Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb ,.... Two princes of Midian, who were slain, the one at the rock Oreb, and the other at the winepress of Zeeb, so called after their names, Judges 7:25 , yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna ; kings of Midian, slain by Gideon, Judges 8:21 . read more
Lake their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb - They were two of the chiefs, or generals, of the Midianites; and were slain in the pursuit of the Midianites, by the men of Ephraim; and their heads brought to Gideon on the other side of JorDaniel Judges 7:24 , Judges 7:25 . Yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna - These were kings of Midian, who were encamped at Karkor with fifteen thoussand men, whom Gideon attacked there, and defeated, and took the kings prisoners; and... read more
Metrically, the psalm divides into four strophes, three of four verses each, and one (the last) of six. read more
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
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
Prayer based on experience and on history. "Do unto them as unto the Midianites." Prayers which apparently express a desire for revenge are often misunderstood. Deliverance from national enemies of necessity involves the discomfiture and destruction of those enemies; and therefore a poet may ask for that discomfiture, not because he is thinking of the harm done to the enemy, but because he wants a figurative way of asking for the deliverance and safety of his people. Revengeful utterances... read more
Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb . "Oreb" and "Zeeb," the leaders of the Midianitish host, were taken prisoners and slain by the Ephraimites who pursued after Midian ( 7:25 ). Yea, all their princes as Zeba, and as Zalmunna. Zeba and Zalmunna were the kings of Midian slain by Gideon himself ( 8:21 ). read more
Make their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb - These were princes or rulers of the Midianites, slain by Gideon, the one on the rock Oreb, and the other at the wine-press of Zeeb. Judges 7:25. The prayer here is, that the enemies who had conspired against the land of Israel might be utterly destroyed.Yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna - The word here rendered princes means properly anointed, and was given to princes, kings, prophets, and priests, as anointed, or as set apart by... read more
Psalms 83:10-12. Which perished at En-dor Either, 1st, The Midianites; or rather, Jabin and Sisera, who were overthrown at Taanach and Megiddo, (Judges 5:19,) nigh unto which places was this En-dor, as appears from Joshua 17:11. They became as dung upon the earth They were trodden under foot, and their carcasses left unburied. Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God The houses and lands of the Israelites, which their God, as they say, gave them in Canaan; but to which they... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 83:9-18
The psalmist here, in the name of the church, prays for the destruction of those confederate forces, and, in God's name, foretels it; for this prayer that it might be so amounts to a prophecy that it shall be so, and this prophecy reaches to all the enemies of the gospel-church; whoever they be that oppose the kingdom of Christ, here they may read their doom. The prayer is, in short, that these enemies, who were confederate against Israel, might be defeated in all their attempts, and that they... read more