1
God, don't keep silent.Don't keep silent,and don't be still, God. +
2
For, behold, your enemies are stirred up.Those who hate you have lifted up their heads. +
3
They conspire with cunning against your people.They plot against your cherished ones. +
4
"Come," they say, "let's destroy them as a nation,that the name of
Israel may be remembered no more."
+5
For they have conspired together with one mind.They form an
alliance against you.
+6
The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites;Moab, and the Hagrites; +
7
Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek;Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8
Assyria also is joined with them.They have helped the children of Lot.Selah.
9
Do to them as you did to Midian,as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the
river Kishon;
+10
who perished at Endor,who became as dung for the earth.
11
Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb;yes, all their princes like
Zebah and Zalmunna;
12
who said, "Let us take possession of God's pasture lands." +
13
My God, make them like tumbleweed;like
chaff before the wind.
+14
As the fire that burns the forest,as the flame that sets the mountains on fire, +
15
so pursue them with your tempest,and terrify them with your storm.
16
Fill their faces with confusion,that they may seek your name, The LORD. +
17
Let them be disappointed and dismayed forever.Yes, let them be confounded and perish;
18
that they may know that you alone, whose name is The LORD,are the Most High over all the earth.
Ps 83:1-18. Of Asaph--(See on Ps 74:1, title). The historical occasion is probably that of 2Ch 20:1, 2 (compare Ps 47:1-9; 48:1-14). After a general petition, the craft and rage of the combined enemies are described, God's former dealings recited, and a like summary and speedy destruction on them is invoked.
1. God addressed as indifferent (compare Ps 35:22; 39:12).
be not still--literally, "not quiet," as opposed to action.