Psalm 83 (82):5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

There exists no generation, for they constitute the people of God. "And the name of Israel shall be remembered no more." They shall not recall Him who perceives God in His mind. This is a different understanding. I behold something new. There are numerous heretics and a wide array of doctrines, leading each to establish their own beliefs, and these individuals hold nothing but animosity toward us. Just as Herod and Pilate, though adversaries, collaborated against Christ. Their alliance proved to be more detrimental than animosity. Similarly, those who are wickedly divided, unite in an even more egregious manner.

They desire to unleash the ultimate ruin and erasure of the infamous Israel. The prophet then lists the surrounding nations that have summoned them, along with others that have assembled.

The aim of the aforementioned gathering of adversaries was to eradicate the Jews from among the nations or to render those who once formed a people into a group without identity. The phrase: δυ μημνησθη signifies that the identity of the Jewish people should be forgotten, meaning they would no longer be acknowledged as Jews, as they would cease to exist as a people. Origen notes that the enemies of God desire that there be no community of God’s followers among humanity. Yet, the Lord, who continually establishes a people for Himself on earth, even after the downfall of the first nation (His own), has formed a church from the Gentiles—a new and unique assembly across the entire world.

It is evident that these statements are made and actions undertaken by the adversaries of Israel, who will be identified subsequently. However, one must also recognize those who instigate and encourage wrongdoing; these individuals aim to eradicate our presence among the nations, seeking to ensure that our name is omitted from the lawless, as we sin by possessing the law, and from the disobedient, as we violate the law. Their goal is to obliterate the name of Israel. The term Israel signifies one who beholds God, and if a person fails to act in ways befitting one who perceives God and redirects their spiritual vision toward Him, they are, by nature, relegated to complete forgetfulness. Consequently, it would be impossible to casually recall whether there ever existed an Israel that truly saw with spiritual insight, meaning it would be unfeasible to know God.

This situation intensifies the hostility of their adversaries, who aim to eliminate the Church of God entirely. While this can specifically be attributed to the Moabites and Ammonites as the primary instigators of the conflict, it is also relevant to mention that the Hagarites, Syrians, and other nations, driven by their influence, armed themselves with equal zeal to annihilate God's people. Thus, it is appropriate to extend this reference to all who, in collusion with one another, sought to bring about the destruction of the kingdom of Judah time and again, rallying one another in their efforts. The root cause of this intense animosity lies in Satan's relentless ambition to undermine the Church of God, prompting him to incite all his agents towards this end.

The Psalm, inspired by the Holy Spirit through David, was entrusted to Asaph, the leader of the singers, to declare the prophetic message it contains regarding the impending trials faced by the Jewish people, particularly the faithful followers of Christ through different eras, culminating in the time of the Antichrist. In this context, the prophet earnestly appeals to God, reflecting the prayers of the Holy Church amidst persecution (Theodoret). Wickedness is a demonic allure that leads individuals into idolatry and sin. Due to God's forbearance, the adversaries grew arrogant and boisterous, manifesting their insolence. Anyone who opposes God’s people and His holy ones is, in effect, waging war against Him, whose subjects and kin they are.