas", Pagninus, Montanus, Musculus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Gejerus; "neque quietus sis", Michaelis.
Open source ↗The poet prays, may God not remain an inactive looker-on in connection with the danger of destruction that threatens His people. דּמי (with which יהי is to be supplied) is the opposite of alertness; חרשׁ the opposite of speaking (in connection with which it is assumed that God's word is at the same time deed); שׁקט the opposite of being agitated and activity. The energetic future jehemajûn gives outward emphasis to the confirmation of the petition, and the fact that Israel's foes are the foes of God gives inward emphasis to it. On נשׂא ראשׁ, cf. Psa 110:7. סוד is here a secret agreement; and יערימוּ, elsewhere to deal craftily, here signifies to craftily plot, devise, bring a thing about. צפוּניך is to be understood according to Psa 27:5; Psa 31:21. The Hithpa. התיעץ alternates here with the more ancient Niph. (Psa 83:6). The design of the enemies in this instance has reference to the total extirpation of Israel, of the separatist-people who exclude themselves from the life of the world and condemn it. מגּוי, from being a people = so that it may no longer be a people or nation, as in Isa 7:8; Isa 17:1; Isa 25:2; Jer 48:42. In the borrowed passage, Jer 48:2, by an interchange of a letter it is נכריתנּה. This Asaph Psalm is to be discerned in not a few passages of the prophets; cf. Isa 62:6. with Psa 83:2, Isa 17:12 with Psa 83:3.
Open source ↗The Israel of God were now in danger, and fear, and great distress, and yet their prayer is called, A song or psalm; for singing psalms is not unseasonable, no, not when the harps are hung upon the willow-trees. I. The psalmist here begs of God to appear on the behalf of his injured threatened people (Psa 83:1): "Keep not thou silence, O God! but give judgment for us against those that do us an apparent wrong." Thus Jehoshaphat prayed upon occasion of that invasion (Ch2 20:11), Behold, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession. Sometimes God seems to connive at the unjust treatment which is given to his people; he keeps silence, as one that either did not observe it or did not concern himself in it; he holds his peace, as if he would observe an exact neutrality, and let them fight it out; he is still, and gives not the enemies of his people any disturbance or opposition, but seems to sit by as a man astonished, or as a mighty man that cannot save. Then he gives us leave to call upon him, as here, "Keep not thou silence, O God! Lord, speak to us by the prophets for our encouragement against our fears" (as he did in reference to that invasion, Ch2 20:14, etc.); "Lord, speak for us by the providence and speak against our enemies; speak deliverance to us and disappointment to them." God's speaking is his acting; for with him saying and doing are the same thing. II. He here gives an account of the grand alliance of the neighbouring nations against Israel, which he begs of God to break, and blast the projects of. Now observe here, 1. Against whom this confederacy is formed; it is against the Israel of God, and so, in effect, against the God of Israel. Thus the psalmist takes care to interest God in their cause, not doubting but that, if it appeared that the…
Open source ↗Ps 83 This community lament asks God for rescue and victory. The terse poetry suggests difficult times. A powerful coalition desires to destroy Israel (83:1-4) and allies itself against God (83:5-8). Recalling the fate of others who came against Israel (83:9-12), the psalmist prays that the same will happen to these enemies (83:13-16) so that God will receive honor among them (83:17-18). It is unclear whether this psalm arose out of a specific historical instance of opposition by these nations, or if it is a poetic collage of nations representing Israel’s enemies. 83:1-4 The enemy has successfully intimidated God’s people, so the poet prays that the Lord will hear and act.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שִׁיר (shîyr, H7892) — a song; abstractly, singing מִזְמוֹר (mizmôwr, H4210) — properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes אָסָף (ʼÂçâph, H623) — Asaph, the name of three Israelites, and of the family of the first דְּמִי (dᵉmîy, H1824) — quiet אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… חָרַשׁ (chârash, H2790) — to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to… שָׁקַט (shâqaṭ, H8252) — to repose (usually figurative) אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)
Open source ↗אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary הָמָה (hâmâh, H1993) — to make a loud sound (like English 'hum'); by implication, to be in great commotion or… שָׂנֵא (sânêʼ, H8130) — to hate (personally) נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of…
