Lessons from Psalms 83 to 84

Psalms 83

This Psalm, written by Asaph, contains 18 verses and is a prayer for God’s intervention. Asaph calls on the Lord not to remain silent because the enemies of God have risen against His people. They’ve gathered together, plotting against the children of God, even against those hidden away. It’s strange to think that anyone would consider themselves an enemy of God. After all, how can anyone truly be an enemy of the One who holds ultimate power over life and death, who could destroy the entire human race in an instant if He so desired? Yet, there are those who choose to make themselves God's enemies. I pray that they come to know God’s truth and be brought to light.

Asaph continues by describing the enemies’ plans to cut off God’s people and erase Israel from existence. They have a deliberate, crafty plan to wipe them out. But Asaph prays for God to fight for them, to confuse and trouble these enemies, to bring them to shame, and to cause them to perish, so that they will know that God alone is sovereign and His name, Jehovah, is the Most High over all the earth.

This Psalm shows us the power of calling on God to fight on our behalf. Just as Asaph didn’t try to fight the battle himself but asked God to take it on, we should learn to hand over our battles to God. It’s important to trust Him to fight for us rather than trying to handle everything on our own.

Psalms 84

This Psalm was written by the sons of Korah, and we can learn more about them from passages in 2 Chronicles 20:19, Numbers 16:25-26, and Exodus 6:24.

The Psalm begins with an exaltation of God Almighty, expressing a deep longing and thirst for His courts. The writer's heart cries out to the living God, reflecting on how blessed it is to dwell in the house of God and to continually praise Him. The Psalmist continues by saying how blessed is the person whose strength is in God, and how their journey is strengthened as they go from strength to strength. The Psalm includes a plea to God to hear our prayers, recognizing that God is our shield and protector. The writer concludes by saying that one day in God’s courts is far better than a thousand elsewhere, and that they would rather be a doorkeeper in God’s house than dwell in the tents of the wicked. God is our sun and shield, giving us glory and withholding no good thing from those who walk uprightly. The Psalm ends with the affirmation that blessed is the one who trusts in God.

From this Psalm, I can gather that the sons of Korah had great faith in God. They knew how to approach Him—not just by presenting their needs but by exalting Him first, offering powerful praise, and then presenting their prayers. It’s a reminder for us to examine how we approach God. Do we only come to Him with requests, or do we first approach Him with praise and thanksgiving? Are we convinced that being in His presence is better than anything else we could experience? I pray that God will guide us to approach Him rightly, with hearts full of appreciation and trust in Jesus’ name. Amen.