Psalm 83 Prophecy - The Basics.

The headlines are blanketed with warnings of the pending World War III, and I think that according to the “experts,” it supposedly started about 15 times over the past year. Nevertheless, we are seeing critical scriptures in Matthew Chapter 24 being played these days. Secondly, end-time experts speak a lot about the Gog-Magog war of Ezekiel 38–39. This prophecy predicts a powerful confederacy, apparently led by Russia and backed by a nine-nation coalition, that is destined to invade Israel someday. Some think that its fulfillment is even knocking at our door based on the current situation in Israel.

But a lesser-known prophecy gaining exponential momentum and importance for our day is the Psalm 83 prophecy, in which a different confederacy attempts to wipe out Israel and destroy the Abrahamic Covenant.

This psalm seems to be addressing current issues in the Middle East—nations conspiring to destroy Israel. Could this be it? Many of the players are joining in against Israel, so the coalition is forming rapidly on all fronts. So, today, I just wanted to address some basic factoids regarding this prophecy, what it says, who the players are, and what the outcome. So, let’s jump right in.

Asaph’s Vision of a Future War

“O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God. See how your enemies growl, how your foes rear their heads.” (Psalm 83:1–2)

Psalm 83 is more than a prayer or a plea to God for vengeance on Israel’s enemies; it reveals that a 10-member confederacy wants to destroy the Chosen People and possess the Promised Land.

This psalm, however, was not written during a time of war. It was written some 3,000 years ago by King David’s worship leader, Asaph, during a time of great prosperity, liberty, and peace. King David had decisively triumphed over Israel’s enemies, and Israel could expand freely since the superpowers of Egypt and Assyria were both declining.

David’s kingdom, therefore, extended from the Red Sea to the Euphrates.

But Asaph was not just a worshiper; according to 2 Chronicles 29:30, he was also a Chozeh (seer or prophet). As a prophet, Asaph saw beyond this period of peace to a time when this confederacy would seek the utter destruction of Israel. That time now seems to be upon us.

“Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.” (Psalm 83:4)

Even though Asaph’s vision was received in a time of peace, it must have been cause for some concern since many named in the confederacy had previously demonstrated their hatred. Of course, even today, conspiring against the Jewish People is considered nothing new. From the Philistines to the Nazis, the Jewish People have been plotted against repeatedly. Jewish hatred is on the rise worldwide, even here in the United States.

The ten-member coalition of Psalm 83 forms a covenant or confederacy with each other against not only the nation of Israel but the God of Israel. The coalition is not satisfied to destroy Israel as a nation; they want to wipe out the memory of the name of Israel, in effect, breaking the Abrahamic Covenant.

The Ten-Member Coalition

While Israel’s many enemies have wanted to destroy the nation of Israel and the Jewish People, Asaph specifically identifies ten countries/groups that unite to form a coalition for this very purpose:

“With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you—the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, Byblos [Gebal], Ammon and Amalek, Philistia, with the people of Tyre. Even Assyria has joined them to reinforce Lot’s descendants.” (Psalm 83:5–8)

While these groups are no longer identifiable by their ancient names, Bill Salus, author of Israelistine and Psalm 83: The Missing Prophecy Revealed, ascertains the modern-day equivalents/descendants of these coalition members as the following:

1. Tents of Edom: Palestinians and Southern Jordanians

2. Ishmaelites: Saudis (Ishmael is the father of the Arabs)

3. Moab: Palestinians and Central Jordanians

4. Hagrites: Egyptians and Northern Jordanians (Hagar is the matriarch of Egypt)

5. Gebal (Byblos): Hezbollah and Northern Lebanese

6. Ammon: Palestinians and Northern Jordanians

7. Amalek: Arabs of the Sinai area

8. Philistia: Hamas of the Gaza Strip

9. Tyre: Hezbollah and Southern Lebanese

10. Assyria: Syrians and Northern Iraqis

The Prophet Appeals for Victory

In Psalm 83, the prophet Asaph appeals to God, asking Him to make the coalition members perish in disgrace (Psalm 83:9–18).

In fact, Obadiah, Ezekiel 25–27, 37:10, and Jeremiah 49:1–6 prophesy that these coalition members will indeed perish and be cursed as Genesis 12:3 predicts:

“I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

These prophetic verses seem to refer to Israel’s victory in Psalm 83. A resulting sense of regional security may make Israel ripe for the battle of Ezekiel 38—the invasion of a nine-member coalition whose leaders say,

“I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will fall upon the quiet people who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having no bars or gates, to seize spoil and carry off plunder…” (Ezekiel 38:11–12)

Therefore, many believe the war in Psalm 83 is ramping up now, just before the invasion of Ezekiel 38.

In fact, none of the ten coalition members of Psalm 83 are mentioned in Ezekiel 38, though the book of Ezekiel mentions them elsewhere. Still, Psalm 83 reminds us that we must keep a watchful eye on the Middle East and pray for the peace of Jerusalem, as well as diligently study God’s Word. Be watchful. Be prepared!

As we watch, pray, and study, God will give us wisdom as events unfold and the pieces of this prophetic puzzle come into place. We are seeing Biblical prophecy play out before our very eyes.

Michael