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Psalm 83 · a question people ask

The psalm names Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia, Tyre, Assyria and others (83:6-8). When did they all come against Israel, and who are they today?

In the text

The psalm doesn't say when. It names the peoples (83:6-8) and says what they said, "let’s destroy them as a nation" (83:4), but it names no king of Israel, no date and no battle, and its title, "A song. A Psalm by Asaph." (83:1), gives no occasion. These notes don't say which event it was, or whether it was one event. And they apply none of these names to any people, nation or conflict today: the psalm is a prayer to God, "God, don’t keep silent" (83:1), and what it asks for at its end is "that they may seek your name, LORD" (83:16), and "that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth" (83:18).

The verses

“A song. A Psalm by Asaph. God, don’t keep silent. Don’t keep silent, and don’t be still, God.”
Psalm 83:1 · World English Bible
““Come,” they say, “let’s destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.””
Psalm 83:4 · World English Bible
“The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab, and the Hagrites; Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assyria also is joined with them. They have helped the children of Lot. Selah.”
Psalm 83:6-8 · World English Bible
“Fill their faces with confusion, that they may seek your name, LORD.”
Psalm 83:16 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 83

Psalm 83: God, don't keep silent

Psalm 83 asks God not to be quiet three ways in one line, with three Hebrew words (83:1). Its enemies want "the name of Israel" remembered no more (83:4), and it prays against them with the stories of Judges (83:9-11). But it ends asking that they "seek your name" (83:16) and know the one "whose name is the LORD" (83:18): name, shem, three times.

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions