Psalm 83 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.
2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.
3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
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.
5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:
6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
More Psalms Chapter 83 (Old Testament, King James Bible)
7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.
9 Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:
10 Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.
11 Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:
12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.
More Psalms Chapter 83 (Old Testament)
13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.
14 As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;
15 So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.
16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O Lord.
17 Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:
18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the earth.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 83:18
Verse: לְמַעַן שִׁמְךָ יְהוָה
Transliteration: L’ma’an shimkha Adonai
English: “That they may know that You alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.”
Focus Word: שֵׁם (Shem)
- Root: ש-מ (Shin-Mem)
- Meaning: “Name,” “reputation,” “authority.”
- Deeper Insight: Shem represents identity, power, and honor, showing God’s sovereignty and the reverence due His name.
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 83 |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Scott (University of Edinburgh, 1747–1821) | Commentary on the Holy Bible | This Psalm is a plea for God to thwart adversaries and preserve His people. |
| John Owen (University of Oxford, 1616–1683) | A Commentary on the Psalms | Demonstrates reliance on God’s wisdom and strength in confronting collective threats. |
| George Buchanan (St Andrews / Paris, 1506–1582) | Commentaries on the Psalms | Reflects on human conspiracy versus divine sovereignty. |
| Philip Doddridge (Northampton Academy, 1702–1751) | Family Expositor | Encourages active prayer and dependence on God for communal protection. |
| John Brown (Edinburgh, 1722–1787) | Self-Interpreting Bible | Emphasizes spiritual vigilance and the importance of seeking God’s guidance in crises. |
| Scholar & Work | View |
|---|---|
| John Calvin – Commentary on the Psalms | Calvin sees the psalm as a plea for God to act against a confederacy of enemies. Silence from God is unbearable. Deliverance is sought for the sake of His name. |
| Matthew Henry – Exposition on the Psalms | Henry interprets the psalm as a cry under the threat of total annihilation. The prayer calls for God to scatter the enemies. Divine judgment vindicates His people. |
| Albert Barnes – Notes on the Psalms | Barnes views the psalm as describing a desperate national situation. The coalition of enemies is vast. God’s intervention is urgently requested. |
| John Morison – Practical Exposition of the Psalms | Morison sees the psalm as an appeal for divine justice against hostile nations. Past judgments encourage present faith. God’s victory will reveal His supremacy. |
| William Walford – Commentary on the Psalms | Walford interprets the psalm as the nation’s cry for help in overwhelming danger. The enemies seek Israel’s destruction. God is asked to act decisively. |
| Andrew A. Bonar – Christ and His Church in the Psalms | Bonar views the psalm as the Church praying against spiritual confederacies. The prayer seeks both judgment and mercy. God’s glory is the ultimate aim. |
| Joseph Parker – People’s Bible Notes | Parker reads the psalm as the heart’s cry under national fear. God must not remain silent. Deliverance reveals His lordship. |
| Thomas Dale – Exposition of the Psalms | Dale interprets the psalm as both lament and imprecation. The psalmist pleads for God to manifest His power. Divine vengeance confirms God’s rule. |
| Horatius Bonar – Psalm Meditations | Bonar sees the psalm as reflecting the Church surrounded by enemies. Judgment reveals God’s righteousness. His name is exalted among the nations. |
| Christopher Wordsworth – Commentary on the Psalms | Wordsworth interprets the psalm as a national intercession for deliverance. God’s past acts are invoked as precedent. His supremacy is the psalm’s final goal. |
Psalm Chapter 83 Devotional: WARFARE PRAYER
Thought for the day: Taking the battle to the gate of your enemies in prayer is the best strategy to dismantle the devil.
Message:
Life is a battleground, but the good news is that we are fighting from a position of victory. The devil deceived Adam and, by default, drove him out of Eden. The adversary has pledged to pursue the children of the covenant who keep God's promises. let us examine this scripture
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17
The victory Christ obtained for us can only be enforced by men who pray. As we saw in today's biblical reading, many adversaries raised their heads against God's anointed nation with the intent of seizing their possessions, but Israel arose in prayer, pleading with God for rapid intervention.
Many wonderful destinies have been ruined, damaged, or murdered because they failed to notice that the devil is at work. Many glorious children are now involved in prostitution and drug addiction; they have been injured in order to avoid fulfilling their purpose. Many marriages have broken up, and we find nothing wrong with it. However, the day we realize that the devil has come to ruin what God has done, we will wage an offensive and defensive war against the forces of darkness.
I join my faith with you, and I chase out that devil that has occupied your life, your business, your career and your home now in Jesus' name. Whatever is yours shall be given unto you.
My Counsel
Ø The world is a battlefront, be ready to fight.
Ø Guide whatever God has given you and do not allow anyone to fall into the devil's camp.
Ø Be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit for direction when fighting.
Ø You cannot fight with the strength of man and win, you need the Holy Spirit.
Declaration:
Father, whatever you gave to me is mine and no devil can take what is mine; no devil can possess my home, no devil can withdraw my peace; no devil can take away my joy. I stop every activity of the devil in my life and home today in Jesus' Name.
