Psalm 83:1

A song. A psalm of Asaph.

1 ^[a]O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God.

Psalm 83:1 in Other Translations

1 Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.

1 O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!

1 O God, do not be silent! Do not be deaf. Do not be quiet, O God.

1 God, don't shut me out; don't give me the silent treatment, O God.

1 O God, keep not thou silence: Hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.

1 O God, do not remain silent. Do not turn a deaf ear to me. Do not keep quiet, O God.

1 God, do not keep silent. Do not be deaf, God; do not be idle.

1 God, don't keep silent. God, don't keep quiet. Don't be still.

Psalm 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.

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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.

Psalm 83:1 In-Context

1 O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God.

2 See how your enemies growl, how your foes rear their heads.

3 With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish.

4 “Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation, so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.”

5 With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you—

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 28:1; Psalms 35:22; Isaiah 42:14; Isaiah 57:11; Isaiah 62:1; Isaiah 64:12

Footnotes

• [a] In Hebrew texts 83:1-18 is numbered 83:2-19.