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Book of Psalms - Chapter 83 - Verse 1

83:1
A Song or Psalm of Asaph. Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.

Meaning

Asaph, the author of this particular psalm, is urgently pleading with God to not remain silent but instead to intervene and act on behalf of His people. Asaph is expressing a sense of desperation and urgency, seeking God's active presence and involvement in a challenging situation. The verse conveys a deep desire for God to break His silence and bring about justice, protection, and deliverance to those who are in need.

This verse reflects the common human experience of feeling abandoned or overlooked during times of trials and troubles. It serves as a reminder to believers to persistently seek God's presence and to continue to cry out to Him in times of need. The psalmist's cry for God to not hold His peace conveys a deep trust in God's ability to bring about change and to intervene on behalf of His people.

Overall, this verse serves as a powerful encouragement for believers to remain steadfast in their faith, to continue to seek God's presence, and to trust in His timing and plans. It is a reminder that God is always near, even in moments when it may feel like He is silent.

Theological Overview

Within this verse, the psalmist Asaph passionately cries out to God, imploring Him not to remain silent or still in the face of their troubles. The plea for God's active presence reveals the psalmist's deep longing for God's intervention and help. The use of the word "silence" emphasizes the need for God to speak or act, to break through any perceived distance or absence. By repeating the name of God twice in this verse, "O God," the psalmist underscores the importance of addressing the divine directly, calling upon God's sovereignty and authority. The urgency in the tone of the verse demonstrates the psalmist's urgency and desperation for divine attention and action. Through this prayerful cry, Asaph models a faith that seeks God's engagement and presence in the midst of adversity and challenges.

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