Keraia
Psalm 83

Psalm 83:12

O God, Be Not Silent · Psalm 83:1–18
Read Psalm 83

Translations

Modern
…who said, “Let us possess for ourselves the pastures of God.”
Traditional
Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.
Literal
…who said, “Let us possess for ourselves the pastures of God.”
Latin
…qui dixerunt: Hæreditate possideamus sanctuarium Dei.

Original

Hebrew
English
…who said, “Let us possess for ourselves the pastures of God.”

Notes

Psalms 83:12

The coalition wanted to destroy Israel to take over the land (see Jeremiah 3:19).

Psalms 83:9–18

The psalmist prays that God will miraculously destroy the new coalition as he did three other enemies; doing so would bring him glory.

Psalms 83:1–18

This community lament asks God to rescue his people and give them victory. The short and direct poetry suggests a time of great trouble. A strong group of nations plans to destroy Israel (Psalm 83:1–4) and joins together against God (83:5–8).

The psalmist remembers what happened to other enemies who attacked Israel in the past (Psalm 83:9–12). He prays that the same thing will happen to these enemies (83:13–16), so that they will recognize God’s power and give him honor (83:17–18).

It is not clear whether this psalm refers to one specific historical event or whether it gathers together several nations as a poetic picture of Israel’s enemies.

Glossary

Asaph Music Psalms, Book of

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Armies: March in Ranks: Confederated