Psalm 83 (82):1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He raises a supplication to the Lord, requesting divine retribution against the Assyrian nations for their pride in their combat against Jerusalem. These nations are the ones referred to in the subsequent verses of the psalm.

Following the return of the Israelites from Babylon, their neighboring nations, upon witnessing the restoration of God's temple and the elevation of His people, united and summoned various barbaric tribes to wage war against the Israelites. This event was prophesied by the holy Joel and Ezekiel, as well as the remarkable seers Micah and Zechariah. Nevertheless, the Israelites, led by Zerubbabel, triumph over their adversaries through divine intervention, as God demolishes the arrogance of those who oppose them. This serves as a prefiguration of the psalm. The prophecy conveyed by the Holy Spirit is presented as a prayer, instructing those in conflict on how to seek God’s favor.

The meaning of the opening of Psalm 1 has been discussed in the ninth chapter of the Psalms' preface. Theodoret posits that this psalm was composed for the Jewish people who returned to Jerusalem after their exile in Babylon. Upon their arrival, surrounding nations, alarmed by the rebuilding of the second temple and the city itself, united with other hostile groups to wage war against the Jews. However, they were ultimately overpowered by the Israelites, led by Zerubbabel, with divine assistance. This psalm was therefore crafted as a prayer during that pivotal moment.

The prophet aptly referred to this account as both a song and a psalm, as he merged the prophecy—often termed a psalm—with a triumphant song celebrating victory over adversaries.

The psalm of Asaph begins with a plea for assistance from God against those who oppose the Church. The prophet identifies the numerous nations that have conspired together with the aim of eradicating God's people and, in doing so, threatening the very existence of the Church. To inspire himself and others to fervent prayer, he presents various instances on Wednesday that illustrate how God provides significant support to His servants.

There are various interpretations regarding the background of the psalm. Some scholars link it to the era of David, as seen in 2 Samuel 10 and following verses, while others associate it with the Assyrian attack led by Sennacherib. Additionally, certain theologians such as Basil and Theodoret connect it to the hostility shown by the Samaritans towards the Jewish exiles returning from captivity, as referenced in Nehemiah 4 and subsequent chapters. Others suggest a connection to the Maccabean revolt, based on passages in 1 Maccabees 5 and the majority view links it to King Jehoshaphat's confrontation with the allied armies of Idumeans, Moabites, and Ammonites, as described in 2 Chronicles 20. This last perspective appears to be the most compelling.

The Psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit through David, was entrusted to Asaph, the lead vocalist, to declare the prophetic truths it contains regarding the forthcoming trials faced by the Jewish people, particularly the faithful followers of Christ during various epochs, especially in the era of the Antichrist. The prophet, under divine guidance, earnestly entreats God, echoing the plea of the Holy Church amidst persecution (Theodoret). Malice is a demonic seduction that draws individuals towards idolatry and all forms of sin. Due to God’s forbearance, the adversaries became arrogant, leading to their brazen behavior. Anyone who opposes God's people and His saints wages war against Him, to whom they belong as servants and brethren.