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.
4 "Come," they say, "let us destroy them as a nation, so that Israel's name is remembered no more."
4 They say, "Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!"
4 "Let's wipe this nation from the face of the earth," they say; "scratch Israel's name off the books."
4 They have said, "Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more."
4 "Come," they say, "let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence."
7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;
7 Byblos, Ammon and Amalek, Philistia, with the people of Tyre.
7 Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
7 Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia and the Tyrians,
7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
7 Gebalites, Ammonites, and Amalekites; and people from Philistia and Tyre.
(Read Psalm 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.
8 Even Assyria has joined them to reinforce Lot's descendants.
8 Asshur also has joined them; they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah
8 And now Assyria has joined up, Giving muscle to the gang of Lot.
8 Assyria also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot. Selah
8 Assyria has joined them, too, and is allied with the descendants of Lot. Interlude
(Read Psalm 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.
12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.
12 who said, "Let us take possession of the pasturelands of God."
12 who said, "Let us take possession for ourselves of the pastures of God."
12 With their empty brags, "We're grabbing it all, grabbing God's gardens for ourselves."
12 Who said, "Let us take for ourselves The pastures of God for a possession."
12 for they said, "Let us seize for our own use these pasturelands of God!"
(Read Psalm 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.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 83:4
Commentary on Psalm 83:1-8
(Read Psalm 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.