Bible Reading Plan | December 30, 2021

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The writer of our Psalm for today has a host of problems. His enemies are plotting his destruction. Numerous nations are banding together to surround God’s people. And, compounding his problems, the Lord seems distant and silent. But, the Lord neither slumbers or sleeps. Even in the midst of our trials he is working to protect and deliver His people.

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Psalm 83

A song.

A psalm of Asaph.

1 O God, do not remain silent;

do not turn a deaf ear,

do not stand aloof, O God.

2 See how your enemies growl,

how your foes rear their heads.

3 With cunning they conspire against your people;

they plot against those you cherish.

4 “Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation,

so that Israel’s name is remembered no more.”

5 With one mind they plot together;

they form an alliance against you—

6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,

of Moab and the Hagrites,

7 Byblos, Ammon and Amalek,

Philistia, with the people of Tyre.

8 Even Assyria has joined them

to reinforce Lot’s descendants.

9 Do to them as you did to Midian,

as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon,

10 who perished at Endor

and became like dung on the ground.

11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,

all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,

12 who said, “Let us take possession

of the pasturelands of God.”

13 Make them like tumbleweed, my God,

like chaff before the wind.

14 As fire consumes the forest

or a flame sets the mountains ablaze,

15 so pursue them with your tempest

and terrify them with your storm.

16 Cover their faces with shame, Lord,

so that they will seek your name.

17 May they ever be ashamed and dismayed;

may they perish in disgrace.

18 Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord—

that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.

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