Psalm 83:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Asshur also has joined them; they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah

NIV: Even Assyria has joined them to reinforce Lot's descendants.

NASB: Assyria also has joined them; They have become a help to the children of Lot. Selah

CSB: Even Assyria has joined them; they lend support to the sons of Lot. Selah

NLT: Assyria has joined them, too, and is allied with the descendants of Lot. Interlude

KJV: Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.

NKJV: Assyria also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot. Selah

This completes a list of nations which surrounded Israel and conspired for her complete obliteration (Psalm 83:1–5). So far, the list has included Edom, Ishmael, Moab, the Hagrites, Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia, and Tyre (Psalm 83:6–7).

Last to be mentioned is Asshur, or Assyria: an enormously powerful nation also known for plaguing Israel (Genesis 10:11; Jonah 1:1–2; 2 Kings 5:1–9; 17:6). That Asaph calls Assyria the "strong arm of the children of Lot" suggests that the Moabites and Ammonites (Genesis 19:34–38) were leading this coalition to destroy the nation of Israel. Later in Israel's history, Assyria would conquer and forcibly relocate many Israelites (2 Kings 17:6; 18:11).

The combined enemies in Asaph's list represent a geographical surrounding of Israel. These enemies planned to attack Israel together, implying they would do so from all sides: north, south, east, and west. The situation resembles an era after the exile (Ezekiel 1:1) when hateful, jealous nations bordering Israel conspired. They sought to destroy Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's broken walls (Nehemiah 1:1–3). At first, they tried to discourage Nehemiah and his workers by ridiculing their rebuilding efforts (Nehemiah 4:1–3). When the ridicule failed, they "plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem" (Nehemiah 4:8).

This section ends with the word selah. The exact meaning of the term is unknown. However, it seems to suggest a pause for reflection, or a musical interlude.

Psalm 83:1–8 forms the first half of Asaph's psalm. He urges God to act against Israel's enemies, who plan to wipe Israel from the face of the earth. These aggressors deliberately plan their assault; they agree about annihilating God's people. Asaph lists ten groups, which include many of Israel's historic enemies.

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.