Welcome to Day 2703 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Day 2704 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 83:1-8 – Daily Wisdom

Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script – Day 2703

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2703 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

Today’s Wisdom Nugget is titled: A Conspiracy of Silence – When Nations Conspire – A Trek Through Psalm 83:1-8

Guthrie Chamberlain: Welcome to Wisdom-Trek, your compass for navigating the profound landscapes of faith and life. I’m your guide, Guthrie Chamberlain, and today, we open a new and urgent chapter in our journey through the Psalms. We’re embarking on a trek through Psalm 83 in the New Living Translation, encompassing its opening verses, 1 through 8.

Psalm 83, another psalm of Asaph, is a fervent communal lament and an imprecatory prayer, a desperate cry for God’s intervention against a specific and imminent threat. After the divine judgment scene of Psalm 82, where God condemned unjust human rulers in a heavenly court, this psalm brings us back to earth, to a very real and present danger: a grand conspiracy of nations with a single, malevolent goal.

This psalm is a powerful expression of a people facing a severe existential threat. The psalmist pleads with God, the ultimate Judge and ruler of the nations, not to remain silent in the face of this malicious plot. It reminds us that there are times when the threats are so great, so overwhelming, that the only hope is for a silent God to speak and a hidden God to act.

So, let’s immerse ourselves in this prayer of national desperation and listen to the psalmist’s earnest plea for God’s intervention against this formidable conspiracy.

• The Plea for a Silent God to Act

(Reads Psalm 83:1-4 NLT)

O God, do not remain silent! Do not turn a deaf ear. Do not stand aloof, O God. Don’t you hear the uproar of your enemies? Don’t you see the arrogance of those who hate you? They devise crafty schemes against your people, and they conspire against your treasured ones. “Come,” they say, “let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the memory of its existence.”

Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalm begins with an immediate, urgent, and almost confrontational plea for God to break His silence: “O God, do not remain silent! Do not turn a deaf ear. Do not stand aloof, O God.” This triple appeal highlights the profound distress of the people. God’s silence in the face of a terrifying threat is unbearable. “Remain silent” (charash) implies inactivity. “Turn a deaf ear” (al-al) implies a refusal to listen. “Stand aloof” (shalaq) suggests a deliberate distance, an indifference to their suffering. The psalmist is begging God to do the opposite of all these things: to speak, to listen, and to draw near and intervene. This lament stands in stark contrast to the divine pronouncements of judgment in the previous Psalm 82, where God’s voice was loud and clear. Here, that same mighty voice seems to be silent.

The reason for this plea is the escalating arrogance of their enemies: “Don’t you hear the uproar of your enemies? Don’t you see the arrogance of those who hate you?” This is a direct appeal to God’s senses, a desperate attempt to grab His attention. “Uproar” (hamon) suggests a loud, noisy, and chaotic clamor, likely a war cry or a unified, threatening sound. “Arrogance” (sha’on) implies a proud and disdainful attitude, a boastful display of power. These enemies are not just hostile; they “hate” God Himself. The psalmist is presenting a case to God: “Your enemies are making a great racket and acting with proud disdain toward You. Surely, You must hear and see this!”

The core of their plea is based on the enemies’ sinister and malicious conspiracy: “They devise crafty schemes against your people, and they conspire against your treasured ones.” This is not an open, honest battle but a secret, underhanded plot. “Crafty schemes” (sod) refers to a secret plan, a closed-door conspiracy. They have “conspired” (yā’ats) together, a coalition of nations united against a common foe. The target of this conspiracy is not just a nation; it’s “your people” and “your treasured ones” (tṣāphun). “Treasured ones” is a term of endearment, signifying God’s ownership and love for Israel, echoing the idea of them being God’s special possession (Deuteronomy 7:6). The psalmist is reminding God of His intimate relationship with Israel, arguing that an attack on them is an attack on Him.

The ultimate, horrifying goal of this conspiracy is then revealed: “Come,” they say, “let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the memory of its existence.” This is the chilling climax of their malicious plot. Their goal is not just conquest, or even tribute; it is total annihilation. “Wipe out Israel as a nation” (kārath) means to completely cut off their national identity, their political structure, and their very existence. The secondary goal is even more sinister: “We will destroy the memory of its existence.” This is an attempt at historical erasure, as if Israel never existed. This kind of conspiracy was the ultimate threat to the ancient Israelite people, whose identity was so intertwined with their covenant, their land, and their history. This psalm is giving voice to a people facing a clear and present danger of being completely erased from the face of the earth.

This opening section powerfully conveys the depth of the threat and the desperation of the psalmist’s plea for God to break His silence and act on behalf of His people.

