Psalms 83

Psalms 83:1-18

“ The Most High over All the Earth” Psalms 83:1-18 This psalm was composed on the occasion described in 2 Chronicles 20:1-37, where we learn that at a great crisis the Spirit of God came on Jahaziel, one of the sons of Asaph, Psalms 83:14. It was written to be sung before the battle, in anticipation of certain victory. The Levites chanted it, with a loud voice on high, as Jehoshaphat’ s army marched out against the great confederacy of nations, which threatened the very existence of Israel. There were strong reasons for God’ s interposition, for Israel’ s foes were God’ s foes also. It was His people that were the target of this crafty conspiracy. Were they not His hidden ones, Psalms 83:3? Should a hostile world pluck them from the hollow of His hand? When our life is “ hid with Christ in God,” we may confidently appeal for His safe-keeping. The fate here imprecated savors of Moses rather than of Jesus Christ, Psalms 83:9-18. Our Lord’ s way is to seek the conversion of the heathen. At the same time it may at least be urged that Israel did not pray thus to gratify a personal vindictiveness, but that the great world of men might know God to be Jehovah. Out of the mighty convulsions that sweep across society, we know that the coming of the divine Kingdom is somehow being prepared. God can make even the wrath of man to praise Him, Psalms 76:10.

Be not still, O God! This Psalm was composed on the occasion described in 2 Chronicles 22:1-12. In that chapter we are told distinctly that the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel, of the sons of Asaph (Psalms 83:14). Perhaps he was the author of this Psalm. This was a song of praise sung before the battle in anticipation of victory.

A short prayer for help (Psalms 83:1), is followed by a description of the agony of the people which drove them to take refuge in their Divine Deliverer; the doings (Psalms 83:2-4) and the numbers (Psalms 83:5-8) of their foes. And then, reminding God of what He had done in the days that were past, the singer entreats Him to do the same again, establishing his glory in a incontestable manner (Psalms 83:9-18).

Psalms 83:2. Thine enemies It is a great source of courage, when we can feel that those who attack us are also in conflict against God; and that God takes our side against our foes and sins.

Psalms 83:3. Hidden ones (1 Kings 19:18; Psalms 31:20; Matthew 23:37; Colossians 3:3) If only we keep under the covert of God’s wings, how safe we are!

Psalms 83:4. Let us cut them off! It is a daring attempt indeed, when men deliberately set themselves to annul God’s eternal purpose. “The stars in their courses” (Judges 5:20) fight against all such. There was great wisdom in Gamaliel’s counsel (Acts 5:39).

Psalms 83:5-8. Confederate against Thee A great confederacy with one fell purpose. Men who are naturally enemies to each other are allies when they can injure God’s people.

Psalms 83:9-12. Sisera, Oreb, Zalmunna Three deliverances of the past are quoted as specimens of the help which the land required (Jude 1:4-5; Jude 1:7-8).

Psalms 83:13. Like a wheel! “The wheel” is rather “the whirl.” And the whole is equivalent to “as the stubble,” which is whirled round and carried away.

Psalms 83:14. As fire on the mountains The bracken or furze on the mountains is a ready fuel for the lightning spark which sets it ablaze.

Psalms 83:16-18. Let them be put to shame! The disasters which are imprecated on the allied forces am intended to lead them to recognize the supremacy of God. But there is no need to attempt to show the consistency of these petitions with the spirit of Christ. They are evidently inspired by the spirit of that older dispensation, which our Lord so distinctly set aside, as the husk from which the grain has passed into new and more perfect development (Matthew 5:38-39).