Psalms 83:1

1 A Song. A Psalm of Asaph. O God, do not keep silence; do not hold thy peace or be still, O God!

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 A Song. A Psalm of Asaph. O God, do not keep silence; do not hold thy peace or be still, O God!

2 For lo, thy enemies are in tumult; those who hate thee have raised their heads.

3 They lay crafty plans against thy people; they consult together against thy protected ones.

4 They say, "Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!"

5 Yea, they conspire with one accord; against thee they make a covenant--