Psalms 83:9

PRAYER FOR GOD TO INTERVENE AS IN ANCIENT INSTANCES OF HIS HELP

"Do thou unto them as unto Midian;

As to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the river Kishon;

Who perished at Endor,

Who became as dung for the earth.

Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb;

Yea, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna;

Who said, Let us take to ourselves in possession

The habitations of God"

"As unto Midian" (Psalms 83:9). The seventh chapter of Judges gives the narrative of how Gideon and three hundred men routed the Midianites, and beheaded their nobles Oreb and Zeeb.

"As to Sisera, as to Jabin" (Psalms 83:9). Judges 4 gives the record of Israel's victories over Sisera and Jabin, a key factor in which was that Jael, the wife of Heber, slew Sisera in his sleep, and Israel prevailed over Jabin the king of Canaan.

"Which perished at Endor" (Psalms 83:10). This was evidently the scene of the battle in which Jabin king of Canaan was defeated. The mention of the flesh of the slain fertilizing the ground is an indelicate thought such as many that we encounter in the imprecatory psalms.

"Like Oreb and Zeeb" (Psalms 83:11). These were discussed under Psalms 83:9, above.

"Like Zebah and Zalmunna" (Psalms 83:11). "These were two petty kings of Midian who were slain by Gideon (Judges 8:4-21)."[14]

"Let us take .... the habitations of God" (Psalms 83:12). This is difficult to understand because God had only one habitation in Israel, at the location of the tabernacle or the temple. Perhaps the enemy by this intention were thinking of all the dwellings of the Jews in Israel. The language of this verse should not be understood as the words of Oreb, Zeeb, Zebah and Zalmunna, but as the arrogant boast of the enemies mentioned in Psalms 83:6-8.