Psalm 83 – Most High over all the Earth
(by Li Sze Chow)
Asaph is the author of Psalm 83. He is probably a great singer and musician of David and Solomon’s era. There were ten enemies set against Israel (verses 5-8), a danger of extermination of Israel, in both the ancient and modern world. Therefore, Psalm 83 is a prayer for help when war threatens the nation. Asaph cried out to God in verse 1, “O God, do not remain silent!” He asks God to take action against those set on destroying Israel, in verses 1-4. Similarly, when our nation is in crisis, we shall relentlessly cry out to God for help instead of complaining or criticizing the politicians. When the people of God under the threat of destruction cry out to Him, He will not keep silent because the enemies are not only against His people, but also against His will, His name, and His glory.
In verses 9-12, Asaph reminds us of God’s victory in the days of the Judges and how God rescued Israel from many crises. As God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), we can certainly trust Him for deliverance and protection. We can proclaim, “Let us take possession of the pasturelands of God.” (verse 12).
In verses 13-15, Asaph prays that God will scatter the enemies like tumbleweed and chaff before the wind. They will be consumed like fire burns the forest. God will bring the enemies to destruction.
Asaph ends this psalm with an unexpected turn. After praying for the destruction of Israel’s enemies, he prays that they would be thoroughly humbled so they will be led to seek the Lord. People will often only seek the Lord if they are crushed or laid low before His power. Then, they may know that Yahweh is the Lord, the “Most High over all the earth” (verse 18).
Let’s Read Psalm 83
A song. A psalm of Asaph.
1 O God, do not remain silent;
do not turn a deaf ear,
do not stand aloof, O God.
2 See how your enemies growl,
how your foes rear their heads.
3 With cunning they conspire against your people;
they plot against those you cherish.
4 “Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation,
so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.”
5 With one mind they plot together;
they form an alliance against you—
6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,
of Moab and the Hagrites,
7 Byblos, Ammon and Amalek,
Philistia, with the people of Tyre.
8 Even Assyria has joined them
to reinforce Lot’s descendants.
9 Do to them as you did to Midian,
as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,
10 who perished at Endor
and became like dung on the ground.
11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,
all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
12 who said, “Let us take possession
of the pasturelands of God.”
13 Make them like tumbleweed, my God,
like chaff before the wind.
14 As fire consumes the forest
or a flame sets the mountains ablaze,
15 so pursue them with your tempest
and terrify them with your storm.
16 Cover their faces with shame, Lord,
so that they will seek your name.
17 May they ever be ashamed and dismayed;
may they perish in disgrace.
18 Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord—
that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.
Let’s Pray
O Heavenly Father, we humbly come before You, to seek your protection and deliverance for our nation. We proclaim that You alone are the Most High over all the earth. You will surely protect Your people who cry out to You. You will crush the enemies of Your people. We pray for the arrogant and brutal to be laid low and humble themselves, come before You and acknowledge You as the Lord of the Most High, in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
This devotional was kindly contributed by Dr. Chow Li Sze and her channel Heavenly Devotion. You may find the channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/HeavenlyDevotion/videos
About the Heavenly Devotion channel
The Heavenly Devotion channel is dedicated to encouraging you to listen to Bible Scriptures and pray with the Scriptures. They are inspired by the call of service as expressed and exemplified by Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:12-15.
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrew 4:12 NKJV)
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