“"O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!"”
Psalms 83:1
Summary
Psalm 83 is a communal lament in which the psalmist, Asaph, beseeches God to intervene against a coalition of enemies that threaten Israel. The nations, described as God's enemies, are plotting against His people, seeking to destroy them entirely. The psalmist lists the enemies, emphasizing the multitude and unity of the threat. Asaph calls on God to act as He did in former days against ancient foes, invoking past victories to inspire confidence. The plea is for God to respond fiercely, to confound and disgrace the nations, ultimately seeking their conversion rather than mere destruction. The psalm concludes with the desire that the opponents recognize the Lord's sovereignty and seek His name.