Psalm 83

W. van der Kamp, 1972; rev.

1. Do not keep silence, O my God;
   Be not unmoved, lift up Thy rod.
   For, lo, Thy foes prepare for fighting;
   They raise their heads, for war uniting.
   The flames of hatred they are fanning,
   The downfall of Thy loved ones planning.
   
2. They say, “Come let us wipe them out;
   Let Israel be put to rout.
   Burn down its towns to ash and ember;
   Let none that nation’s name remember.”
   With one accord they are conspiring,
   The fall of Israel desiring.
   
3. Yea, Edom and the Ishmaelites,
   The Hagarenes and Moabites,
   All the Philistines and the Tyrians
   Join Ammon’s tribe and the Assyrians.
   Gebal confers with Agag’s remnants;
   They all give aid to Lot’s descendants.
   
4. Treat them as Thou didst Midian,
   As Sisera, a fleeing man
   Slain by the woman he relied on,
   As Jabin’s army at the Kishon.
   His warriors, stripped of all their splendor,
   Are dung noon the fields of En Dor.
   
5. Bring Thou their nobles’ pride to nought,
   Like Midian’s kings, whom Gideon caught.
   The sword repaid them their transgression
   When they said, “Let us take possession
   Of God’s own green and fertile regions.”
   Destroy our foes and all their legions.
   
6. My God, make them like whirling dust,
   Like chaff before a sudden gust.
   As fire throughout the forest blazing,
   As flames the hills and mountains razing,
   So with Thy tempest, LORD, pursue them,
   With terrifying storms subdue them.
   
7. Fill Thou their faces, LORD, with shame,
   That they may seek Thy glorious Name;
   O cast them down, dismayed forever,
   And let them know that all endeavor
   Is vain, if not due praise is given
   To Thee, Most High in earth and heaven.