The prayer of the Hidden Ones against the crafty counsel of Messiah’s foes
 
The psalm depicts a confederacy or league of nations that conspired to overthrow Israel. Indeed, they were bent on such destruction that it would eradicate and eliminate the Jews as a nation. The enemies are listed, but also calls for their judgment are likened to the defeat of God’s enemies of the past.
 
Terrible imprecations are made, and the wrath of God demanded upon these adversaries. But they are not made out of a motive of personal revenge, but that men may know that they, through attacking God’s people, are really manifesting their hatred of Jehovah. As the risen, ascended Lord said to Saul of Tarsus, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”
 

Psalm 83

   1  Keep not, O God, we thee entreat,
         O keep not silence now:
      Do thou not hold thy peace, O God,
         and still no more be thou.

   2  For, lo, thine enemies a noise
         tumultuously have made;
      And they that haters are of thee
         have lifted up the head.

   3  Against thy chosen people they
         do crafty counsel take;
      And they against thy hidden ones
         do consultations make.

   4  Come, let us cut them off, said they,
         from being a nation,
      That of the name of Isr'el may
         no more be mention.

   5  For with joint heart they plot, in league
         against thee they combine.
   6  The tents of Edom, Ishm'elites,
         Moab's and Hagar's line;

   7  Gebal, and Ammon, Amalek,
        Philistines, those of Tyre;
   8  And Assur join'd with them, to help
         Lot's children they conspire.

   9  Do to them as to Midian,
         Jabin at Kison strand;
  10  And Sis'ra, which at En-dor fell,
         as dung to fat the land.

  11  Like Oreb and like Zeeb make
         their noble men to fall;
      Like Zeba and Zalmunna like,
         make thou their princes all;

  12  Who said, For our possession
         let us God's houses take.
  13  My God, them like a wheel, as chaff
         before the wind, them make.

  14  As fire consumes the wood, as flame
         doth mountains set on fire,
  15  Chase and affright them with the storm
         and tempest of thine ire.

  16  Their faces fill with shame, O Lord,
         that they may seek thy name.
  17  Let them confounded be, and vexed,
         and perish in their shame:

  18  That men may know that thou, to whom
         alone doth appertain
      The name Jehovah, dost most high
         o'er all the earth remain.


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