Chronicles of a Journeyman

Psalm 83

1-8: Conspiracy against God’s people

9-12: Destruction of past enemies

13-18: Destruction of present conspirators

This psalm of Asaph is a plea from start to finish, calling on God to destroy the enemies of His people. He draws God’s attention to the conspiracies of neighbouring nations to eliminate Israel from the face of the earth and pleads for them to be destroyed.

After describing the various conspirators and their plot, he recalls the destruction of past enemies, asking for God to deal with the present enemies as with the past ones. He then closes with specific pleas for their destruction so that the LORD will be known as the Most High over all the earth.

Asaph’s prayer hinges on one premise: God is in covenant with Israel, therefore a plot against Israel is a plot against God. His prayer is a plea for God to defend His name and honour, and demonstrate His power as the one true God over all the earth. Selah.