Laib, it’s interesting that you ask about Psalm 83 since it is so relevant to our times!
Psalm 83 deals with a multinational force (Ammon, Moav, Aram, and Edom) that is coming to annihilate Israel. They even hired foreign mercinaries so that Israel’s defenses would be completely overwhelmed. The details are in II Chronicles, Chapter 20.
Their ultimate goal was to obliterate all recognition of Hashem in the world. No Jews = No Hashem.
Assaf, with prophetic insight, tells King Jehoshafat that Hashem will wage (and win) the war. The Jews’ sole role was to offer songs of praise to Hashem – “A song with musical accompaniment.” (Psalm 83:1)
In Psalm 83:18: “Let them be ashamed and terrified forever…”
Assaf asks Hashem to completely and permanently overthrow all who attack Him. The focus was on the desecration to Hashem’s Name by these enemies – Hashem doesn’t protect His people, Hashem is weak, etc. Personal revenge played no part in the Jews’ response to their enemies.
“… then they will be disgraced and perish.”
Hashem’s enemies will naturally feel disgraced when they realize how foolish they were to try to wipe out Hashem! In II Chronicles, it describes that the enemy forces were also physically disgraced because their bodies lay unburied in the battlefield.
So, when reading these Tehillim, our focus/attitude/intention toward our enemies must remain on how victory over them will sanctify His Name. Our hope for victory must be directed toward making a Kiddush Hashem.
Indeed, Asaf ends: “Then they will know that You, Whose Name is Hashem, are alone Most High over all the earth.”
2. Laib
1/11/2024
Thank you, that article was very helpful. Could you help me understand what kavanah (intention) I should have when saying verses like in Tehillim 83:18 “Let them be ashamed and terrified forever; let them be disgraced and perish.” יבשו ויבהלו עדי־עד ויחפרו ויאבדו This is talking about the enemies of Israel. There are many similar verses like this in Tehillim. תודה
1/11/2024
Laib, it’s interesting that you ask about Psalm 83 since it is so relevant to our times!
Psalm 83 deals with a multinational force (Ammon, Moav, Aram, and Edom) that is coming to annihilate Israel. They even hired foreign mercinaries so that Israel’s defenses would be completely overwhelmed. The details are in II Chronicles, Chapter 20.
Their ultimate goal was to obliterate all recognition of Hashem in the world. No Jews = No Hashem.
Assaf, with prophetic insight, tells King Jehoshafat that Hashem will wage (and win) the war. The Jews’ sole role was to offer songs of praise to Hashem – “A song with musical accompaniment.” (Psalm 83:1)
In Psalm 83:18:
“Let them be ashamed and terrified forever…”
Assaf asks Hashem to completely and permanently overthrow all who attack Him. The focus was on the desecration to Hashem’s Name by these enemies – Hashem doesn’t protect His people, Hashem is weak, etc. Personal revenge played no part in the Jews’ response to their enemies.
“… then they will be disgraced and perish.”
Hashem’s enemies will naturally feel disgraced when they realize how foolish they were to try to wipe out Hashem! In II Chronicles, it describes that the enemy forces were also physically disgraced because their bodies lay unburied in the battlefield.
So, when reading these Tehillim, our focus/attitude/intention toward our enemies must remain on how victory over them will sanctify His Name. Our hope for victory must be directed toward making a Kiddush Hashem.
Indeed, Asaf ends:
“Then they will know that You, Whose Name is Hashem, are alone Most High over all the earth.”
1/11/2024
Thank you, that article was very helpful. Could you help me understand what kavanah (intention) I should have when saying verses like in Tehillim 83:18 “Let them be ashamed and terrified forever; let them be disgraced and perish.” יבשו ויבהלו עדי־עד ויחפרו ויאבדו This is talking about the enemies of Israel. There are many similar verses like this in Tehillim. תודה