‏ Psalms 83

* The designs of the enemies of Israel. (1-8) Earnest prayer for

their defeat. (9-18)1-8 Sometimes God seems not to be concerned at the unjust

treatment of his people. But then we may call upon him, as the

psalmist here. All wicked people are God's enemies, especially

wicked persecutors. The Lord's people are his hidden one; the

world knows them not. He takes them under his special

protection. Do the enemies of the church act with one consent to

destroy it, and shall not the friends of the church be united?

Wicked men wish that there might be no religion among mankind.

They would gladly see all its restraints shaken off, and all

that preach, profess, or practise it, cut off. This they would

bring to pass if it were in their power. The enemies of God's

church have always been many: this magnifies the power of the

Lord in preserving to himself a church in the world. 9-18 All who oppose the kingdom of Christ may here read their

doom. God is the same still that ever he was; the same to his

people, and the same against his and their enemies. God would

make their enemies like a wheel; unsettled in all their counsels

and resolves. Not only let them be driven away as stubble, but

burnt as stubble. And this will be the end of wicked men. Let

them be made to fear thy name, and perhaps that will bring them

to seek thy name. We should desire no confusion to our enemies

and persecutors but what may forward their conversion. The

stormy tempest of Divine vengeance will overtake them, unless

they repent and seek the pardoning mercy of their offended Lord.

God's triumphs over his enemies, clearly prove that he is,

according to his name JEHOVAH, an almighty Being, who has all

power and perfection in himself. May we fear his wrath, and

yield ourselves to be his willing servants. And let us seek

deliverance by the destruction of our fleshly lusts, which war

against the soul