Psalm 83[a]

A song. A psalm of Asaph.

O God, do not remain silent;(A)
    do not turn a deaf ear,
    do not stand aloof, O God.
See how your enemies growl,(B)
    how your foes rear their heads.(C)
With cunning they conspire(D) against your people;
    they plot against those you cherish.(E)
“Come,” they say, “let us destroy(F) them as a nation,(G)
    so that Israel’s name is remembered(H) no more.”

With one mind they plot together;(I)
    they form an alliance against you—
the tents of Edom(J) and the Ishmaelites,
    of Moab(K) and the Hagrites,(L)
Byblos,(M) Ammon(N) and Amalek,(O)
    Philistia,(P) with the people of Tyre.(Q)
Even Assyria(R) has joined them
    to reinforce Lot’s descendants.[b](S)

Do to them as you did to Midian,(T)
    as you did to Sisera(U) and Jabin(V) at the river Kishon,(W)
10 who perished at Endor(X)
    and became like dung(Y) on the ground.
11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,(Z)
    all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,(AA)
12 who said, “Let us take possession(AB)
    of the pasturelands of God.”

13 Make them like tumbleweed, my God,
    like chaff(AC) before the wind.
14 As fire consumes the forest
    or a flame sets the mountains ablaze,(AD)
15 so pursue them with your tempest(AE)
    and terrify them with your storm.(AF)
16 Cover their faces with shame,(AG) Lord,
    so that they will seek your name.

17 May they ever be ashamed and dismayed;(AH)
    may they perish in disgrace.(AI)
18 Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord(AJ)
    that you alone are the Most High(AK) over all the earth.(AL)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 83:1 In Hebrew texts 83:1-18 is numbered 83:2-19.
  2. Psalm 83:8 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

Psalm 83

Prayer for Judgment on Israel’s Foes

A Song. A Psalm of Asaph.

O God, do not keep silent;
    do not hold your peace or be still, O God!(A)
Even now your enemies are in tumult;
    those who hate you have raised their heads.(B)
They lay crafty plans against your people;
    they consult together against those you protect.(C)
They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation;
    let the name of Israel be remembered no more.”(D)
They conspire with one accord;
    against you they make a covenant—(E)
the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
    Moab and the Hagrites,(F)
Gebal and Ammon and Amalek,
    Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
Assyria also has joined them;
    they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah

Do to them as you did to Midian,
    as to Sisera and Jabin at the Wadi Kishon,(G)
10 who were destroyed at En-dor,
    who became dung for the ground.
11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,
    all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,(H)
12 who said, “Let us take the pastures of God
    for our own possession.”(I)

13 O my God, make them like whirling dust,[a]
    like chaff before the wind.(J)
14 As fire consumes the forest,
    as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,(K)
15 so pursue them with your tempest
    and terrify them with your hurricane.(L)
16 Fill their faces with shame,
    so that they may seek your name, O Lord.
17 Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever;
    let them perish in disgrace.(M)
18 Let them know that you alone,
    whose name is the Lord,
    are the Most High over all the earth.(N)

Footnotes

  1. 83.13 Or a tumbleweed