Psalm 83 1

Psalm 83:1 kjv

Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.

Psalm 83:1 nkjv

A Song. A Psalm of Asaph. Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God!

Psalm 83:1 niv

A song. A psalm of Asaph. O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God.

Psalm 83:1 esv

O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God!

Psalm 83:1 nlt

O God, do not be silent!
Do not be deaf.
Do not be quiet, O God.

Psalm 83 verses

Psalm 83 1 Meaning

Psalm 83:1 is a desperate and fervent prayer of a nation facing imminent destruction, imploring God to intervene decisively. It is an urgent plea for the Almighty to break His perceived silence, to listen intently to their distress and the boasts of their enemies, and to act without delay. The Psalmist does not question God's power or presence, but rather passionately appeals for God to manifest His activity and demonstrate His sovereignty in the face of a severe threat to His people.

Psalm 83 1 Context

Psalm 83 is a communal lament from the collection of "Psalms of Asaph," likely a prayer composed during a time when the nation of Israel faced an overwhelming military threat. The psalm vividly describes a coalition of ten surrounding nations that have conspired to eradicate Israel's existence and blot out its memory from the earth (vv. 4-8). Verse 1, therefore, serves as the impassioned opening of this desperate appeal. It sets the tone for a prayer that first cries out in distress and then calls upon God to utterly defeat the enemies, thus magnifying His name and demonstrating His supreme sovereignty over all nations (vv. 9-18). While its precise historical setting is debated, a common proposal points to the time of King Jehosaphat, as recounted in 2 Chronicles 20, where a similar formidable alliance confronted Judah.

Psalm 83 1 Word analysis

• O God: The Hebrew word here is אֱלֹהִים (Elohim), a general but potent plural noun for God, emphasizing His divine majesty, creative power, and universal rule. It underscores that the plea is directed to the supreme, all-encompassing deity, the only One capable of true intervention.
• do not remain silent: Hebrew אַל־דְּמִי לָךְ (al-dĕmiy lāk). dĕmiy means "silence" or "rest." The imperative al- (do not) makes this a strong prohibition. It's a plea for God to break His quietude, to speak, to pronounce judgment or salvation, to vocally manifest His presence rather than remaining in what seems like passive observation.
• do not be deaf: Hebrew אַל־תֶּחֱרַשׁ (al-teḥěraš). ḥěraš signifies "to be deaf" or "to be silent." This intensifies the previous plea by focusing on God's attentiveness. The psalmist wants God to not only speak but also to demonstrate He has heard their cries and is aware of the enemy's boasts and plans. It is an appeal for receptive listening leading to action.
• do not be still: Hebrew וְאַל־תִּשְׁקֹט (wĕ'al-tišqōṭ). šāqaṭ means "to be quiet," "at rest," or "inactive." The preceding wĕ ("and") connects it to the previous commands. This moves the plea beyond sound to action. It is a fervent request for God to cease any perceived idleness or passivity and to decisively intervene, actively displaying His power to protect and save.
• O God: The Hebrew here is אֵל ('El), another divine name often highlighting God's strength, might, and preeminence. Its repetition within the same verse, following Elohim, reinforces the earnestness and desperation of the plea, emphasizing that only the Omnipotent One can address their dire situation.
• "O God...O God" (framing the plea): The use of two different divine names, Elohim at the beginning and El at the end, highlights the totality of God's being (Creator and Mighty One) being invoked. This double invocation stresses the profound earnestness of the prayer and the utter dependence of the petitioner on God's omnipotence and universal authority.
• "do not remain silent; do not be deaf; do not be still" (the triadic plea): This escalating series of negative commands forms a powerful crescendo. It moves from a desire for God to speak, to a desire for Him to listen and hear, and finally to a desperate cry for Him to act decisively. This threefold negation emphasizes the dire perception of divine inaction and expresses the fervent longing for God to become tangibly and visibly involved in their crisis, transitioning from apparent neutrality to decisive intervention. It highlights the full scope of God's desired engagement: verbal, audial, and active.

Psalm 83 1 Bonus section

• The anthropomorphic language ("silent," "deaf," "still") should be understood phenomenologically, reflecting the psalmist's deeply felt human experience, not literal limitations of God. The Bible affirms God is always omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent, fully aware of all things, yet prayer invites His responsive action within the realm of human experience.
• This verse captures a universal spiritual challenge: maintaining faith and calling out to God even when His intervention seems delayed or absent, and evil appears to triumph unchecked. It serves as a powerful model for wrestling with God in prayer when circumstances suggest He is aloof.
• Historically and theologically, the appeal for God's intervention is always tied to His glory and name. The core motivation is not merely the nation's survival, but the preservation of God's reputation in the eyes of the nations, ensuring they know "that You alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth" (Psa 83:18). This first verse sets up that ultimate goal.

Psalm 83 1 Commentary

Psalm 83:1 represents a classic expression of spiritual agony common in biblical laments. It is not a questioning of God's power or ultimate sovereignty, but rather a direct, passionate appeal arising from the profound distress of experiencing God's seeming silence or delay in intervention amidst a dire threat. The repetition and intensification of the pleas — "do not be silent," "do not be deaf," "do not be still" — reflect a desperate human experience of vulnerability, where God's perceived passivity is agonizing in the face of imminent destruction. The psalmist implores God, the inherently active and aware Creator, to manifest His power and righteousness publicly. This verse reminds believers that fervent prayer is a legitimate response to overwhelming adversity, acknowledging God's unique position as the ultimate defender and the one whose inaction, if prolonged, seems inconsistent with His covenant nature. It sets the stage for a bold prayer that does not shrink from calling on God to unleash His righteous judgment against the wicked, for His glory and His people's salvation.