Background to Psalms 83

There are many place names in this psalm. If you google psalm 83 you get many strange interpretations of its prophetic nature. Very few people sing this psalm, possibly because it is difficult to sing. So let's begin with the linguistic features: There is a very obvious chiasmus.

A dismayed prayer (v1-4)

('Let us destroy', they say)

because of present enemies (v5-8)

because of past enemies (v9-12)

('Let us take possession', they said)

A defiant prayer (v13-16)

The selah after verse 8 could be intended as a midpoint marker. We notice that a string of proper nouns in the verses immediately before it is balanced by another in the verses following it. They are practically all names of Israel's enemies, known from other parts of the Old Testament. Let's pause for a musical interlude.

This psalm is written long after King David, in verse 8, Assyria is looming on the horizon. The psalmist equates opposition, not as individuals but as nations and as opposition to God. The psalmist is looking at a montage of enemies that have risen over a period of time. Historical figures from Amalek (Exo 17:8) to Assyria (2 Kings 15:19)are mentioned.  "Closely related peoples with long-cherished grudges" (Edom, Ismmelites, Moab) are the second group and surrounding countries Gebal (north), Ammon (east), Amalek (south), Philistia (west) and Tyre (north) that have at different points in history caused problems. The contrast between Selah and these lists are as strong as the contrast between the video above and this one from Dee 1 below.

The names from verse 9-12 are well-known during that period of Israel's history and all of them except for the place names (Kishon and Endor) are Israel's antagonist. The Canaanite king and his generals from Judges chapters 4-5 and the Midianite kings and their generals from Judges 6-8.

Adapted from Michael Wilcock pg 43-46.

The psalmists asks:

"May they ever be ashamed and dismayed;

    may they perish in disgrace.
Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord—
    that you alone are the Most High over all the earth."

Pray for your enemies or those who actively oppose the church today. Unlike the psalmist of old, like Dee 1, use "forgive those who trespass against us" found in Matthew 6:9-13.