1.
Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.
1. God addressed as indifferent
(compare Psalms 35:22; Psalms 39:12).
be not still—literally,
"not quiet," as opposed to action.
2.
For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.
2. thine enemies—as well as
ours (Psalms 74:23; Isaiah 37:23).
3.
They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
3. hidden ones—whom God
specially protects (Psalms 27:5;
Psalms 91:1).
4.
They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
4. from being a nation—utter
destruction (Isaiah 7:8; Isaiah 23:1).
Israel—here used for
Judah, having been the common name.
5.
For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:
5. they have consulted—with
heart, or cordially.
together—all alike.
6.
The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
6-8. tabernacles—for people
(Psalms 78:67).
they—all these united
with the children of Lot, or Ammonites and Moabites (compare Psalms 78:67).
7.
Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8.
Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.
9.
Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:
9-11. Compare the similar fate
of these (2 Chronicles 20:23) with that
of the foes mentioned in Judges 7:22,
here referred to. They destroyed one another (Judges 4:6-24;
Judges 7:25). Human remains form
manure (compare 2 Kings 9:37;
Jeremiah 9:22).
10.
Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.
11.
Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:
12.
Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.
12. The language of the
invaders.
houses—literally,
"residences," enclosures, as for flocks ().
of God—as the
proprietors of the land (2 Chronicles 20:11;
Isaiah 14:25).
13.
O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.
13. like a wheel—or, whirling
of any light thing (Isaiah 17:13),
as stubble or chaff (Psalms 1:4).
14.
As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;
14, 15. Pursue them to an utter
destruction.
15.
So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.
16.
Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.
16. that they may seek—or as
Psalms 83:18, supply "men,"
since Psalms 83:17; Psalms 83:18
amplify the sentiment of Psalms 83:16,
expressing more fully the measure of destruction, and the lesson of
God's being and perfections (compare Psalms 83:16) taught to all men.
17.
Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:
18.
That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.