Bible Commentaries
Psalms 83

Verse 1

Title. A Song. Hebrew. shir . App-65 . Psalm. Hebrew. mizmor. App-65 .

of Asaph. The last of the twelve Asaph Psalms. Probably Jahaziel ' s: compare 2 Chronicles 20:14 , 2 Chronicles 20:19-21 , the Psalm being written on that occasion (about 804 B. C), and 2 Chronicles 20:22-36 being the answer to this prayer. Compare Psalms 83:12 with 2 Chronicles 20:11 ; and verses: Psalms 83:17 , Psalms 83:18 with 2 Chronicles 20:29 .

Keep not. Hold not. Figure of speech Tapeinosis.

God. Hebrew. Elohim.

GOD. Hebrew El. App-4 .

Verse 2

make a tumult = roar like the waves of the sea, as in Psalms 46:3 .

lifted up the head. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for acting presumptuously. Compare Psalms 3:3 ; Psalms 27:6 . Judges 8:28 .

Verse 4

from being a nation = that they be no more a nation. Compare Jeremiah 48:2 .Isaiah 7:8 .

Verse 5

are confederate = have solemnized a covenant. against Thee. Not only against Thy People (Psalms 83:3 ).

Verse 6

tabernacles = tents. Hebrew. 'ohel . See App-40 .

Edom. Note the tenfold confederation of enemies in verses: Psalms 83:6-9 , followed by the sevenfold destruction in verses: Psalms 83:10-12 ; the two making the number 17, the sum of the two numbers (10 ordinal perfection or completeness, and 7 spiritual perfection): 17 being the seventh prime number. Thus the three numbers correspond with the conspiracy of man, and judgment of God. See App-10 .

Verse 8

children = sons.

Selah. Connecting these two things together, the former being that which calls forth the prayer: and connecting the past confederacy with the future one of the "ten kingdoms" and the same Divine destruction.

Verse 9

Midianites. Compare Judges 7:22 .

Sisera. Compare Judges 4:15 .

Jabin. Compare Judges 4:23 .

Verse 10

earth = ground, or soil. Hebrew. 'adamah. See note on Isaiah 25:10 .

Verse 11

Oreb Compare Judges 7:25 .

Zeeb. Compare Judges 7:25 .

Zebah. Compare Judges 8:5 , Judges 8:21 .

Zalmunna. Compare Judges 8:5 , Judges 8:21 .

Verse 12

houses = pleasant pastures. Hebrew. ne'oth (plural) Same word as in Psalms 23:2 ; Psalms 65:12 .

possession = inheritance. Compare 2 Chronicles 20:11 .

Verse 13

wheel. Hebrew. galgal, a rolling thing. Probably the wild artichoke, which throws out branches of equal length, and, when ripe and dry, breaks off at the root, and is carried by the wind, rolling like a wheel over the plains. Compare Isaiah 17:13 ; where it is again used with "chaff", and rendered "a rolling thing" (margin thistledown).

stubble = straw. Hebrew. kash = the dry haulm of grain, which is carried about by the wind like the galgal.

wind. Hebrew. ruach . App-9 .

Verse 15

persecute = pursue.

Verse 16

their: i.e. the enemies.

they: i.e. Israel, or Thy People.

LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 17

them: i.e. the enemies.

Verse 18

men: Israel.

JEHOVAH. One of three places where, in Authorized Version, this name is transliterated and printed in large capital letters (small in Revised Version) See App-48 . Compare Exodus 6:3 and Isaiah 26:4 .

MOST HIGH. Hebrew. Elyon. App-4 .