Psalms 83:3-13
v. 3: He continues, “They have taken crafty counsel against your people, and consulted against your hidden ones”. The enemies use clever strategies to attack God’s people, who are described as “hidden ones” because God protects them. Their plans are not just against Israel but also against God himself. v. 4: The enemies’ goal is complete destruction. “They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance”. They want to erase Israel from history, destroying not only the people but also their identity and faith. This reflects the deep hatred of the enemies of God’s people. v. 5: The psalmist explains the unity of the enemies: “For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against you”. Although these nations may have their own differences, they are united in their opposition to God and his people. This shows how determined they are to carry out their plans. v. 6-8: The psalmist lists the nations involved in the alliance: “The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur also is joined with them: they have helped the children of Lot”(Psalm 83:6-8 a). These nations include Israel’s neighbors and relatives, such as Edom and Moab, who should have been allies but instead became enemies. Their combined forces show how many are against God’s people, yet God’s power is greater than all of them.The psalm reminds us that God’s people have always faced opposition, but God is faithful to protect and preserve them. Even when enemies unite against the church, God’s power and promises remain unshaken (Jeremiah 12:9 b). This psalm encourages believers to trust in God’s deliverance and to call on him in times of trouble. – – Prophetic ImprecationsIn this part of the psalm, the writer prays for God to defeat the enemies of Israel who have united against them. This prayer is also a prophecy of the ultimate defeat of all who oppose God and his people. The psalmist looks back at God’s past victories over Israel’s enemies and asks him to act again. These prayers remind the church that God is always in control and will ultimately protect his people and show his power.v. 9-10: The psalmist prays, “Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kishon: which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth”(Psalm 83:9-10 c). He asks God to defeat these enemies as he did in the past. God used Gideon and a small army to defeat the Midianites (Judges 7:25 d), and he used Deborah and Barak to overcome Sisera’s army at the Kishon River (Judges 4:15 e). These past victories remind us of God’s power to deliver his people. – v. 11-12: He also prays, “Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yes, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna: who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession”(Psalm 83:11-12 f). The psalmist asks God to bring down the leaders of the enemies, just as he destroyed Oreb, Zeeb, Zebah, and Zalmunna, who were Midianite princes defeated by Gideon (Judges 8:21 g). These leaders are arrogant and greedy, wanting to take possession of God’s land and blessings for themselves. – v. 13-14: He continues, “O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind. As the fire burns a wood, and as the flame sets the mountains on fire”(Psalm 83:13-14 h). The psalmist uses vivid images to describe the destruction of the enemies. He asks that they be like a wheel, constantly turning and unstable, and like dry stubble blown away by the wind. He also compares their destruction to fire burning through wood and dry brush, consuming everything in its path.
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