Berean Standard Bible · Public domain

Psalm 83

Israel’s prayers give language for praise, grief, repentance, and trust. Poetry uses imagery and parallel lines; each psalm should be read as a whole rather than as a detached promise.

Historical context & book outline

1A song. A Psalm of Asaph. O God, be not silent; be not speechless; be not still, O God.

2See how Your enemies rage, how Your foes have reared their heads.

3With cunning they scheme against Your people and conspire against those You cherish,

4saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.”

5For with one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against You—

6the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites,

7of Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, of Philistia with the people of Tyre.

8Even Assyria has joined them, lending strength to the sons of Lot. Selah

9Do to them as You did to Midian, as to Sisera and Jabin at the River Kishon,

10who perished at Endor and became like dung on the ground.

11Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, and all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,

12who said, “Let us possess for ourselves the pastures of God.”

13Make them like tumbleweed, O my God, like chaff before the wind.

14As fire consumes a forest, as a flame sets the mountains ablaze,

15so pursue them with Your tempest, and terrify them with Your storm.

16Cover their faces with shame, that they may seek Your name, O LORD.

17May they be ever ashamed and terrified; may they perish in disgrace.

18May they know that You alone, whose name is the LORD, are Most High over all the earth.

Read closely

  1. What repeated words, contrasts, or actions stand out in this chapter?
  2. How does this chapter fit the surrounding chapters and the book’s purpose?
  3. What did it communicate to its first hearers, before applying it to your life?