Open source ↗עָרַם (ʻâram, H6191) — properly, to be (or make) bare; but used only in the derivative sense (through the idea… סוֹד (çôwd, H5475) — a session, i.e. company of persons (in close deliberation); by implication, intimacy,… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יָעַץ (yâʻats, H3289) — to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve צָפַן (tsâphan, H6845) — to hide (by covering over); by implication, to hoard or reserve; figuratively to deny;…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) כָּחַד (kâchad, H3582) — to secrete, by act or word; hence (intensively) to destroy גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity זָכַר (zâkar, H2142) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention;…
Open source ↗יָעַץ (yâʻats, H3289) — to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
Open source ↗אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) אֱדֹם (ʼĔdôm, H123) — Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob; hence the region (Idumaea) occupied by him יִשְׁמָעֵאלִי (Yishmâʻêʼlîy, H3459) — a Jishmaelite or descendant of Jishmael מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants הַגְרִי (Hagrîy, H1905) — a Hagrite or member of a certain Arabian clan
Open source ↗גְּבָל (Gᵉbâl, H1381) — Gebal, a region in Idumaea עַמּוֹן (ʻAmmôwn, H5983) — Ammon, a son of Lot; also his posterity and their country עֲמָלֵק (ʻĂmâlêq, H6002) — Amalek, a descendant of Esau; also his posterity and their country פְּלֶשֶׁת (Pᵉlesheth, H6429) — Pelesheth, a region of Syria יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… צֹר (Tsôr, H6865) — Tsor, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them… לָוָה (lâvâh, H3867) — properly, to twine, i.e. (by implication) to unite, to remain; also to borrow (as a form… זְרוֹעַ (zᵉrôwaʻ, H2220) — the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… לוֹט (Lôwṭ, H3876) — Lot, Abraham's nephew סֶלָה (çelâh, H5542) — suspension (of music), i.e. pause
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִדְיָן (Midyân, H4080) — Midjan, a son of Abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants סִיסְרָא (Çîyçᵉrâʼ, H5516) — Sisera, the name of a Canaanitish king and of one of the Nethinim יָבִין (Yâbîyn, H2985) — Jabin, the name of two Canaanitish kings נַחַל (nachal, H5158) — a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a… קִישׁוֹן (Qîyshôwn, H7028) — Kishon, a river of Palestine
Open source ↗שָׁמַד (shâmad, H8045) — to desolate עֵין־דֹּאר (ʻÊyn-Dôʼr, H5874) — En-Dor, a place in Palestine דֹּמֶן (dômen, H1828) — manure אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness)
Open source ↗שִׁית (shîyth, H7896) — to place (in a very wide application) נָדִיב (nâdîyb, H5081) — properly, voluntary, i.e. generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a… עֹרֵב (ʻÔrêb, H6159) — Oreb, the name of a Midianite and of the cliff near the Jordan זְאֵב (Zᵉʼêb, H2062) — Zeeb, a Midianitish prince נְסִיךְ (nᵉçîyk, H5257) — properly, something poured out, i.e. a libation; also a molten image; by implication, a… זֶבַח (Zebach, H2078) — Zebach, a Midianitish prince צַלְמֻנָּע (Tsalmunnâʻ, H6759) — Tsalmunna, a Midianite
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) נָאָה (nâʼâh, H4999) — a home; figuratively, a pasture אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by…
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… שִׁית (shîyth, H7896) — to place (in a very wide application) גַּלְגַּל (galgal, H1534) — a wheel; by analogy, a whirlwind; also dust (as whirled) קַשׁ (qash, H7179) — straw (as dry) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,…
Open source ↗אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) בָּעַר (bâʻar, H1197) — to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish יַעַר (yaʻar, H3293) — a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees) לֶהָבָה (lehâbâh, H3852) — {a flash; figuratively, a sharply polished blade or point of aweapon} לָהַט (lâhaṭ, H3857) — properly, to lick, i.e. (by implication) to blaze הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
To You, O LORD, I call; be not deaf to me, O my Rock. For if You remain silent, I will be like those descending to the Pit.
O LORD, You have seen it; be not silent. O Lord, be not far from me.
Our God approaches and will not be silent! Consuming fire precedes Him, and a tempest rages around Him.
“I have kept silent from ages past; I have remained quiet and restrained. But now I will groan like a woman in labor; I will at once gasp and pant.
Wake up, O Lord! Why are You sleeping? Arise! Do not reject us forever.