Psalm 83
Geneva Study Bible
For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.
For, lo, thine {b} enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.

(b) He calls them God's enemies, who are enemies of his Church.

They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy {c} hidden ones.

(c) The elect of God are his secret ones: for he hides them in the secret of his tabernacle, and preserves them from all dangers.

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.
They have said, Come, and let us {d} cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

(d) They were not content to take the Church as prisoner: but sought to utterly destroy it.

For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:
For they have consulted together {e} with one consent: they are confederate {f} against thee:

(e) By all secret means.

(f) They thought to have subverted your counsel in which the constancy of the Church was established.

The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;
Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;
Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.
Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children {g} of Lot. Selah.

(g) The wickedness of the Ammonites and Moabites is described in that they provoked these other nations to fight against the Israelites.

Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:
Do unto them as unto the {h} Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:

(h) By these examples they were confirmed that God would not permit his people to be completely destroyed, Jud 7:21,4:15.

Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.
Which perished at Endor: they became as {i} dung for the earth.

(i) Trodden under foot as mire.

Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:
Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:
Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.
Who said, Let us take to ourselves the {k} houses of God in possession.

(k) That is, Judea: for where his Church is, there he dwells among them.

O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.
O my God, make them like a {l} wheel; as the stubble before the wind.

(l) Because the reprobate could by no means be amended, he prays that they may utterly be destroyed, be unstable and led by all winds.

As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;
As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;
So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.
So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.
Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.
Fill their faces with shame; that they may {m} seek thy name, O LORD.

(m) That is, be compelled by your plagues to confess your power.

Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:
Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:
That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.
That men may {n} know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

(n) Though they do not believe, yet they may prove by experience, that it is in vain to resist against your counsel in establishing your Church.

The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599]

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