Psalm 83
God is called to mark the confederacy of the ungodly, and
to avenge His cause as in times of old. God thus appearing shall be
acknowledged as Jehovah.
1. "Keep not silence, O God; hold not Your peace, and
do not be still, O God."
It is the happy privilege of faith to deal intimately at
the mercy-seat. As a child it may boldly cling to a loving Father. With
importunity it may crave attention. It may give God no rest until His power
is displayed. Thus God is here implored to raise His voice against the
enemies of His kingdom.
2. "For, lo, Your enemies make a tumult; and those who
hate You have lifted up the head."
Shall God be silent, while those who hate Him are loud in
insults? Shall He sit indifferent, while the earth rings with the tumult of
rebellion? Speak, Lord, Your voice causes earth to be mute.
3-5. "They have taken crafty counsel against Your
people, and consulted against Your hidden ones. 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. For they have consulted together with one consent; they
are confederate against You."
Not only do they loudly rave; they plot in secrecy, and
craftily devise rebellious plans. Hate is the moving principle within. It is
misery to them that God's people live, are honored and exhibit power. In
dark conclave they consult to extinguish their name, and to bury them in
oblivion. But God watches His hidden ones. They may not be conspicuous upon
earth. No pomp may signalize their course. No grandeur may court homage. But
God has known them before the world's birth, and will in due time proclaim
them as kings and princes to Himself. Let none of His children complain
that their way is hidden from their God. He has engraved them on the palms
of His hands. They shall shine brightly in the day when He makes up His
jewels.
6-8. "The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites, of
Moab and the Hagarenes; Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines, with
the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur also is joined with them; they have held the
children of Lot."
If God knows His meek and humble followers, and calls
them all by their names, so, also, He well knows the multitude of
confederate hosts. The catalogue of Israel's adversaries classified by name,
proves that the haters of God are individually perceived. The powers allied
against Israel were all overthrown. Separately they perished. So all God's
enemies shall be arraigned in distinct personality, and each shall receive
his due reward. They will each hear, 'O you wicked one, thus and thus have
you done; thus and thus must you be requited.' Crowds shall not hide
individuality.
9-12. "Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to
Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison; which perished at Endor; they
became as refuse for the earth. Make their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb;
yes, all their princes as Zebah and as Zalmunna; who said, Let us take to
ourselves the houses of God in possession."
It is true piety to remind God of His former deeds of
wrath, and to implore Him again to do as He has done.
13-17. "O my God, make them like a tumbleweed; as the
stubble before the wind. As the fire burns a forest, and as the flame sets
the mountains on fire; so persecute them with Your tempest, and make them
afraid with Your storm. Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek Your
name, O Lord. Let them be confounded and troubled forever; yes, let them be
put to shame, and perish."
Graphic images show the weakness of rebellious men. Their
stability is as a tumbleweed. Their firmness drifts as stubble before
the wind. They yield as the trees of the forest to the power of devouring
flame. God is besought to overthrow them with shame, that they may humbly
seek His knowledge.
18. "That men may know that You, whose name alone is
Jehovah, are the Most High over all the earth."
The ultimate desire is that He who alone bears the
incommunicable name of Jehovah, the self-existent, and the cause of all
life, may be exalted above all the earth, and that every tongue may praise,
and honor, and adore Him. In accordance may the longings of our hearts be to
magnify His name.