Psalm 83:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites,

NIV: the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites,

NASB: The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites;

CSB: the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites,

NLT: these Edomites and Ishmaelites; Moabites and Hagrites;

KJV: The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;

NKJV: The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites;

Asaph begins to list the enemies conspiring against the Lord and His people, Israel (Psalm 83:1–3). These nations seek more than victory; they want to see Israel entirely erased, even from memory (Psalm 83:4–5). He begins by listing the Edomites, Ishmaelites, Moabites, and Hagrites. Later verses will include the nations of Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia, Tyre, and Asshur (Psalm 83:7–8). Most of these are long-time, recurring enemies of the nation of Israel.

This exact list of nations is difficult to associate with other biblical events. That is, no threat recorded in Scripture precisely matches this roster of enemies. It's possible that Asaph is using the names of enemy nations to refer to directions: implying an assault from all sides and all distances. Another option is that this depicts some future event, which would also imply that Asaph's list is somewhat symbolic.

Among the closest possible matches within the Bible is 2 Chronicles chapter 20. In that passage, a large army attacks Israel during the reign of Jehoshaphat. The combined forces, along with their various locations and meeting points, might correspond to the list in this Psalm. That option would suggest that someone like Jahaziel, an "Asaphite," wrote the song, rather than Asaph himself (2 Chronicles 20:14).

Edom originated with Esau (Genesis 36:1), the brother of the man God later renamed Israel (Genesis 32:28). Moab—and his brother Ammon—descended from Abraham's nephew, Lot (Genesis 19:34–38), and often dragged Israel into war and immorality (Numbers 25:1). Ishmael was Abraham's son by Hagar (Genesis 16:3–4), predicted to be forever in conflict with others, which would later include his half-brother, Isaac (Genesis 16:11–12). The Hagrites were involved in a war with Israel during the days of Saul (1 Chronicles 5:10).

Asaph prays for God to intervene in a conspiracy. Many nations cooperate to erase Israel and her legacy. He asks the Lord for protection, asking Him to repeat the harsh judgments brought on pagan nations in the past. Asaph extends this by asking God to bring destruction, ruin, and humiliation on these opponents. Despite this, Asaph recognizes that the proper goal is for these nations to recognize that God alone is Most High. This is one of several "imprecatory" psalms such as Psalm 5, 10, 17, 109, and 137, which request God to deliver severe harm on some enemy.

This is the last psalm identified with Asaph. It is one of the imprecatory psalms which call for harsh judgment from God. Other such psalms include 5, 10, 35, 109, and 137. The psalm is not explicitly connected to a historical event. It may refer to the attack on Jerusalem during the reign of Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20). Others see this as a general reference to the Gentile world's relentless attacks on Israel. Still others interpret this as a prophecy about a large-scale attack set to occur in the end times.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.