Psalm 83:1-4, Psalm 83:9 NIV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 83:2

Verse 2 2For, behold! thy enemies are tumultuous. As an argument for enforcing the prayer of the preceding verse, it is affirmed that the faithful are oppressed both by the impetuous violence and the crafty policy of their enemies, which, to all human appearance, rendered their escape from death utterly hopeless. When it is said that they are tumultuous and lift up the head, the meaning is, that relying upon their own power, they behave themselves insolently and proudly. By this conduct on the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 83:4

Verse 4 4They have said, Come and let us cut them off from being a nation. The wickedness of these hostile powers is aggravated from the circumstance, that it was their determined purpose utterly to exterminate the Church. This may be restricted to the Ammonites and Moabites, who were as bellows to blow up the flame in the rest. But the Hagarenes, the Syrians, and the other nations, being by their instigation affected with no less hatred and fury against the people of God, for whose destruction... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 83:1

Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. A crisis has come which calls for the Divine interference. If his people are to be saved, God must no longer sit still. Compare the frequent calls on God to "arise" ( Psalms 3:7 ; Psalms 7:6 ; Psalms 44:26 ; Psalms 68:1 , etc.). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 83:1

The mission of the Divine silence. The occasion of the psalm is clearly some time of national peril from a confederacy of foes. The special distress is that, while the national enemies are vigorously active, God, the Defender of Israel, seems to be quiet, and even indifferent. The psalm is full of hope because, even while the fear of indifference on the part of God distresses the writer, he turns to God with importunate entreaties. The occasion may well have been the combination of Moab... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 83:1-18

Metrically, the psalm divides into four strophes, three of four verses each, and one (the last) of six. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 83:1-18

Soul spoilers. Dismissing from our consideration the probable historical occasion of this psalm (for which see 2 Chronicles 20:1-37 .), we take it as a vivid representation of the enemies and destroyers of the soul. Now— I. THERE ARE SUCH . Whoever yet sought to live the Divine life, and to walk with God in faithful obedience, that did not speedily find out that there were enemies of his soul such as are set forth here? For see— II. THEIR CHARACTERISTICS . 1 . ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 83:1-18

What God is to his people. The following general truths may be gathered up from this psalm. I. THAT SOMETIMES THE CHURCH OF GOD IS THREATENED BY A COMBINATION OF MANY DANGERS . As now—by science, philosophy, historical criticism, the spirit of commerce and the spirit of mammon, and what is called a worldly spirit. II. GOD AND HIS PEOPLE ARE ONE . ( Psalms 83:5 .) 1 . One in the closest relation. Father and children; Redeemer and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 83:2

For, lo, thine enemies ; i.e. Israel's enemies, who are also "thine enemies" (see the comment on Psalms 81:15 ). make a tumult ; literally, make a roaring, like the roaring of the sea (comp. Psalms 46:3 ; Isaiah 17:12 ). And they that hate thee (compare "the haters of the Lord," in Psalms 81:15 ). Have lifted up the head; i.e. raised themselves up against thee—taken a menacing attitude (comp. 8:28 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 83:2

The foes of the Church are the foes of God. The psalmist calls the enemies of his nation God ' s enemies. "Thine enemies make a tumult." But it would not be a matter interesting to us, or one about which we could pray, if they were God's enemies only. The point of importance is that they are God's enemies just because they are ours. We find the best relief from the fear of what they may do, in thinking that God counts them to be his enemies; and if we cannot defend ourselves from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 83:3

They have taken crafty counsel against thy people. Such a widespread confederacy as that described below ( Psalms 83:6-8 ) cannot have been formed without much secret consultation and plotting. And consulted against thy hidden ones; i.e. "those whom thou hidest in the covert of thy presence from the plottings of man" ( Psalms 31:20 , Revised Version: comp. Psalms 27:5 ). read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 83:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 83:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 83:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 83:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 83:1-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 83:1-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 83:1-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 83:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 83:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 83:3

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