Psalms 83:12

“Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession?”

Context:Psalm 83 is attributed to Asaph, one of the chief musicians and poets appointed by David. It is a prayer for deliverance from enemies who were conjuring against the people of Israel. The psalmist expresses the distress and calls upon God to intervene on behalf of His people. In verse 12, the psalmist reports the words of the enemies who were plotting against Israel. They say, “Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.” This indicates the hostile intentions of these adversaries to seize the places of worship and holy sites belonging to the Israelites. The mention of “the houses of God” in this verse could refer to various locations, such as the tabernacle or later, the temple in Jerusalem. These were sacred spaces where the Israelites gathered to worship God and offer sacrifices. By expressing their desire to possess these houses of God, the enemies reveal their intention to disrupt and desecrate the worship of the Israelites. It’s important to note that this verse does not present a direct statement or command from God. Rather, it reflects the words and intentions of the enemies of Israel. The psalmist includes these words to highlight the threat and to seek God’s intervention against those who would seek to harm His people and defile His holy places. The broader context of Psalm 83 reveals the psalmist’s plea for God’s judgment and defeat of the enemies who conspire against Israel. The psalmist calls upon God to deal with them decisively and bring them to shame and destruction. The psalmist’s ultimate desire is for God’s name to be exalted and for His people to experience peace and security.