Psalm 83—Even in Silence God Speaks Over All the Earth

I find this funny. Or strange. That the God who spoke creation into existence and who gives us the Word would be silent.

“O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!” Psalm 83:1

It is also strange that a psalmist would have to ask him not to be silent. Or to hold his peace. Or he—who is moving across the world—would be still.

And yet, in our pain-filled world, it may seem like he is silent sometimes.

“For behold, your enemies make an uproar; those who hate you have raised their heads.” Psalm 83:2

God has spoken, but it seems he is silent. Enemies make an uproar and raise their heads against his people. Temporal voices crowd out eternal declarations. These enemies are crafty and consult with each other for the demise of those who are treasured by God. These enemies consult to wipe out God’s people. They want to erase God’s people’s name. Those who are in covenant with God have been the target of a conspiracy. Enemies covenant against those in covenant with God. Nation after nation, people after people build momentum against the people of God.

And yet, God is not silent. Asaph calls on God to do to these enemies, these nations, as he did to Midian and others.

Listen to this strong language. Whirling dust. Chaff. Consumes. Ablaze. Tempest. Terrify. Hurricane.

“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!” Psalm 83:13-15

While nations rage, as in Psalm 2, God is not silent. Even if he does not speak with his mouth he speaks with his mighty power. Enemies are made to scatter like dust in wind. Again, like chaff. Enemies are like forest kindling to a fire. A fire grows to a blaze and overwhelms even mountains. Asaph calls on God to pursue their enemies like a hurricane—a terrifying tempest.

“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…” Psalm 83:16-17

Asaph called on God who has spoken to speak now. Arrogant enemies speak loudly. And God’s power turns their boastful mouths to shameful faces.

But it’s for one purpose: so that even they will seek God.

Asaph seeks their shame and disgrace to dismay them in their schemes so that the purposes of God will prevail.

Again, for one purpose. Speak, O God, so that even those who are your enemies may know your name. May they know the name of the Most High who is over all the earth. God, do not keep silence. Do not be still. Do not hold your peace. Speak so that your own name may be known through all the peoples of the earth.

“…that they may know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.” Psalm 83:18