Psalms 83:1

1 O God, do not keep silent; do not be still, do not be quiet!

Psalms 83:1 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 83:1

Keep not thou silence, O God
Which he is thought and said to do, when he does not answer the prayers of his people, nor plead their cause, nor rebuke their enemies; when he does not speak a good word to them, or one for them, or one against those that hate and persecute them;

hold not thy peace;
or "be not deaf" F2 to the cries and tears of his people, and to the reproaches, menaces, and blasphemies of wicked men:

and be not still, O God;
or "quiet" F3, at rest and ease, inactive and unconcerned, as if he cared not how things went; the reason follows.


FOOTNOTES:

F2 (vrxt-la) "ne obsurdescas", Vatablus; "ne surdum agas", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "ne quasi surdus et mutus sis", Michaelis.
F3 (jqvt la) "ne quiescas", Pagninus, Montanus, Musculus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Gejerus; "neque quietus sis", Michaelis.

Psalms 83:1 In-Context

1 O God, do not keep silent; do not be still, do not be quiet!
2 Look! Your enemies are in revolt, and those who hate you are rebelling.
3 They are making secret plans against your people; they are plotting against those you protect.
4 "Come," they say, "let us destroy their nation, so that Israel will be forgotten forever."
5 They agree on their plan and form an alliance against you:
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.