What does Psalms 83:2 mean?

"For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head." - Psalms 83:2

"For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head." - Psalms 83:2

Psalms 83:2 in the King James Version reads, "For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head."

This verse is a part of a psalm attributed to Asaph, the leader of the choir during King David's reign. The psalm is a cry for God's intervention in the face of overwhelming adversity. In this particular verse, the psalmist is describing the actions of the enemies of God and His people. The language used here is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of chaos and opposition.

The verse begins with the word "For," indicating that it is providing a reason or justification for the plea that follows. The psalmist is drawing attention to the actions of the enemies of God, using the word "lo" to emphasize the gravity of the situation. The enemies are described as making a tumult, which suggests a great uproar or commotion. This is not a passive opposition, but an active and aggressive one. The enemies are not content to simply oppose God and His people; they are actively causing chaos and disorder.

The second part of the verse describes the attitude of the enemies towards God. They are said to "hate" Him and have "lifted up the head." This phrase is a metaphor for pride and arrogance. The enemies of God are not only actively working against Him, but they are doing so with an attitude of defiance and haughtiness. They are not ashamed of their opposition to God; in fact, they are proud of it.

The themes present in this verse are ones that are common throughout the Psalms and the Bible as a whole. The idea of enemies of God and His people is a recurring theme, as is the plea for deliverance and justice in the face of opposition. The imagery of tumult and prideful hatred is used to evoke a sense of urgency and desperation, as the psalmist cries out to God for help.

In the context of the larger psalm, this verse is part of a prayer for God's intervention in a time of great crisis. The psalmist is calling on God to act on behalf of His people and to bring about justice and deliverance in the face of overwhelming opposition. The vivid language used in this verse serves to emphasize the seriousness of the situation and the urgent need for God's intervention.

Symbolically, this verse can be seen as representing the ongoing struggle between good and evil, light and darkness. The enemies of God can be seen as symbolic of all those who oppose Him and seek to undermine His work in the world. Their tumult and prideful defiance represent the forces of chaos and pride that stand in opposition to God's order and humility.

Overall, Psalms 83:2 is a powerful and evocative verse that captures the desperate plea of the psalmist for God's intervention in the face of overwhelming opposition. The vivid language and imagery used in this verse serve to emphasize the urgency and seriousness of the situation, while also presenting a timeless and universal theme of the ongoing struggle between good and evil.

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Psalms 83:2 Artwork

Psalms 83:2 - "For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head." The image should not depict explicit or offensive content but be symbolic.

Psalms 83:2 - "For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head." The image should not depict explicit or offensive content but be symbolic.

"For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head." - Psalms 83:2

"For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head." - Psalms 83:2

"Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;" - Psalms 83:7

"Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;" - Psalms 83:7

"As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;" - Psalms 83:14

"As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;" - Psalms 83:14

Psalms 83:7 - "Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;"

Psalms 83:7 - "Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;"

Psalms 83:6 - "The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;"

Psalms 83:6 - "The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;"

Psalms 83:10 - "Which perished at En-dor: they became as dung for the earth."

Psalms 83:10 - "Which perished at En-dor: they became as dung for the earth."

Psalms 83:5 - "For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:"

Psalms 83:5 - "For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:"

Psalms 83:14 - "As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;"

Psalms 83:14 - "As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;"

Psalms 83:8 - "Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah."

Psalms 83:8 - "Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah."

"Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:" - Psalms 83:9

"Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:" - Psalms 83:9

Psalms 83:13 - "O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind."

Psalms 83:13 - "O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind."

Psalms 83:16 - "Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD."

Psalms 83:16 - "Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD."

Psalms 83:9 - "Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:"

Psalms 83:9 - "Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:"

Psalms 83:12 - "Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession."

Psalms 83:12 - "Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession."

Psalms 83:11 - "Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:"

Psalms 83:11 - "Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:"

Psalms 83:17 - "Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:"

Psalms 83:17 - "Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:"

"O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind." - Psalms 83:13

"O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind." - Psalms 83:13

"The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;" - Psalms 83:6

"The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;" - Psalms 83:6

Psalms 83:15 - "So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm."

Psalms 83:15 - "So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm."

Psalms 83:3 - "They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones."

Psalms 83:3 - "They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones."

Psalms 83:1 - "Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God."

Psalms 83:1 - "Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God."

"Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God." - Psalms 83:1

"Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God." - Psalms 83:1

"Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:" - Psalms 83:11

"Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:" - Psalms 83:11

Psalms 119:83 - "For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes."

Psalms 119:83 - "For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes."

Psalms 83:18 - "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth."

Psalms 83:18 - "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth."

"Which perished at En-dor: they became as dung for the earth." - Psalms 83:10

"Which perished at En-dor: they became as dung for the earth." - Psalms 83:10

Psalms 83:4 - "They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance."

Psalms 83:4 - "They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance."

"For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:" - Psalms 83:5

"For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:" - Psalms 83:5

"Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah." - Psalms 83:8

"Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah." - Psalms 83:8