What is the meaning of Psalm 83:8? Even Assyria has joined them • The psalmist has already cataloged a long list of hostile nations (Psalm 83:6-7). Now he adds, “Even Assyria has joined them,” highlighting how the threat has escalated. • Assyria was the regional superpower known for overwhelming armies and ruthless conquest (2 Kings 17:5-6; Isaiah 10:5-14). Its inclusion tells readers that Israel’s enemies are not just neighboring tribes but a formidable empire. • The word “Even” stresses surprise and alarm—if Assyria is on board, the alliance is far more dangerous than the usual border skirmish (cf. 2 Kings 16:7-9, where Assyria’s involvement instantly changes the balance of power). • The verse therefore underscores the severity of the crisis: God’s people face overwhelming odds they cannot meet on their own. lending strength to the sons of Lot • “Sons of Lot” refers to Moab and Ammon, the nations born from Lot’s descendants (Genesis 19:36-38). These two had a complicated history with Israel, veering from uneasy neutrality to open hostility (Deuteronomy 23:3-4; Judges 3:12-14). • By “lending strength,” Assyria is pictured as the backbone of the coalition, supplying military might, resources, and strategic muscle that Moab and Ammon lack. Similar coalitions appear in Judges 3:12-13 and 2 Chronicles 20:1-2, where outside help emboldens local foes. • The line shows that what could have been a localized conflict is now turbo-charged by a global power, making the psalmist’s plea for divine intervention all the more urgent. Selah • “Selah” functions as a musical and reflective pause. Here it invites readers to stop and absorb the gravity of the alliance before moving on (compare Psalm 46:7, 11; both end sections describing turmoil with “Selah”). • The pause also signals confidence that, despite the terrifying lineup, God remains sovereign and will answer (Psalm 83:1, 13-18). The enemies are mighty, but the psalm is ultimately a call for God to act, reminding worshipers to rest in Him even while acknowledging the threat. summary Psalm 83:8 shows the climax of a hostile coalition: even the dominant Assyrian empire has thrown its weight behind Moab and Ammon (“the sons of Lot”), turning a regional threat into a seemingly hopeless situation. The verse magnifies Israel’s need for God’s intervention, and the “Selah” invites a pause to recognize both the peril and the assurance that the Lord will indeed rise to defend His people. |
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