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Psalms 83

18 verses

TL;DR

The psalm is a passionate plea to God to intervene against Israel's enemies, invoking historical victories and demanding judgment.

Summary

Psalm 83 opens with a lament that God should not remain silent while foes gather. The psalmist lists the coalition of enemies—Edom, Ishmaelites, Moab, Hagarites, Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, Philistines, Tyre, Assur, and the children of Lot—who conspire to destroy Israel’s name. He recalls past defeats of Midianites, Sisera, and Jabin to remind God of His power. The psalm calls for divine judgment: enemies should be crushed like a wheel, turned to stubble, burned in fire, and frightened by storms. The psalm ends with a plea that the shame of the enemies will lead them to seek God, thereby proclaiming the supremacy of the Lord over all nations.

Outline
  1. 1. Plea for divine action against conspiratorial enemies 2. Enumeration of Israel’s foes and their historical defeats 3. Invocation of divine judgment and affirmation of God’s sovereignty
Themes
1. Divine justice and intervention 2. National identity and covenant protection 3. The power of remembrance through historical victory
Keywords
silencepeaceconspiracyenemiesjusticeshamejudgmentvictorycovenant
People
IsraelEdomIshmaelitesMoabHagarenesGebalAmmonAmalekPhilistinesTyreAssurchildren of LotMidianitesSiseraJabinOrebZeebZebahZalmunna
Places
EdomIshmaelite landsMoabHagarite territoryGebalAmmonAmalekPhilistine territoriesTyreAssurEndorBrook of Kison
Things
wheelstubblefirewoodtempeststormshamehouses of God
Key Verses
  • Psalms 83:1: Opening lament urging God to act
  • Psalms 83:6: Enumeration of the enemy coalition
  • Psalms 83:16: Call for enemies to experience shame and seek God
Questions
  • Why does the psalmist reference past defeats of Midianites, Sisera, and Jabin?
  • How does the psalm convey the relationship between Israel’s identity and divine protection?
  • In what ways does the imagery of a wheel, stubble, and fire function as metaphors for divine judgment?
  • What is the significance of the plea that enemies’ shame leads them to seek God?
  • How does this psalm fit within the broader context of the Psalms of lament?
Sentiment

negative
The psalm expresses frustration and calls for harsh judgment against enemies.