John Calvin Commentary Psalms 83:2

"For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult; And they that hate thee have lifted up the head." — Psalms 83:2 (ASV)

For, behold! your enemies are tumultuous. As an argument for enforcing the prayer of the preceding verse, it is affirmed that the faithful are oppressed both by the impetuous violence and the crafty policy of their enemies, which, to all human appearance, rendered their escape from death utterly hopeless. When it is said that they are tumultuous and lift up the head, the meaning is that, relying upon their own power, they behave insolently and proudly. Because of this conduct by their enemies, the minds of God’s people are greatly depressed, and the only way they can obtain relief is by making their complaint to Him whose continual work it is to repress the proud. Therefore, when the saints implore His aid, it is their usual practice to lay before Him the perverseness of their enemies. It is worthy of notice that those who molest the Church are called the enemies of God.

It gives us considerable confidence that those who are our enemies are also God’s enemies. This is one of the fruits of His free and gracious covenant, in which He has promised to be an enemy to all our enemies—a promise for which there is good reason, when it is considered that the welfare of His people, whom He has taken under His protection, cannot be assailed without an injury also being done to His own majesty.

Meanwhile, let us live at peace with all people, as much as it is possible for us, and let us endeavor to practice uprightness in our entire conduct, so that we may be able confidently to appeal to God that when we suffer at the hands of others, we suffer wrongfully. The pride and violent assaults of our enemies may be combined with craftiness.

But when this is the case, it is fitting for us to give God the honor that belongs to Him, by trusting that He can help us. For breaking the proud who foam out their rage, and catching the crafty in their own craftiness, is work He has customarily performed throughout all ages.

To keep us from thinking that we are abandoned to the snares and traps of our enemies, the prophet here timely presents us with a thought designed to offer the greatest comfort and hope, when he calls us God’s hidden ones. Some understand this expression to mean that the aid and protection God gives us is not apparent to human senses or reason, just as it is said elsewhere of the life of God’s people, that it is hid (Colossians 3:3). But this interpretation is too strained and completely inconsistent with both the context of the passage and the natural meaning of the words.

Their purpose is simply to teach that we are hidden under the shadow of God’s wings. For although outwardly we seem vulnerable and exposed to the will of the wicked and the proud, we are preserved by the hidden power of God. Accordingly, it is said in another Psalm (Psalms 27:5):

In the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret of His tabernacle He shall hide me (Psalms 27:5).

However, it should also be noted that none are hidden under God’s care and protection except those who, renouncing all reliance on their own strength, turn to Him with fear and trembling. Those who, under the influence of a deceptive belief in their own sufficient strength to resist, boldly enter the conflict and, as if devoid of all fear, become reckless, will ultimately suffer the consequences of their inadequate resources. We will then best ensure our own safety by taking shelter under the shadow of the Almighty and, conscious of our own weakness, committing our salvation to Him, casting it, so to speak, into His bosom.