Psalms 83:9-12
Do to them as you did to Midian, as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon, who were destroyed at En-dor, who became dung for the ground. Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, who said, “Let us take possession for ourselves of the pastures of God.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse isn't just a random list of past victories; it's a strategic plea. By invoking the devastating defeats of Midian and Sisera at the Kishon River, the psalmist is reminding God of His proven power to utterly dismantle His people's enemies. This isn't just asking for help, but asking God to act like Himself by repeating His past glorious interventions.
The psalmist is calling out a coalition of nations who have banded together against God's people, plotting their destruction. In this verse, the plea turns to a powerful remembrance of God's past victories, specifically recalling the decisive defeats of the Midianites by Gideon and of Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon, urging God to act similarly against the current enemies. This historical grounding serves to remind both the psalmist and the listener that God has a track record of intervening dramatically to save His people from overwhelming odds.
Understand the original words
šā-maḏ · Hebrew Verb
To bring to nothing, to annihilate, or to ruin; used in reference to God’s judgment upon the wicked or enemies of His people.
dō-men · Hebrew Noun
Refuse or excrement; used here metaphorically to describe the complete humiliation, worthlessness, and ignominious end of those who opposed God.
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nadib · Hebrew Noun
A term referring to leaders of high rank or social status; in this context, it denotes the powerful figures opposing God's people.
nasik · Hebrew Noun
A title for individuals in positions of authority or leadership over a group or nation; here it refers to the enemies of Israel.
yarash · Hebrew Verb
The act of laying claim to property or territory, often implying forceful appropriation or the desire to own what has been designated for another purpose.
na'aveh elohim · Hebrew Noun
The dwelling place or habitation of God; used here to refer to the land of Israel which God gave to His covenant people.
This psalm draws on two pivotal, ancient victories where God dramatically intervened to save Israel. By referencing the defeats of the Midianites under Gideon and Sisera and King Jabin under Deborah and Barak, the psalmist invokes a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and ability to deliver His people from overwhelming odds.
c. 1200 BC— this verse
Deborah and Barak defeat Jabin and Sisera
The Israelite forces, led by Deborah and Barak, decisively defeat the army of Canaanite King Jabin and his general Sisera near the Kishon River. Sisera is later killed by Jael.
c. 1100 BC
Gideon defeats the Midianites
Gideon and his small army of 300 men miraculously defeat the vast Midianite army through divine intervention and clever tactics, leading to the Midianites turning on each other.
c. 9th century BC
Prophets allude to these victories
Prophets like Isaiah reference the victories over Midian and Sisera as powerful examples of God's intervention on behalf of Israel.
This passage details Gideon's miraculous victory over the Midianites with a small force, mirroring the plea in Psalm 83 for God to bring a similarly decisive defeat upon His enemies.
Judges 4:12-16It describes the defeat of Sisera and Jabin's armies by Barak and Deborah near the river Kishon, directly referenced in the Psalm as an example of God's past deliverance.
2 Chronicles 20:15-24This account shows God granting victory to Judah against a massive invading force through internal strife among the enemy, echoing the prayer for God's decisive intervention as seen in the Midianite and Canaanite battles.
Isaiah 9:4The prophet Isaiah recalls the victory over Midian to illustrate God's power to break the yoke of oppression, reinforcing the theme of divine intervention and deliverance invoked in the Psalm.
Habakkuk 3:7-12Habakkuk references historical deliverances, including the waters overwhelming enemies, which brings to mind the victory at the river Kishon and highlights God's mighty acts against His adversaries.
clarkePsalms 83:9: "Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:"
Do unto them as unto the Midianites - Who were utterly defeated by Gideon, Judges 7:21 , Judges 7:22 . As to Sisera - Captain of the army of Jabin, king of Canaan, who was totally defeated by Deborah and Barak, near Mount Tabor, by the river Kishon; and himself, after having fled from the battle, slain by Jael, the wife of Heber, the Kenite. See Judges 4:15, etc.
ellicottPsalms 83:9: "Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:"
(9-12) For the historical allusion see references in margin. The splendid victories of Barak and Gideon were the constant theme of poets and prophets when trying to encourage their own generation by the examples of the past. (See Isaiah 9:4 ; Isaiah 10:26 ; Habakkuk 3:7 .)
The verse isn't just a random list of past victories; it's a strategic plea. By invoking the devastating defeats of Midian and Sisera at the Kishon River, the psalmist is reminding God of His proven power to utterly dismantle His people's enemies. This isn't just asking for help, but asking God to act like Himself by repeating His past glorious interventions.
The psalmist is calling out a coalition of nations who have banded together against God's people, plotting their destruction. In this verse, the plea turns to a powerful remembrance of God's past victories, specifically recalling the decisive defeats of the Midianites by Gideon and of Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon, urging God to act similarly against the current enemies. This historical grounding serves to remind both the psalmist and the listener that God has a track record of intervening dramatically to save His people from overwhelming odds.
The psalmist is calling out a coalition of nations who have banded together against God's people, plotting their destruction. In this verse, the plea turns to a powerful remembrance of God's past victories, specifically recalling the decisive defeats of the Midianites by Gideon and of Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon, urging God to act similarly against the current enemies. This historical grounding serves to remind both the psalmist and the listener that God has a track record of intervening dramatically to save His people from overwhelming odds.
"Do to them as you did to Midian, as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon, who were destroyed at En-dor, who became dung for the ground. Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmu…" — The verse isn't just a random list of past victories; it's a strategic plea. By invoking the devastating defeats of Midian and Sisera at the Kishon River, the psalmist is reminding God of His proven…
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