Psalm 83

A Cry for Justice

_______________________________________

Intro

Psalm 83 is a communal lament pleading for God's intervention against oppressive enemies. This Psalm helps us understand the complex realities of living in a fallen world, while also pointing us toward the hope we have in Jesus Christ as our Deliverer and Peacemaker.

Section 1: Plea for God's Intervention (Verses 1-4)

"O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God! For behold, your enemies make an uproar; those who hate you have raised their heads. They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones. They say, 'Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!'"

Harmony

The plea for God's intervention amid persecution mirrors the trials faced by early Christians who also found solace in God's protection (1 Peter 5:10). In the face of opposition, Jesus Himself instructed His disciples to pray for deliverance (Matthew 6:13).

Talking Points

1. The reality of persecution and opposition faced by God's people.

2. The power of prayer in times of trouble, as taught by Jesus.

3. The faithful reliance on God for deliverance, as demonstrated by early Christians.

Questions

1. How does this Psalm resonate with our own experiences of trials and difficulties?

2. How does Jesus instruct us to respond when facing opposition?

3. How can we rely on God for deliverance in our current circumstances?

Section 2: Prayer for God's Judgment (Verses 5-12)

"For they conspire with one accord; against you they make a covenant— the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites, Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; Asshur also has joined them; they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. Selah. Do to them as you did to Midian, as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon, who were destroyed at En-dor, who became dung for the ground. Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, who said, 'Let us take possession for ourselves of the pastures of God.'"

Harmony

While the Psalmist calls for God's judgment on the wicked, the New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate Judge who will bring true and final justice (John 5:22, 27). His message, however, also emphasizes love for enemies and prayer for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44), illustrating a new way to respond to injustice.

Talking Points

1. The plea for God's just judgment on oppressors.

2. Jesus as the ultimate Judge who will establish perfect justice.

3. The tension between the Psalmist's plea for justice and Jesus' teaching on love for enemies.

Questions

1. How does the Psalmist's plea for justice reflect our own longing for justice in the face of oppression?

2. What do we learn about justice from the New Testament's depiction of Jesus as the ultimate Judge?

3. How do we reconcile the call for God's judgment on enemies in this Psalm with Jesus' teaching on love for enemies?

Section 3: Desire for God's Glory (Verses 13-18)

"O my God, make them like whirling dust, like chaff before the wind. As fire consumes the forest, as the flame sets the mountains ablaze, so may you pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your hurricane! Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O Lord. Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace, that they may know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth."

Harmony

The Psalmist's desire for God's glory to be known is echoed in Jesus' prayer for the Father's name to be glorified (John 17:1). Furthermore, Paul expresses hope that every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus as Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11).

Talking Points

1. The longing for God's glory to be known among all nations.

2. Jesus' own prayer for the Father's glory.

3. The anticipation of the day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus as Lord.

Questions

1. How does our desire for God's glory influence our prayers and actions?

2. How does Jesus' prayer for God's glory shape our understanding of His mission?

3. How can we live in anticipation of the day when Jesus is acknowledged as Lord over all?

Summary

Psalm 83 presents a passionate plea for God's intervention against oppressive forces, highlighting the stark realities faced by God's people in a fallen world. This lament resonates with the trials encountered by Jesus' followers, affirming the enduring relevance of such cries for deliverance.

As the Psalmist implores God's judgment on wicked oppressors, we are pointed towards the ultimate Judge—Jesus Christ—who not only assures final justice but also challenges us with a transformative command to love our enemies. This command fosters a new understanding of justice and enemy-love, emanating from the teachings of Christ.

Lastly, the Psalmist's yearning for God's glory to be universally recognized aligns with the mission of Jesus and the hope of His followers, anticipating the day when all creation will acknowledge the Lordship of Christ. 

Therefore, Psalm 83 invites us to yearn for justice, to live out Christ's command to love our enemies, and to hope for the universal recognition of God's glory, as fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Psalms