Psalm 83:9

Translations

Modern

Do to them as You did to Midian, as to Sisera and Jabin at the River Kishon,

Traditional

Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:

Literal

…may You do to them as to Midian, as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the River Kishon.

Latin

Fac illis sicut Madian et Sisaræ, sicut Jabin in torrente Cisson.

Original

Hebrew

English

Do to them as You did to Midian, as to Sisera and Jabin at the River Kishon,

Notes

Psalms 83:9–11

The Midianites, led by Oreb and Zeeb and ruled by Zebah and Zalmunna, were Israel's enemies during Gideon's time (Judges 7:1–8:5). Barak's alliance defeated Sisera and Jabin (Judges 4).

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.

Related verses

Isaiah 9:4
For as in the day of Midian You have shattered the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor.
Judges 5:21
The River Kishon swept them away, the ancient river, the River Kishon. March on, O my soul, in strength!
Numbers 31:7–8
Then they waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male.
Judges 4:15–24
And in front of him the LORD routed with the sword Sisera, all his charioteers, and all his army. Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot.
Judges 7:1–25
Early in the morning Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the men with him camped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh.
Judges 4:7
And I will draw out Sisera the commander of Jabin’s army, his chariots, and his troops to the River Kishon, and I will deliver him into your hand.’”
Isaiah 10:26
And the LORD of Hosts will brandish a whip against them, as when He struck Midian at the rock of Oreb. He will raise His staff over the sea, as He did in Egypt.

People

Jabin: Canaanite king who oppressed Israel; defeated by Deborah and Barak Sisera: Canaanite commander defeated by Deborah and Barak

Places

Kishon: A river in northern Israel Midian: A nation descended from Abraham; oppressed Israel in the time of the judges

Glossary

Asaph Endor Jabin Kishon Kison Music Psalms, Book of Sisera Valley of Jezreel

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Armies: March in Ranks: Confederated Brooks: Kishon Jabin: Names of Two Kings of Hazor Kishon: Sisera Defeated At, and his Army Destroyed In Midianites: Completeness of Their Destruction, Alluded To Sisera: Captain of a Canaanite Army, Defeated by Barak; Killed by Jael

Psalm 83:9

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