Psalms In My Palms - Book 4 - Lament

Whirlwind

Psalm 83:1-18

          Our friend, Asaph, returns with Psalm 83. Again, I must remind you that Asaph was concerned with vindicating the Glory of God over the wicked. This is not a personal vendetta but the defense of the reputation of God. Although he is addressing God, he is expressing his personal response to his love and trust in God as the HIGHEST POWER AND AUTHORITY. Just as we might say, "Please, don't use God's Name in vain, He is my dearest friend!" You might exclaim to those around you, "It hurts to hear God defamed!"

With this thought in mind, Psalm 83:1-4-(NKJV)-"Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold YOUR PEACE, and do not be still, O GOD!" (Psalm 28:1). " For behold, YOUR enemies make a tumult;" (Psalm 101:6-8). "And those who hate YOU lifted up their head." (Psalm 81:15). " They have taken crafty counsel against YOUR PEOPLE." (Psalm 27:5-6). "And consulted together against YOUR SHELTERED ONES. They have said, 'Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation." (Jeremiah 11:19; 31:36; Genesis 12:2-3)

Although the Israelites believed God would root out the evil acts of the wicked, they were always conscious of God's timing and His merciful delay of action against the wicked. We sometimes also forget our trials and tests have an infinite timing! "Do it now, Lord!" Is our cry. But God knows better! Although the attacks are satanic thrusts against God, they affect us so we react with impatience!

We will continue with Psalm 83:5-8 -(TEV)-"They agree on their plan and formed an alliance against YOU": (Collaborating on evil plans)

1. "The people of Edomite," (Numbers 20:14-21)

2. "And the Ishmaelites " (1 Chronicles 2:17)

3. "Moab" (Judges 3:12-14)

4. "And the Hagarites" (1 Chronicles 5:10, 20)

5. "The people of Gebal," (Ezekiel 27:9; Joshua 13:2-55)

6. "Ammon," (1 Samuel 11:1-3)

7. "And Amalek," (Numbers 13:29)

8. "Philistia" (Psalm 60:8)

9. "And Tyre," (Joshua 19:24-29; Isaiah 23:1-17)

10. "Assyria has also joined them, as a strong ally of the descendants of Lot." (2 Kings 15:19; 16:7-9; 2 Chronicles 28:20; 20:1-2)

From map study, we find the Israelites surrounded by adversaries of the alliance on all sides:

North by Gebal, Tyre, Nineveh, and Assyria;

East by Moab and Ammon;

West by Philistia;

Northwest by Ishmaelites; and

South by Edomites, and Amalek.

No wonder Asaph felt smothered by the adversaries!

In Psalm 80:9-12-(TLB), Asaph desired to see God's Hand once again on their behalf. He reminded God of the previous Battles of Victory. 'Do it again, Lord!' was his cry! So Asaph said:

1. "Do to them as once You did to Midian," (Judges 7:22-25)

2. "As You did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon." (Sisera-Judges 4:5; Jabin-Joshua 11:1-11)

3. "And as You did to Your enemies at Endor whose decaying corpses fertilized the soil." (Judges 5:20-21; Zechariah 1:17)

4. "Make their mighty nobles die as Oreb did," (Judges 7:25)

5. "And Zeeb,". (Judges 7:25 same as Oreb)

6. "Let their princes die like Zebah" (Judges 8:11-12)

7. "And Zalmunna, who said, 'Let us seize for our own these pasturelands of God.' " (Judges 8:11-2, 16)

Now we see what Asaph knew God could do!

Next, let's consider Psalm 83:13-18-(CEB)-"My God":

1. "Make them like tumbleweeds like chaff blown by the wind." (Whirling dust or wind-blown chaff. Here and then gone quickly; Isaiah 17:13; Psalm 35:5)

2. "Just like a fire consumes a forest, Just like flames set mountains ablaze," (Deuteronomy 32:22)

3. "Pursue them with Your storm, terrify them with Your hurricane." (Isaiah 29:5-6)

4. Cover their faces with shame, Lord, so that they may seek Your Name." (Opposite of dignity-Psalm 25:2-3)

5. "Let them be shamed and terrified forever. Let them die in disgrace." (Psalm 97:7)

6. "Let them know that YOU-YOUR NAME IS THE LORD!-YOU ALONE ARE MOST HIGH OVER ALL THE EARTH." (Psalm 59:13; Exodus 6:3; Psalm 92:8)

GOD HAS CONTROL OVER ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH! (Read Psalms 47:2; 78:35; 97:9)

NOTHING IS BEYOND HIS CONTROL AND AUTHORITY! YOU ARE LORD OF LORDS AND KING OF KINGS! NOTHING IS GREATER THAN YOU!

Next time...