Psalms 83:9
“Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:”
Context: Psalm 83 is a lament or prayer for deliverance from enemies. It begins with the psalmist calling on God to not remain silent or idle when faced with those who are hostile to His people. The psalmist seeks God’s intervention and asks for His judgment against their enemies.
Verse 9 specifically refers to two historical incidents where God delivered His people from their enemies. Let’s look at these references:
The Midianites:The psalmist mentions the Midianites, who were a nomadic people descended from Abraham through his wife Keturah (Genesis 25:1-2). The conflict between the Israelites and the Midianites is described in the book of Numbers (Numbers 25-31). The Midianites had joined forces with the Moabites to curse and harm the Israelites. God commanded Moses to lead the Israelites in a war against the Midianites, and they were ultimately defeated by God’s power.
Sisera and Jabin:Sisera was a commander of the Canaanite army, and Jabin was the king of Canaan during the time of the Judges (Judges 4-5). The conflict between the Israelites under the leadership of Deborah and Barak and the Canaanites is recorded in the book of Judges. Sisera was defeated by the hand of a woman named Jael, who killed him while he was sleeping. This victory over Sisera and Jabin is celebrated in the Song of Deborah, found in Judges chapter 5.
In Psalm 83:9, the psalmist is invoking these past instances of God’s intervention and deliverance to beseech Him to deal with the current enemies of Israel in a similar manner. The psalmist is not seeking personal vengeance but is looking to God to act justly and defend His people against their adversaries.
Overall, Psalm 83:9 reminds us of God’s faithfulness and His history of intervening on behalf of His people when they face opposition. It encourages us to seek God’s help and deliverance when we are faced with challenges and enemies in our own lives, trusting in His power and justice.
