Psalms 83:12 - who said, “Let us take possession of God’s pasture lands.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Psalms 83:12" mean?
Psalm 83 is a lament and a prayer for God to intervene against a coalition of enemies plotting against Israel. Verse 12, which you quoted, is part of describing the arrogance and motivations of these enemies. Let's break down what it likely means:
"Who said...": This introduces the direct quote of what the enemies are saying. It highlights their intentions and the reason for the Psalmist's plea.
"Let us take possession...": This is a declaration of intent. They are planning a hostile takeover. The word "let us" indicates a coordinated effort among them.
"...of God's pasture lands.": This is the key to understanding the verse. "Pasture lands" is a figurative expression referring to the Promised Land, the land God had given to Israel. It's being called God's pasture lands in two ways:
God's gift: The land was considered a gift from God to His chosen people. Therefore, it belonged to Him in the sense that He was the ultimate giver.
God's people: The land was considered where God's people, the flock, lived. The shepherd, God, was the owner.
Therefore, the verse in context suggests that the enemies of Israel are motivated by:
Greed: They want to seize the land and resources for themselves.
Disregard for God: By claiming the land, they are essentially disregarding God's ownership and authority. They act as if they can simply take what belongs to Him.
Hostility toward Israel: This verse is the expression of a plot to harm and destroy the people and nation of Israel.
In essence, the verse reveals the enemies' intention to usurp God's sovereignty and dispossess His people. They are not just interested in territory; they are challenging God's authority. This makes their aggression all the more serious and explains why the Psalmist is so desperate for God's intervention.
Psalms 83:12 - who said, “Let us take possession of God’s pasture lands.”
What does "Psalms 83:12" mean?
Psalm 83 is a lament and a prayer for God to intervene against a coalition of enemies plotting against Israel. Verse 12, which you quoted, is part of describing the arrogance and motivations of these enemies. Let's break down what it likely means:
"Who said...": This introduces the direct quote of what the enemies are saying. It highlights their intentions and the reason for the Psalmist's plea.
"Let us take possession...": This is a declaration of intent. They are planning a hostile takeover. The word "let us" indicates a coordinated effort among them.
"...of God's pasture lands.": This is the key to understanding the verse. "Pasture lands" is a figurative expression referring to the Promised Land, the land God had given to Israel. It's being called God's pasture lands in two ways:
God's gift: The land was considered a gift from God to His chosen people. Therefore, it belonged to Him in the sense that He was the ultimate giver.
God's people: The land was considered where God's people, the flock, lived. The shepherd, God, was the owner.
Therefore, the verse in context suggests that the enemies of Israel are motivated by:
Greed: They want to seize the land and resources for themselves.
Disregard for God: By claiming the land, they are essentially disregarding God's ownership and authority. They act as if they can simply take what belongs to Him.
Hostility toward Israel: This verse is the expression of a plot to harm and destroy the people and nation of Israel.
In essence, the verse reveals the enemies' intention to usurp God's sovereignty and dispossess His people. They are not just interested in territory; they are challenging God's authority. This makes their aggression all the more serious and explains why the Psalmist is so desperate for God's intervention.