Psalms 83:1 - Meaning and Application

God’s people were in danger, fear, and deep trouble, yet their prayer is called a song, or psalm. Singing psalms is fitting even when sorrow is heavy, even when the harps hang on the willow trees. The psalmist asks God to step in for his injured and threatened people: “Do not keep silent, O God. Give judgment for us against those who do us plain wrong” (Psalm 83:1).

At times God seems to stay quiet when his people are mistreated. He seems as if he has not noticed, or as if he will not take sides. He seems still, as if he is not disturbing the enemy at all. Then we may pray as Jehoshaphat did in another invasion, asking God to speak for his people and against their enemies (2 Chronicles 20:11, 14).

God’s speaking is his acting, because for him saying and doing are the same. So the psalmist describes the great alliance of nearby nations against Israel, and asks God to break their plan. He wants God to show that these enemies are really fighting against him.

They are against Israel, God’s people, and so in effect they are against the God of Israel. The psalmist wants God brought into the matter, because if it is clear that the people are for God, then God will be for them. He can then stand against every enemy. The wicked are God’s enemies, but those who persecute his people are especially so, because they hate his holy worship.

He says they are plotting against God’s hidden ones. God’s people are called hidden ones in two ways. First, the world does not truly know them. Their life is hidden with Christ in God, so the world does not understand them. Second, God keeps them safe under his special care. He hides them in the hollow of his hand. Yet their enemies still plan to destroy them, even though God has set them apart for himself (Psalm 4:3; Psalm 62:4).

The psalmist also shows how this alliance is carried out. First, it is done with loud anger and violence: God’s enemies make a noisy uproar (Psalm 83:2). Like the nations in Psalm 2:1, they rage. They speak loudly against God’s people, hoping to crush them with slander. This is another reason to pray that God will not keep silent, but will answer them in his wrath (Psalm 2:5).

Second, they act with pride. They have lifted up their heads, as if they could rise above the Most High and overpower the Almighty. Third, they act with cunning. They have taken crafty counsel, showing the subtle mind of the old serpent, the devil. They use any means they can, no matter how base, to reach their goal. They are skillful in making slaughter, as Hosea says (Hosea 5:2).

Fourth, they act with unity. Even if they have many disputes among themselves, they agree when it comes to attacking God’s people. They consult with one mind, and Satan’s kingdom is not divided against itself. Their unity in evil should shame God’s people into greater unity in good. If enemies can agree to destroy the church, then the friends of the church should surely agree to serve it.

What these enemies want is not just to weaken Israel. They want Israel wiped out. They say, “Come, let us cut them off from being a nation,” so that the name of Israel will be remembered no more (Psalm 83:4). They would destroy their records and their books as well. This is the hatred of the serpent’s seed against the seed of the woman. Many wicked people secretly wish the church did not exist at all, and that religion would disappear from the earth. If they could, they would abolish its laws, cast off its restraints, and silence all who preach, profess, or practice it. But the one who sits in heaven will laugh at them.

The nations in this alliance are named next (Psalm 83:6-8). The Edomites and Ishmaelites, both descendants of Abraham, lead the way. Those who once stood near the church often become its bitterest enemies. Julian is an example of that sad truth.

These nations were tied to Israel by family lines, yet they joined together against Israel. No bond of nature is strong enough to stop the spirit of persecution. A brother can even hand over his brother to death.

Moab and Ammon were the sons of Lot, who was a righteous man. Yet they became a corrupt and fallen people. The Philistines had long been a painful enemy to Israel. They were always a source of trouble. It is hard to explain how the people of Tyre, who were close allies of Israel in David’s day, are counted among Israel’s enemies here. But it is not surprising that Assur, that is, Assyria, joined them. The meaning also seems to be that they were a support, or an arm, to the children of Lot.

See how many enemies God’s church has always had. “Lord, how those who trouble it have increased” (Jeremiah 12:9). God’s people were like a speckled bird, surrounded by birds of prey ready to strike (Jeremiah 12:9). This greatly shows God’s power in preserving his church in the world, despite the combined force of earth and hell.