Psalm 83:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 83:1-8

The Israel of God were now in danger, and fear, and great distress, and yet their prayer is called, A song or psalm; for singing psalms is not unseasonable, no, not when the harps are hung upon the willow-trees. I. The psalmist here begs of God to appear on the behalf of his injured threatened people (Ps. 83:1): ?Keep not thou silence, O God! but give judgment for us against those that do us an apparent wrong.? Thus Jehoshaphat prayed upon occasion of that invasion (2 Chron. 20:11), Behold,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 83:2

For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult ,.... Or "a noise" F4 יהמיון "sonuerunt", V. L. "perstrepunt", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius; "strepunt", Gejerus. : wicked men are commonly noisy, roaring out their blasphemies against God, belching out oaths and curses, and breathing threatenings and slaughter against the saints; especially a numerous army of them, consisting of many people and nations, as this did; who are called the Lord's "enemies", being the enemies of his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 83:2

Thine enemies make a tumult - They are not merely the enemies of thy people, but they are the enemies of thyself, thy worship, ordinances, and laws: "They make a tumult," they throng together. They - have lifted up the head - They have made an irruption into the land of Judea, and encamped at En-gedi, by the Dead Sea, 2 Chronicles 20:1 , 2 Chronicles 20:2 . read more

John Calvin

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

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 83:2

For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult - Are excited; are aroused; are moving in a wild, furious, tumultuous manner, rushing on to the accomplishment of their designs. They come like rolling waves of the sea. See the word used here explained in the notes at Psalms 2:1, where it is rendered, in the text, “rage;” in the margin, “tumultuously assemble.”And they that hate thee - Thine enemies; the enemies of thy cause, and of thy people. Who they were is specified in Psalms 83:6-8.Have lifted up the... read more

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