The Meaning of Psalms 83:9 Explained

Psalms 83:9

KJV: Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:

YLT: Do to them as to Midian, As to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the stream Kishon.

Darby: Do unto them as to Midian; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the torrent of Kishon:

ASV: Do thou unto them as unto Midian, As to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the river Kishon;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Do  unto them as [unto] the Midianites;  as [to] Sisera,  as [to] Jabin,  at the brook  of Kison: 

What does Psalms 83:9 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalm 83:1-18 - "the Most High Over All The Earth"
This psalm was composed on the occasion described in 2 Chronicles 20:1-37, where we learn that at a great crisis the Spirit of God came on Jahaziel, one of the sons of Asaph, Psalms 83:14. It was written to be sung before the battle, in anticipation of certain victory. The Levites chanted it, with a loud voice on high, as Jehoshaphat's army marched out against the great confederacy of nations, which threatened the very existence of Israel. There were strong reasons for God's interposition, for Israel's foes were God's foes also. It was His people that were the target of this crafty conspiracy. Were they not His hidden ones, Psalms 83:3? Should a hostile world pluck them from the hollow of His hand? When our life is "hid with Christ in God," we may confidently appeal for His safe-keeping.
The fate here imprecated savors of Moses rather than of Jesus Christ, Psalms 83:9-18. Our Lord's way is to seek the conversion of the heathen. At the same time it may at least be urged that Israel did not pray thus to gratify a personal vindictiveness, but that the great world of men might know God to be Jehovah. Out of the mighty convulsions that sweep across society, we know that the coming of the divine Kingdom is somehow being prepared. God can make even the wrath of man to praise Him, Psalms 76:10. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 83

1  A complaint to God of the enemies conspiracies
9  A prayer against those who oppress the Church

What do the individual words in Psalms 83:9 mean?

Deal with them as [with] Midian as [with] Sisera as [with] Jabin at the Brook Kishon
עֲשֵֽׂה־ לָהֶ֥ם כְּמִדְיָ֑ן כְּֽסִֽיסְרָ֥א כְ֝יָבִ֗ין בְּנַ֣חַל קִישֽׁוֹן

עֲשֵֽׂה־  Deal 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
לָהֶ֥ם  with  them 
Parse: Preposition-l, Pronoun, third person masculine plural
Root: הֵם 
Sense: they, these, the same, who.
כְּמִדְיָ֑ן  as  [with]  Midian 
Parse: Preposition-k, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִדְיָן  
Sense: son of Abraham by Keturah and progenitor of the tribe of Midianites or Arabians.
כְּֽסִֽיסְרָ֥א  as  [with]  Sisera 
Parse: Preposition-k, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: סִיסְרָא  
Sense: the conquering general under king Jabin of Hazor and slain by Jael.
כְ֝יָבִ֗ין  as  [with]  Jabin 
Parse: Preposition-k, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יָבִין  
Sense: a king of Hazor who organised a confederacy of the northern princes against Joshua; confederacy routed by the waters of Merom.
בְּנַ֣חַל  at  the  Brook 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: נַחַל 
Sense: torrent, valley, wadi, torrent-valley.
קִישֽׁוֹן  Kishon 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: קִישֹׁון  
Sense: a river in central Palestine; scene of the defeat of Sisera by the Israelites in the time of the judges and the destruction of the prophets of Baal by Elijah.