Psalms 83

A complaint of the Church of God, against the consultations of the wicked against her: praying him, to punish them, according as he was wont to punish the persecuters of his people in former times.

1. A Song, a Psalm of Asaph: [Or, for ASaph: as above, Psalms 80:1.]

2. O God, be not silent, [Heb. There be no silence to thee: the Psalmist prayeth, that God would bestir himself again, for to help his people, and to avenge them upon their enemies. Thus the word of being silent is used likewise Jud.18.9. See the Annot. Psalm.109.on verse 1.] and keep not thy self as deaf, nor be still O God.

3. For behold thine enemies make a stir (Noise) [viz. Against us as v.4. the meaning is; our enemies, which are likewise thine Enemies, because we are thy people, bestir themselves to mischieve us. Who these Enemies were, see verse 7,8,9.] and thy haters [they that hate thee] lift up their heads. [grow proud and insolent, as it were triumphing over thee, and over thy people, Jud.8.28, you have the like expression.]

4. They do subtilly make a secret plot against thy people [i.e. against us, which are thy people] and consult together against thy hidden (ones.) [i.e. against those which betake themselves to thee for refuge, to be hid and secure under thy tuition and protection: Or whom thou esteemest as thy Jewels, keeping them in faithfull custody, and whose life is hid with Christ in God, Col.3.3.]

5. They said come and let us destroy them, that they be no more a people: [Thus Moab and other neighbouring Nations consult together against Israel, and the same thing happened afterward to Moab himself, Jerem.48.2, 42.] that the name of Israel be no more mentioned.

6. For they have consulted together in the heart: against thee they made a Covenant [i.e. they have combined themselves together, to make war upon Gods people, See Jer.34.18.19.]

7. The tents of Edom and of the Ismaelites [Warriors which live in tents, See the like expression Jud.7.13,14. And 2 Kings 7:7,10. Jer.6.3. Hab.3.7. Or understand here the several families and generations of Edom, Ismael, &c. Which dwelt in tents] Moab and the Hagarenes. [viz. The posterity of Hagar, Abrahams serving-maid, or bond-woman, whereby are understood those that descended from Ismael the son of Hagar.]

8. Gebal [i.e. the Gebalites, which dwelt in the City or Country of Gebal, lying in Phenicia, by Zidon, from Gebal or Gebla, were those Masons or stone-carvers whom Salomon imployed for the building of the temple, 1 Kings 5:18. See likewise of these Ezek.27.9.] and Ammon and Amaleck: Palestine [i.e. the Philistines, the land or country being taken for the people that dwelt therein] with the Inhabitants of Tyrus.

9. Assur likewise joined himself to them: they were an arm [i.e. a strong help and fence, see of this kind of speaking likewise Psa.37.17. Jerem.17.5.] to the children of Lot. [i.e. to the Moabites and Ammoites, before mentioned, descended from Lot. Gen.19.37,38. And it should seem that there is express mention made of Lot here, to shew the unworthiness of their enterprise, that being come from Abrahams Nephew, they should seek thus to root out their own kinsmen] Sela.

10. Do unto them as to Midian [i.e. destroy them, as thou didst the Midianites formerly, when they came to sight against our fore-fathers, Jud.7.13,22.] as to Sisera [see Jud.4.15. and 5.19,21, etc.] as to Jabin at the brook of Kison. [of Jabin a King of the Canaanites, see Jud.4.2.]

11. (Which) were destroyed at Endor [A city lying by Kison, Tanaah and the waters of Megiddo. See Josh.17.11. Jud.5.19.] they were made dung of the ground. [i.e. they lay rotting above ground, and had no burial; See Jer.8.2. and 16.4.]

12. Make [Heb. Put] them (and) their princes [see Job 12.on verse 21.] like Oreb and Zeeb [which were two Princes of the Madianites, whom Gideon smote, Jud.7.15. and 8.11,12.] and all their Princes as Zeba and as Salmunna. [two Kings of the Midianites, likewise overthrown by Gideon, Jud.8.21.]

13. Which said let us take that goodly dwellings of God for our selves in hereditary possession. [viz. The Land of Canaan where God dwelt in the midst of his people: See Exod.15.13.]

14. My God, make them as a whirl-pool; [Oth. Wheel, rolling thing, that is sickle and unsettled, so that they may not know what to do, or what course or refuge to take] as stubble before the wind.

15. As the fire burneth up the wood [See the like expression Deu.32.22.] and as the flame doth set the mountains a fire. [understand the trees and forests upon the mountains, or understand the brimstony-hills which take fire of themselves.]

16. Thus pursue them with thy tempest: [See the annot. Job.9. on v.17.] and terrify them with thy whirle-wind.

17. Make their face full of confusion, that they may seck thy name O LORD [i.e. make them knelling willing to confess that thou art mightier then they, and they must cry unto thee when they feel thy plagues upon them, see Exod.8.8. and Psa.18.42. Oth. That (men) seek thy Name, i.e. that the godly may have cause and encouragement thereby, to put the more confidence in my goodness and omnipotency, and evermore make thee their refuge.]

18. Let them be ashamed and terrified in eternity, and let them blush for shame, and perish.

19. That they may know [Or that men may know, or that it may be known as above verse 17.] that thou alone with thy Name art the LORD, the most high over all the Earth.