God decisively humbles those who oppose His people and reveals His sovereignty over all.
The psalmist describes the fate of Israel’s enemies when he writes, “They were destroyed at En-dor, Who became as dung for the ground” (v.10). En-dor was a location in the Jezreel Valley of northern Israel, not far from the hill of Moreh. This area appears in other biblical accounts, such as when King Saul sought a medium in En-dor (1 Samuel 28:7). By referencing this place, the psalmist evokes a memory of decisive defeat, where God’s power was displayed in defending His people. The enemies mentioned here become “as dung,” signifying both the finality of their destruction and the unclean nature of their rebellion before God.
In the broader flow of Psalm 83, the writer is calling upon God to deal with Israel’s enemies just as He did in battles of the past. When “They were destroyed at En-dor” (v.10), it highlights a familiar pattern in Israel’s history: God remains faithful to uphold His covenant people in the midst of oppression. This situation mirrors numerous accounts throughout the Old Testament in which God topples proud nations so that His justice and faithfulness are made clear (e.g., Exodus 14:13-14). While these opponents may have gathered in large numbers, their ultimate end underscores that no force can stand against the will of the Lord.
For believers today, this verse can remind us that God’s judgment and protection are woven through His plan of redemption. Just as the enemies “became as dung for the ground” (v.10) in the face of divine resistance, so too will every foe be brought low under the authority of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18). The psalmist’s words keep God’s power front and center, encouraging us to rely on Him rather than any human defense, trusting that His purposes will ultimately triumph.
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Psalms 83:10 meaning
The psalmist describes the fate of Israel’s enemies when he writes, “They were destroyed at En-dor, Who became as dung for the ground” (v.10). En-dor was a location in the Jezreel Valley of northern Israel, not far from the hill of Moreh. This area appears in other biblical accounts, such as when King Saul sought a medium in En-dor (1 Samuel 28:7). By referencing this place, the psalmist evokes a memory of decisive defeat, where God’s power was displayed in defending His people. The enemies mentioned here become “as dung,” signifying both the finality of their destruction and the unclean nature of their rebellion before God.
In the broader flow of Psalm 83, the writer is calling upon God to deal with Israel’s enemies just as He did in battles of the past. When “They were destroyed at En-dor” (v.10), it highlights a familiar pattern in Israel’s history: God remains faithful to uphold His covenant people in the midst of oppression. This situation mirrors numerous accounts throughout the Old Testament in which God topples proud nations so that His justice and faithfulness are made clear (e.g., Exodus 14:13-14). While these opponents may have gathered in large numbers, their ultimate end underscores that no force can stand against the will of the Lord.
For believers today, this verse can remind us that God’s judgment and protection are woven through His plan of redemption. Just as the enemies “became as dung for the ground” (v.10) in the face of divine resistance, so too will every foe be brought low under the authority of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18). The psalmist’s words keep God’s power front and center, encouraging us to rely on Him rather than any human defense, trusting that His purposes will ultimately triumph.