Psalms 83:5
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Psalms 83:5
5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:
Chapter Context
Psalms 83 is a poetic and liturgical chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of creation, covenant, worship. Written during various periods (c. 1000-400 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Temple worship utilized these compositions across various periods of Israel's history.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-18: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it demonstrates God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Psalms and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Psalms 83:5
5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:
Analysis
For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee. The enemies' conspiracy achieves unified agreement—rare among competing nations. Yachdav nisabu lev echad (יַחְדָּו נוֹעֲצוּ לֵב אֶחָד, "together they have consulted with one heart") emphasizes remarkable unity. The phrase lev echad ("one heart") suggests unanimous purpose and coordinated strategy. Nations that normally compete now collaborate with singular focus: destroying Israel.
They are confederate against thee (brit yikhrotu aleikha, בְּרִית יִכְרֹתוּ עָלֶיךָ) uses covenant language—karat brit (כָּרַת בְּרִית, "to cut covenant") is the standard Hebrew idiom for making formal treaties. These enemies formalize their alliance, binding themselves by oath to joint action. The preposition aleikha ("against You") directs this covenant not merely against Israel but against God Himself. They make covenant to break God's covenant—formal agreement to oppose the Almighty.
This perverse unity ironically demonstrates human capacity for cooperation while highlighting the darkness of that cooperation's purpose. Humanity can achieve remarkable coordination, but often unites for evil rather than good. Acts 4:27-28 describes similar conspiracy: "For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together." Yet God's purposes prevail despite—even through—coordinated human opposition.
Historical Context
Ancient coalitions were unstable—competing kingdoms had conflicting interests, mutual suspicions, and rival ambitions. That ten distinct nations (vv. 6-8) could unite in common purpose required extraordinary circumstances and mutual hatred for Israel. This confederacy's fragility is seen in Judges 7:22 when Gideon's enemies turned on each other, or 2 Chronicles 20:23 when Moab and Ammon's coalition self-destructed. Human alliances against God's purposes may appear formidable but contain seeds of their own destruction. History repeatedly demonstrates that godless coalitions fracture under pressure—only covenants made under God's authority have lasting stability (Genesis 21:22-32, Joshua 9:15).
Reflection
- What does it reveal about fallen humanity that people can unite in opposition to God with "one heart" more easily than uniting in obedience to Him?
- How does recognizing that enemies make covenant "against thee" (God) rather than merely against believers affect your understanding of spiritual conflict?
- What biblical examples show God's purposes prevailing despite coordinated human opposition, and what encouragement do these provide?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Psalms 2:2, Revelation 17:13, 19:19