Psalm 83 is an intriguing psalm. On the surface it is characterized as an imprecatory psalm in which Asaph calls upon God for vengeance by utterly destroying Israel's enemies. But upon deeper reflection, one notices that the psalm is arranged around the three major promises of the covenant God made with Abraham: an eternal nation, an eternal land, and eternal blessings upon both Israel and the nations.

The psalmist, then, is not merely driven by a desire for vengeance and judgment. Rather, the psalmist's desire is for the promises of the Abrahamic covenant to come to fruition. But because of the nations' hatred for the Lord, and consequently, his people Israel, for those promises to be realized God must first deliver his people from all their enemies and do this in such a way that it leads the nations to repent of their sin and to seek the Lord.

Asaph then closes his prayer on a hopeful note (vs.16-18). Out of a desire for the Lord to fulfill his promise to Israel to provide blessings to them and the nations, he prays Israel's enemies would be humbled before the Lord.

YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/X7YH6wDUUZg

Send us a text