Psalms 83-86

Psalm 83 (of Asaph)
Prayer for Judgment on Israel's Foes

• 1-8 O God, do not hold your peace, for your enemies -- who hate you -- are plotting to overthrow your people.
• 9-12 Do to them as you did to Midian and Sisera; make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb (Judges 7:25), who wanted to possess your pastures.
• 13-18 Make them like dust, like chaff, like a forest consumed with fire; put them to shame; let them know you alone are the Most High over all the earth.

Psalm 84 (of the Korahites)
The Joy of Worship in the Temple

• 1-2 How lovely is your dwelling place; my soul longs for your courts
• 3-4 As a sparrow finds a home, happy are those who live in your house
• 5-7 Happy are those whose strength is in you; the dry land is a place of springs as they travel to Zion
• 8-9 Hear my prayer, O God, behold our shield
• 10-12 One day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere, for you are a sun and shield, withholding nothing from the upright. Happy is everyone who trusts in you.

Psalm 85 (of the Korahites)
Prayer for the Restoration of God's Favor

• 1-3 LORD, in the past you forgave your people.
• 4-7 Don't be angry forever; restore us again, revive us, show us your steadfast love and grant us your salvation.
• 8-9 Let me hear what God has to say. Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him.
• 10-11 Steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness and peace will come again.
• 12-13 God will give what is good; righteousness will go before him.

Note: I love the poetry here. The psalmist portrays spiritual attributes with physical manifestations: "Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky."

Psalm 86 (Prayer of David)
Supplication for Help against Enemies

• 1-7 Answer me in my neediness; preserve my life; be gracious to me; gladden my soul. For you are good, forgiving, abounding in steadfast love. Is David "buttering up" God, or just giving him his due, admitting his own weakness in the sight of God?
  
• 8-10 You are great, O LORD, like none other and above all others. You alone are God.
• 11-13 Teach me, give me an undivided heart, and I will thank and glorify your name forever, for you have delivered me.
• 14-17 A band of ruffians seeks my life, but you are merciful and gracious. Show me your favor, so those who hate me may be put to shame because of your help.