• A Coalition of Malice and a Shared Purpose

(Reads Psalm 83:5-8 NLT)

Yes, they have a single purpose: to enter into a treaty against you. It is the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, of Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, of Philistia, with people from Tyre. Assyria has also joined them, and is the strongest ally of the descendants of Lot.

Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalmist now confirms that this is not a random collection of enemies, but a unified, deliberate conspiracy: “Yes, they have a single purpose: to enter into a treaty against you.” The phrase “a single purpose” (lebab echad) means “with one heart.” They are united in their malice. The treaty (berit) they have made is not just against Israel, but “against you”—against God Himself. This is a profound and direct accusation. The psalm argues that the enemy’s hatred for Israel is inseparable from their hatred for God. The conspiracy is not just a political matter; it is a theological one, a direct challenge to God’s sovereignty. This is why God must act.

The psalmist then provides a terrifying list of the nations involved in this conspiracy: “It is the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, of Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, of Philistia, with people from Tyre.” This list would have sent chills down the spine of an ancient Israelite. It’s a comprehensive coalition of their traditional, historical enemies.

• Edom and Moab and Ammon were neighboring peoples, descended from Abraham and Lot, making their enmity a kind of family betrayal.
• The Ishmaelites and Hagrites were nomadic peoples, often in conflict with Israel.
• Gebal was a city-state known for its naval power and influence.
• Amalek was a people with a long history of animosity toward Israel, going back to their ambush in the wilderness (Exodus 17:8).
• Philistia was a powerful, long-standing enemy on the coast.
• Tyre was a Phoenician city-state known for its immense wealth and naval power.

This list is a who’s who of hostile, surrounding nations, all united against Israel. It’s a comprehensive geographical and political threat, a coalition so formidable that it would seem impossible for Israel to overcome on its own.

And to make matters worse, the psalmist adds a final, terrifying name to the list: “Assyria has also joined them, and is the strongest ally of the descendants of Lot.” Assyria was the regional superpower, a brutal and feared empire known for its military might and its policy of exile and subjugation. Their inclusion in this conspiracy would have sealed Israel’s fate in any human calculation. “Descendants of Lot” refers to Moab and Ammon, underscoring the deep family betrayal and the formidable military support they received from the greatest power in the region.

This list is not just for information; it’s a profound, emotional argument for God. The psalmist is presenting a clear, detailed, and dire situation to the heavenly court. “Look, O God, at the conspiracy! Look at the enemies! They are united in their hatred for you and for your people. They are a coalition of our traditional foes, and even the world’s superpower has joined them. There is no hope for us unless you act.” This is a desperate appeal for God, the ultimate Judge from Psalm 82, to rise up and pronounce a verdict against these earthly conspirators.

Psalm 83:1-8 is a powerful and heart-wrenching psalm that gives voice to a people facing a clear and existential threat. It’s a plea for a silent God to act, a profound lament over a malicious conspiracy, and a reminder that when human forces conspire against God’s people, their ultimate target is God Himself.

What profound wisdom can we draw from these opening verses for our Wisdom-Trek today?

Firstly, this psalm validates the experience of feeling threatened and overwhelmed by forces that seem to have a “single purpose” to do us harm. It shows that it’s permissible to bring these fears and threats directly to God in prayer.

Secondly, it reminds us that our primary appeal for God’s intervention should be based on His honor and His cause. The conspiracy is not just against us, but “against you.” When we face threats, we can plead with God to act not just for our sake, but for the glory of His name.

Thirdly, the psalm highlights the dangers of a conspiracy and a unified purpose rooted in malice and hatred. It stands as a warning against such plots and a reminder that their ultimate end is an affront to God.

Finally, in a world where forces conspire against the faithful, this psalm provides hope. It reminds us that we are not alone. Our identity is rooted in being God’s “people” and His “treasured ones.” And the God we serve, the ultimate Judge, hears the uproar of His enemies and will ultimately rise up to act.

Let us learn from Asaph’s plea, bringing our fears and the threats we face to God, trusting that He will not remain silent forever but will rise up and act on behalf of His name.

Guthrie Chamberlain: Thank you for joining me on this profound trek through the opening verses of Psalm 83. I trust that this exploration of conspiracy, prayer, and God’s intervention has resonated with your own journey today. Join me again next time as we continue to seek and apply the timeless truths of God’s Word. Until then, keep moving forward, enjoy the journey, and create a great day! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, reminding you to Live Abundantly, Love Unconditionally, Listen Intentionally, Learn Continuously, Lend to others Generously, Lead with Integrity, and Leave a Living Legacy each day.