Chapter Eighty-Two

From the content it is clear that the psalm was written on account of an attack on the Hebrews by an alliance of hostile peoples under the leadership of “the sons of Lot” (Ps 82:9), that is, the Ammonites and Moabites, as descendants of the sons of Lot. Such a period in the life of the Hebrew people was the reign of Jehoshaphat, during which Moabites and Ammonites attacked him with some from the “land of Maon” and inhabitants of Mount Seir (2 Chr 20:1-2). Mount Seir, or the Edomite mountain, in its various parts was inhabited by different tribes, which included, for example, Edomites (“sons of Edom”) (Ps 82:7), Amalekites and Gebal, who dwelt on the northern slope of the Seir ridge, to the south of the Dead Sea. By the “Maonites” mentioned in the book of Chronicles, one may understand the Arabs, to whom belonged the Ishmaelites and Hagarites mentioned in the psalm.

The Philistines mentioned in the psalm, always hostile in their disposition toward the Judeans, could easily take part in the coalition of these peoples, as could also the Tyrians, whose peaceful relations after the death of Solomon completely ceased. Thus the time of Jehoshaphat coincides with the indications of the psalm concerning the peoples who then pressed the Hebrews. The name of Asaph in the inscription of the psalm also fits this time. When the inhabitants of Judea prayed before the Lord for salvation from enemies, the prophet Jahaziel (from the descendants of Asaph) received a revelation from God, which encouraged the Hebrews with a promise of miraculous help (2 Chr 20:14-17). He was probably the writer of this psalm.

God! Protect us from enemies, united for our complete destruction (2–5). Numerous tribes under the leadership of the sons of Lot conspired together (6–9). Strike them as You once struck the Canaanites and Midianites; scatter them like dust, burn them like fire burns all things; may they be put to shame, perish, and know You, the only ruler over all the earth (10–19).

Psalm 82:2. God! Do not keep silent; do not be quiet and do not remain at rest, God, The meaning of these figurative expressions is – do not delay, O Lord, Your help to us.

Psalm 82:4. against Your people they have devised a cunning plan and have conspired against those protected by You; “Devised a cunning plan” – in the sense of hidden, since their attack on Judea was completely unexpected for Jehoshaphat (2 Chr 20:2).

Psalm 82:5. they said, “Come, let us wipe them out from the nations, so that the name of Israel may be remembered no more. The attack was all the more threatening in that the enemies aimed at the complete destruction of God’s people – “so that the name of Israel may be remembered no more” (2 Chr 20:11).

Psalm 82:6. They have united with one purpose, made a covenant against You: “United with one purpose” – that is, a coalition was formed, an alliance, and the attack was simultaneous. The mention of an alliance testifies that the psalm cannot be attributed either to the time of David, or to the time of the Babylonian captivity, or to the times of the Maccabees, since at none of these times was there such an alliance with such a composition of tribes.

Psalm 82:7. the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagarites, Psalm 82:8. Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre. Psalm 82:9. Assyria also joined with them: they became the strong arm of the sons of Lot. See the introduction to the psalm.

Psalm 82:10. Do to them as You did to Midian, as to Sisera and Jabin at the brook Kishon, Psalm 82:11. who were destroyed at Endor, they became dung for the ground. Psalm 82:12. Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb and all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, Jabin was a Canaanite king, Sisera was his general, destroyed by the judge Barak. The Midianites with kings Zebah and Zalmunna and generals Oreb and Zeeb were defeated by Gideon. Endor lay not far from Tabor, near the place of Barak’s victory.

Psalm 82:13. who said, “Let us take for ourselves the dwelling places of God. “Let us take for ourselves the dwelling places of God” – let us seize and settle in the land of the people whom God protects. The rich spoil which fell to Jehoshaphat after the destruction of the enemies showed that their movement against Judea was a migration with all their possessions and families. Evidently the enemies were confident of victory and aimed not only at conquest for the purpose of extending their political influence and enrichment, but also at the complete destruction of the Judean kingdom.