EXPOSITION
THE psalmist makes a passionate appeal to God on behalf of Israel at a time of great danger. A confederacy has been formed among the surrounding nations, having for its object the destruction of Israel's nationality (Psalms 83:4). The confederacy includes Edom, the Ishmaelites, Moab, the Hagarenes, Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia, and Tyre (Psalms 83:6, Psalms 83:7); and it has the support of Assyria (Psalms 83:8). Much doubt exists as to the period of Israelite history whereto the psalm and the events it commemorates belong. The prevalent opinion identifies the movement with that made by Moab, Ammon, and Edom, in the reign of Jehoshaphat, whereof an account is given in 2 Chronicles 20:1-37. (So Tholuck, De Wette, Hengstenberg, Delitzsch, Kay, Canon Cook, and Professor Alexander.) Another view held is that the psalm belongs to the time of Nehemiah, and to the attempt then made to crash Israel by Sanballat, Geshem, and Tobiah. More recently, Professor Cheyne has argued strongly in favour of a Maccabean date, and endeavoured to identify the confederacy with that described in 1 Macc. 5; which was put down by Judas Maccabaeus. A post-Captivity date is, however, rendered impossible by the mention, among the confederates, of Amalek and Assyria, which had both ceased to exist before the time of Nebuchadnezzar. We are thus thrown back upon the first hypothesis, unless, indeed, a suggestion may be made that the time of David is possible, and that the occasion may be that described in 2 Samuel 10:1-19.; 1 Chronicles 19:1-19. Then only have we a record of Asshur helping the children of Lot (2 Samuel 10:16; 1 Chronicles 19:6, 1 Chronicles 19:16).
Metrically, the psalm divides into four strophes, three of four verses each, and one (the last) of six.