Psalm 83
Psalm 83 goes beyond being just a prayer or plea to God for vengeance against Israel’s enemies. It unveils a plot where a ten-nation coalition seeks to obliterate the chosen people and take over their Promised Land.
Interestingly, this psalm wasn’t composed during a time of war or conflict. It was written approximately 3,000 years ago by Asaph, King David’s worship leader, during a period of peace, prosperity, and freedom.
“O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear; do not stand aloof, O God. See how your enemies growl, how your foes rear their heads.” (Psalm 83:1-2)
But Asaph was more than just a worshipper. According to 2 Chronicles 29:30, he was a “chozeh,” which means seer or prophet. In this prophetic role, Asaph looked beyond his peaceful era to foresee a future time when this confederacy would seek the total destruction of Israel. Many believe that time is drawing closer.
“Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation, so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.” (Psalm 83:4)
Throughout history, the Jewish people have faced numerous plots and conspiracies aimed at their destruction, from the Philistines to the Nazis.
“See how your enemies growl, how your foes rear their heads. With cunning, they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish.” (Psalm 83:2-3)
“With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you.” (Psalm 83:5)
It is important to understand the context in which this psalm was written. One example is Psalm 83:9. Asaph (Psalm 83:1) begins a passionate plea for the Lord to punish an aggressive coalition of nations (Psalm 83:6-7). These opponents are conspiring to annihilate the people of Israel (Psalm 83:2–5). Here, the psalm transitions into direct requests, calling on God for specific consequences. These harsh requests establish Psalm 83 as one of the “imprecatory psalms;” to “imprecate” means “to wish evil or to curse.” At first, Asaph uses historical examples.
When Israel first came into the Promised Land, the Midianites became one of their most insidious enemies. Working with the Moabites (Numbers 22:2–4) and with the advice of a greedy seer (Numbers 31:16), they led Israel into terrible immorality and evil. In response, God commanded their extermination (Numbers 31:7). Israel failed to follow through on this, and during the era of the judges (Judges 2:16–19), Midian oppressed Israel (Judges 6:1). Gideon arose to thoroughly defeat Midian despite their overwhelming numbers (Judges 7:12, 24–25).
Earlier in that same era, a Canaanite king named Jabin oppressed Israel along with his general, Sisera (Judges 4:1–3). Deborah and Barak were called to fight back near the Kishon river (Judges 4:12–14). They eventually defeated and killed Jabin (Judges 4:23–24). After his army was erased (Judges 4:15–16), Sisera attempted to escape, only to be tricked and killed by a clever woman (Judges 4:17, 21).
In the following verse, Asaph will describe the fate of these historical enemies in gruesome terms (Psalm 83:10). Given that context, Asaph’s request is brutal. He is asking God to bring terror and destruction on these adversaries.
The alliance mentioned in Psalm 83 doesn’t merely seek to destroy the nation of Israel but also to erase the very memory of Israel. In doing so, they aim to break the Abrahamic Covenant.
This covenant is God’s eternal promise to Abraham and his descendants, including Isaac and Jacob, that they will become a chosen people, and the land will belong to them (Genesis 15:18; Joshua 1:4).
“The Lord appeared to Isaac and said, ‘For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed.’” (Genesis 26:2-4)
If this confederation were to succeed in wiping out Israel, it would make the God of Israel appear weak or even deceitful in the eyes of the world. This would also invalidate other key promises made by God, such as the Davidic Covenant, which promises an eternal throne (2 Samuel 7:12–13; Isaiah 9:6–7; Luke 1:31–33), and the New Covenant, which guarantees an eternal relationship with His people (Jeremiah 31:33; John 14:16–17).
“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us, and the government will rest on His shoulders, and His name will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace on the throne of David and over His kingdom.” (Isaiah 9:6–7)
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:33)
However, the Word of God is steadfast and true. No force can derail His divine plans. The covenant made with Abraham is everlasting and unconditional. Despite Israel’s disobedience, which God foresaw, He promised to bring His people back to their land after a period of exile.
“It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone… For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.” (Ezekiel 36:22, 24)
Just looking at the news today in 2024, we see that Israel seemingly eliminated the head of Hezbollah, which now leaves nobody left of their governing body, as he was the last one. This does not mean, however, that this is the end of it, far from it. Iran will keep pushing what’s left of its proxies to carry on attacking Israel, but it is futile. Yes, they may score a few small victories here and there, but in the coming weeks or months it will overwhelm them, and that’s when the pressure on Israel will increase because the ‘bigger’ countries will join in, but at the end of the day, Israel has almighty God on its side, which means that there will only ever be one outcome.
We have already seen how God has begun fulfilling these prophecies, despite the ongoing efforts of those who seek to erase the existence of Israel. God bless Israel !