The ominous background of this psalm of national lament lies in the threatening confederacy of almost all of Israel’s hostile neighbors.
The psalmist begs God to rescue Israel from its enemies as He had done so many times in the past.
I. A Plea for Help (83:1).
II. A Protest Against Israel’s Enemies (83:2-8).
III. A Petition for Divine Judgment (83:9-18).
Psalm 83:1 Keep not Thou silence, O God: hold not Thy peace, and be not still, O God.
Psalm 83:6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
“Edom … Hagarenes”:
The list of nations represents Israel’s enemies throughout its history.
Edom descended from Esau and lived southeast of Israel.
The Ishmaelites, descendants from Abraham and Hagar, were Bedouin tribes.
The Moabites descended from Lot and were tribal people living east of the Jordan.
The Hagarenes were a nomadic tribe living east of the Jordan.
Psalm 83:8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.
This dominant nation of the eighth century B.C. took captive the
Assyria used smaller nations, like Moab and Ammon to accomplish its military goals.
Assur was just one more evil group to come against Israel.
Psalm 83:13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind."
BooksOfTheBible
