Psalms 83:1

PSALM LXXXIII

The psalmist calls upon God for immediate help against a

multitude of confederate enemies who had risen up against

Judah, 1-5.

He mentions them by name, 6-8;

shows how they were to be punished, 9-17;

and that this was to be done for the glory of God, 18.

NOTES ON PSALM LXXXIII

The title, A Song or Psalm of Asaph, contains nothing particular. Among a multitude of conjectures relative to the time and occasion of this Psalm, that which refers it to the confederacy against Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, mentioned 2 Chronicles 20:1, is the most likely. The following reasons make it probable:

1. The children of Ammon, that is, the Ammonites and Moabites, were the principal movers in the war.

2. The Idumeans came to their assistance, 2 Chronicles 20:22; with certain Ammonites or Meonians, referred to here in Psalms 83:8, and in 2 Chronicles 20:1.

3. There were also in this confederacy many strangers of Syria, and from beyond the sea, most likely the Dead Sea, which seems to indicate the Assyrians, Hagaranes, and Ishmaelites, designed expressly here, Psalms 83:7.

4. In that transaction there was a prophet of the race of Asaph, named Jahaziel, who foretold to Jehoshaphat their total overthrow, 2 Chronicles 20:14, c., and probably this Jahaziel is the same with Asaph, the author of this Psalm.

In the course of the notes we shall see other circumstances relative to the war of the Moabites and Ammonites against Jehoshaphat, which illustrates several particulars in this Psalm. See Calmet.

Verse Psalms 83:1. Keep not thou silence] A strong appeal to God just as the confederacy was discovered. Do not be inactive, do not be neuter. Thy honour and our existence are both at stake.