Psalm 83:1-18
Q.1. What upset Asaph? Why did the enemy gang up against Israel? How did he describe Israel? Why should God act? – (Ps.83:1-8)
Asaph was provoked by the attacks of Israel’s enemies, who – have exalted themselves. They make shrewd plans against Your people … They have said, ‘Come and let us wipe them out as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more’ (Ps.83:2-4). However, God had been silent, so Asaph begged Him to intervene on behalf of – Your treasured ones (Ps.83:3 c.f. Ps.83:1). The surrounding ancient enemies from … Edom, Ishmael, Moab, Hagrites, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia, Tyre, and Assyria had taken advantage of Babylon’s invasion and ganged up against God’s people (Ps.83:6-8).
Q.2. How did Asaph plead with God? Why did he cry for God’s intervention? How did he want God to be viewed? – (Ps.83:9-18)
Asaph recalled God’s punishment of Israel’s enemies in the past and called on Him to destroy and scatter those trying to annihilate Israel (Ps.83:9-15). His reason for asking God to act, was so – that they may seek Your name, O Lord (Ps.83:16). This would furnish convincing proof so – that they may know that You alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most-High over all the earth (Ps.83:18).