This Psalm is God's answer to the prayer of the remnant in the last verse of the previous Psalm 82:8.
Psalm 83 is the twelfth and final psalm of Asaph (Psalms 50; 73~83). It deals with the enemies of God. These enemies are neighboring nations of Israel who want to attack the land to wipe it off the face of the earth and live there themselves. In Jeremiah 12:14, God calls them: "mine evil neighbours".
The psalm begins with a twofold cry to God: "O God ... O God" (v. 1) and ends with the testimony about the one true God, the God of Israel, the "JEHOVAH", Who turns out to be the "the most high over all the earth" (V. 18). The remnant says to God that they have "crafty counsel against thy people" (v. 3). The deliberations they hold are directed against "thy hidden ones". Ten nations have united in a covenant against Israel (v. 6-8). Asaph could legitimately ask God to shame Israel's enemies in view of God's promise to Abraham (Genesis12:3). However, his ultimate concern was God's reputation (v. 18). Prayers based on God's reputation, His promises, and His past faithfulness are petitions that God will answer. However, He reserves the right to decide the correct time to act.
A Song or Psalm of Asaph. Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.
Psalms 83:2
For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.
Psalms 83:3
They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
Psalms 83:4
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.
Psalms 83:5
For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:
Psalms 83:6
The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
Psalms 83:7
Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;
Psalms 83:8
Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.
Psalms 83:9
Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:
Psalms 83:10
Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.
Psalms 83:11
Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:
Psalms 83:12
Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.
Psalms 83:13
O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.
Psalms 83:14
As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;
Psalms 83:15
So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.
Psalms 83:16
Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.
Psalms 83:17
Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:
Psalms 83:18
That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.
Ten nations have united in a covenant against Israel (Psalm 83:6-8; Daniel 9:27). The ten-state alliance that seeks to wipe out Israel consists primarily of neighboring nations, some of which are also related to Israel.
"Edom" is Esau (Psalm 83:6; Genesis 36:1; Genesis 36:8), the twin brother of Jacob (Genesis 26:24-26). It is a brother people of Israel. Edom is the archenemy of Israel (Numbers 20:14-21; Psalm 137:7; Obadiah 1:12-14). "The tents of Edom" refers to their dwelling places. The hatred of God's people has a home with them; they harbor the hatred.
"The Ishmaelites" are the descendants of Ishmael, who was fathered by Abraham with Hagar, Sarah's maid (Genesis 16:15-16; Genesis 25:12-18). They have the same father as Isaac and are therefore also closely related to Israel.
"Moab" is a descendant of Lot (Genesis 19:36-37). Lot is the son of Haran, the brother of Abraham (Genesis 11:24) and thus a nephew of Abraham. Here the family connection with Israel is somewhat more distant than with Edom and Ishmael, but is still clearly present. They have also always been hostile to God's people (Numbers 22:4-7; Judges 3:12-14).
"The Hagrites" are a nomadic tribe, living on the east side of the Jordan (1Chronicles 5:10).
The origin of "Gebal" (Psalm 83:7) is uncertain. From the only two Scriptures where Gebal is mentioned, we can conclude that there is a close connection with Tyre (1Kings 5:18; Ezekiel 27:9). We can tentatively conclude that Gebal is a city or a tribe that, like Tyre, is out for prosperity.
"Ammon", like Moab, is a descendant of Lot (Genesis 19:36; Genesis 19:38). They, too, have always been hostile to God's people (Judges 10:9; 1Samuel 11:1-2; 2Samuel 10:6; 2Samuel 10:8; Zepaniah 2:8-10).
"Amalek" is a descendant of Esau (Genesis 36:12; Genesis 36:16). They went to meet Israel as the first enemy after Israel was delivered by God from slavery in Egypt and set out for the promised land (Exodus 17:8-13). They are a vicious enemy who attacked the defenseless people at the rear, where all the weak are (Deuteronomy 25:17-18).
"Philistia" are the Philistines or Palestinians. These enemies live in the land of Israel and have been a constant plague on God's people. David has finally defeated them and subdued them (2Samuel 8:1; 1Kings 4:21). Here we see them asserting themselves again in the future.
"The inhabitants of Tyre" are characterized by their thirst for prosperity. When Jerusalem is destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, they rejoice over it. A competitor is gone, allowing them to trade more and increase their profit margin (Ezekiel 26:2). This motive drives them to be part of the upcoming coalition.
"Assyria" closes the list as the tenth ally (Psalm 83:8). "Assyria also has joined them" because of an agenda of their own and will take charge of the alliance. They have "become a help to the children of Lot", that are Moab and Ammon, to support them. This makes it plausible that Assyria has been asked to be part of the coalition. The former world power is a tremendous asset to the coalition. They will also set policy.
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