Psalms
King James Version (KJV)
Psalms 83 COMMENTARY (Matthew Henry)
◄ Psalm 83 ► |
| Matthew Henry's Commentary |
Psalm 83:1
<or Psalm of Asaph.>> Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.
83:1-8 Sometimes God seems not to be concerned at the unjust treatment of his people. But then we may call upon him, as the psalmist here. All wicked people are God's enemies, especially wicked persecutors. The Lord's people are his hidden one; the world knows them not. He takes them under his special protection. Do the enemies of the church act with one consent to destroy it, and shall not the friends of the church be united? Wicked men wish that there might be no religion among mankind. They would gladly see all its restraints shaken off, and all that preach, profess, or practise it, cut off. This they would bring to pass if it were in their power. The enemies of God's church have always been many: this magnifies the power of the Lord in preserving to himself a church in the world.
Psalm 83:2
For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.
Psalm 83:3
They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
Psalm 83:4
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.
Psalm 83:5
For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:
Psalm 83:6
The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
Psalm 83:7
Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;
Psalm 83:8
Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.
Psalm 83:9
Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:
83:9-18 All who oppose the kingdom of Christ may here read their doom. God is the same still that ever he was; the same to his people, and the same against his and their enemies. God would make their enemies like a wheel; unsettled in all their counsels and resolves. Not only let them be driven away as stubble, but burnt as stubble. And this will be the end of wicked men. Let them be made to fear thy name, and perhaps that will bring them to seek thy name. We should desire no confusion to our enemies and persecutors but what may forward their conversion. The stormy tempest of Divine vengeance will overtake them, unless they repent and seek the pardoning mercy of their offended Lord. God's triumphs over his enemies, clearly prove that he is, according to his name JEHOVAH, an almighty Being, who has all power and perfection in himself. May we fear his wrath, and yield ourselves to be his willing servants. And let us seek deliverance by the destruction of our fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.
Psalm 83:10
Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.
Psalm 83:11
Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:
Psalm 83:12
Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.
Psalm 83:13
O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.
Psalm 83:14
As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;
Psalm 83:15
So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.
Psalm 83:16
Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.
Psalm 83:17
Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:
Psalm 83:18
That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.