A Song, a Psalm of Asaph

“God, do not remain quiet;
Do not be silent and, God, do not be still.
For behold, Your enemies make an uproar,
And those who hate You have exalted themselves.”

“They make shrewd plans against Your people,
And conspire together against Your treasured ones.
They have said, ‘Come, and let’s wipe them out as a nation,
So that the name of Israel will no longer be remembered!’
For they have conspired together with one mind;
They make a covenant against You:”

A List of Ancient Enemies

“The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
Moab and the Hagrites;
Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek,
Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
Assyria also has joined them;
They have helped the children of Lot.” — Selah

A Call for God to Judge as in the Past

“Deal with them as with Midian,
As with Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,
Who were destroyed at En-dor,
Who became like dung for the ground.”

“Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,
And all their leaders like Zebah and Zalmunna,
Who said, ‘Let’s possess for ourselves
The pastures of God.’”

Let Them Know You Alone Are God

“My God, make them like the whirling dust,
Like chaff before the wind.
Like fire that burns the forest,
And like a flame that sets the mountains on fire,
So pursue them with Your heavy gale,
And terrify them with Your storm.”

“Fill their faces with dishonor,
So that they will seek Your name, Lord.
May they be ashamed and dismayed forever,
And may they be humiliated and perish,
So that they will know that You alone, whose name is the Lord,
Are the Most High over all the earth.”

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Context and Meaning

Psalm 83 is an impassioned prayer for God to rise up against the nations that have conspired against Israel. Asaph doesn’t just name the enemies—he calls out their plots, alliances, and hatred for God’s people, and pleads with God to act as He has in the past.

This is the final psalm attributed to Asaph and shows deep concern for God’s name, God’s people, and God’s reputation in the face of an overwhelming alliance of foes.

Key Themes:

1. Bold Intercession: The psalmist prays fervently, pleading with God not to stay silent (v. 1).
2. An Aggressive Conspiracy: The nations aim to erase Israel, revealing their hatred of both God and His people (v. 2–5).
3. Historical Precedent: The psalmist appeals to past acts of divine justice—Midian, Sisera, and others (v. 9–12).
4. Desire for God’s Glory: The ultimate hope is not revenge, but that all would know and fear the Lord (v. 13–18).

Reflection and Impact

Psalm 83 reminds us that we serve a God who sees injustice and hears the cry of His people:

• God Is Never Truly Silent: Even when He seems still, He is aware and active in His perfect timing (Isaiah 40:27–31).
• Enemies of God Are Ultimately Powerless: History shows that God always preserves His name and His people.
• We Can Pray Boldly Against Evil: Not with bitterness, but with a desire for God’s righteousness and reputation to be upheld.
• The Goal Is God’s Glory Among the Nations: Even the judgment of enemies is intended to reveal who God is (v. 18).

Application

• Pray for God to Act Against Injustice: Ask God to defend His people and confront evil with His justice.
• Anchor in God’s Sovereign History: Remember His past interventions to strengthen your faith in today’s battles.
• Seek God’s Glory First: Let your heart long for His name to be honored above all else.
• Trust in God’s Power to Deliver: Even when surrounded, God’s hand is stronger than the alliance of nations (Psalm 46:1–3).

Closing Thought

Psalm 83 ends with the longing that all would know:
“You alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.”
In every threat, we turn to the one who rules above every nation, plot, and power.