Psalm 83:1-8 | The Way of Scripture

Psalm 83:1-8

Why does the prayer treat a threat to Israel as a challenge to God?

Berean Standard Bible

1 O God, be not silent; be not speechless; be not still, O God. 2 See how Your enemies rage, how Your foes have reared their heads. 3 With cunning they scheme against Your people and conspire against those You cherish, 4 saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.” 5 For with one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against You— 6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, 7 of Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, of Philistia with the people of Tyre. 8 Even Assyria has joined them, lending strength to the sons of Lot. Selah

What is the context?

The people ask God not to remain silent while enemies conspire. The stated aim of the alliance is to erase Israel as a nation and remove its name from memory.

The list of peoples gives the threat a wide horizon. Their agreement against the people is described as agreement against God.

The lament names a danger of destruction, rather than an ordinary disagreement. It does not provide a schedule for assigning the named peoples to present-day states.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley reads the cherished people through God’s special care and identifies the sons of Lot with Moab and Ammon. The poem’s coalition list should not be turned into an independently documented single campaign without further evidence.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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