← Chapter 82 Chapter 84 →

Lutheran reading notes

In Psalms chapter 83, the wisdom literature continues to explore prayer, worship, lament, praise, and trust in God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.

Theme: Wisdom, prayer, and faithful living Key people: Wise figures Key place: Israel Liturgical use: Wisdom lections
1 [A Song {or} Psalm of Asaph.] Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. {of Asaph: or, for Asaph}
Psalms 83:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.
Psalms 83:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
Psalms 83:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from {being} a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
Psalms 83:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: {consent: Heb. heart}
Psalms 83:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;
Psalms 83:7 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah. {holpen: Heb. been an arm to}
Psalms 83:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9 Do unto them as {unto} the Midianites; as {to} Sisera, as {to} Jabin, at the brook of Kison:
Psalms 83:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10 {Which} perished at Endor: they became {as} dung for the earth.
Psalms 83:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:
Psalms 83:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.
Psalms 83:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.
Psalms 83:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14 As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;
Psalms 83:14 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15 So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.
Psalms 83:15 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.
Psalms 83:16 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17 Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:
Psalms 83:17 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18 That {men} may know that thou, whose name alone {is} JEHOVAH, {art} the most high over all the earth.
Psalms 83:18 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.