13 O my God, make them as a rolling thing, As stubble before wind.
They are as straw before wind, And as chaff a hurricane hath stolen away,
They are as chaff before wind, And a messenger of Jehovah driving away.
Yea, they have not been planted, Yea, they have not been sown, Yea, not taking root in the earth is their stock, And also He hath blown upon them, and they wither, And a whirlwind as stubble taketh them away.
And I scatter them as stubble, Passing away, by a wind of the wilderness.
To the Overseer, on `The Hind of the Morning.' -- A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me? Far from my salvation, The words of my roaring?
Thou `art' He, my king, O God, Command the deliverances of Jacob.
To the Overseer. -- A Psalm, a song of David. Rise doth God -- scattered are His enemies! And those hating Him flee from His face. As the driving away of smoke Thou drivest away, As the melting of wax before fire, The wicked perish at the presence of God.
Why dost Thou turn back Thy hand, Even Thy right hand? From the midst of Thy bosom remove `it'. And God `is' my king of old, Working salvation in the midst of the earth.
Wo `to' the multitude of many peoples, As the sounding of seas they sound; And `to' the wasting of nations, As the wasting of mighty waters they are wasted. Nations as the wasting of many waters are wasted, And He hath pushed against it, And it hath fled afar off, And been pursued as chaff of hills before wind, And as a rolling thing before a hurricane. At even-time, lo, terror, before morning it is not, This `is' the portion of our spoilers, And the lot of our plunderers!
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 83
Commentary on Psalms 83 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 83
Ps 83:1-18. Of Asaph—(See on Ps 74:1, title). The historical occasion is probably that of 2Ch 20:1, 2 (compare Ps 47:1-9; 48:1-14). After a general petition, the craft and rage of the combined enemies are described, God's former dealings recited, and a like summary and speedy destruction on them is invoked.
1. God addressed as indifferent (compare Ps 35:22; 39:12).
be not still—literally, "not quiet," as opposed to action.
2. thine enemies—as well as ours (Ps 74:23; Isa 37:23).
3. hidden ones—whom God specially protects (Ps 27:5; 91:1).
4. from being a nation—utter destruction (Isa 7:8; 23:1).
Israel—here used for Judah, having been the common name.
5. they have consulted—with heart, or cordially.
together—all alike.
6-8. tabernacles—for people (Ps 78:67).
they—all these united with the children of Lot, or Ammonites and Moabites (compare 2Ch 20:1).
9-11. Compare the similar fate of these (2Ch 20:23) with that of the foes mentioned in Jud 7:22, here referred to. They destroyed one another (Jud 4:6-24; 7:25). Human remains form manure (compare 2Ki 9:37; Jer 9:22).
12. The language of the invaders.
houses—literally, "residences," enclosures, as for flocks (Ps 65:12).
of God—as the proprietors of the land (2Ch 20:11; Isa 14:25).
13. like a wheel—or, whirling of any light thing (Isa 17:13), as stubble or chaff (Ps 1:4).
14, 15. Pursue them to an utter destruction.
16. that they may seek—or as Ps 83:18, supply "men," since Ps 83:17, 18 amplify the sentiment of Ps 83:16, expressing more fully the measure of destruction, and the lesson of God's being and perfections (compare 2Ch 20:29) taught to all men.