Psalm 83:12
New International Version
who said, “Let us take possession of the pasturelands of God.”

New Living Translation
for they said, “Let us seize for our own use these pasturelands of God!”

English Standard Version
who said, “Let us take possession for ourselves of the pastures of God.”

Berean Standard Bible
who said, “Let us possess for ourselves the pastures of God.”

Berean Literal Bible
who said, “Let us possess for ourselves the pastures of God.”

King James Bible
Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.

New King James Version
Who said, “Let us take for ourselves The pastures of God for a possession.”

New American Standard Bible
Who said, “Let’s possess for ourselves The pastures of God.”

NASB 1995
Who said, “Let us possess for ourselves The pastures of God.”

NASB 1977
Who said, “Let us possess for ourselves The pastures of God.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Who said, “Let us possess for ourselves The pastures of God.”

Amplified Bible
Who said, “Let us possess for ourselves The pastures of God.”

Berean Annotated Bible
who said, “Let us possess for ourselves the pastures of God {Elohim}.

Christian Standard Bible
who said, “Let’s seize God’s pastures for ourselves.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
who said, “Let us seize God’s pastures for ourselves.”

American Standard Version
Who said, Let us take to ourselves in possession The habitations of God.

Contemporary English Version
All of them said, "We'll take God's valuable land!"

English Revised Version
Who said, Let us take to ourselves in possession the habitations of God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They said, "Let's take God's pasturelands for ourselves."

Good News Translation
who said, "We will take for our own the land that belongs to God."

International Standard Version
who said, "Let us possess the pastures of God."

NET Bible
who said, "Let's take over the pastures of God!"

New Heart English Bible
who said, "Let us take possession of God's pasturelands."

Webster's Bible Translation
Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
who said, “Let us possess for ourselves the pastures of God.”

World English Bible
who said, “Let’s take possession of God’s pasture lands.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Who have said, “Let us occupy the pastures of God for ourselves.”

Berean Literal Bible
who said, “Let us possess for ourselves the pastures of God.”

Young's Literal Translation
Who have said, 'Let us occupy for ourselves The comely places of God.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Who said, We will inherit for us the dwellings of God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
who have said: Let us possess the sanctuary of God for an inheritance.

Catholic Public Domain Version
who said, “Let us possess the Sanctuary of God for an inheritance.”

New American Bible
Who made a plan together, “Let us take for ourselves the pastures of God.”

New Revised Standard Version
who said, “Let us take the pastures of God for our own possession.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For they said, Let us inherit for ourselves the city of God.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
They said, "We will inherit for us The City of God.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Who said: 'Let us take to ourselves in possession The habitations of God.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
who said, let us take to ourselves the altar of God as an inheritance.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Do Not Be Still, O God
11Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, and all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, 12who said, “Let us possess for ourselves the pastures of God.” 13Make them like tumbleweed, O my God, like chaff before the wind.…

Cross References
who said,

Psalm 2:1-3
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: / “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.”

Proverbs 1:11
If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause,

Exodus 1:10
Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.”
“Let us possess for ourselves

Numbers 13:30
Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We must go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly conquer it!”

Ezekiel 36:5
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Surely in My burning zeal I have spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom, who took My land as their own possession with wholehearted joy and utter contempt, so that its pastureland became plunder.

Joel 3:2
I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning My people, My inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations as they divided up My land.
the pastures of God.”

Psalm 74:1
A Maskil of Asaph. Why have You rejected us forever, O God? Why does Your anger smolder against the sheep of Your pasture?

Psalm 95:7
For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice,

Jeremiah 23:1
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” declares the LORD.
Judges 8:24-26
Then he added, “Let me make a request of you, that each of you give me an earring from his plunder.” (For the enemies had gold earrings because they were Ishmaelites.) / “We will give them gladly,” they replied. So they spread out a garment, and each man threw an earring from his plunder onto it. / The weight of the gold earrings he had requested was 1,700 shekels, in addition to the crescent ornaments, the pendants, the purple garments of the kings of Midian, and the chains from the necks of their camels.

Judges 8:5-6
So Gideon said to the men of Succoth, “Please give my troops some bread, for they are exhausted, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.” / But the leaders of Succoth asked, “Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give bread to your army?”

Judges 8:10-12
Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their army of about fifteen thousand men—all that were left of the armies of the people of the east. A hundred and twenty thousand swordsmen had already fallen. / And Gideon went up by way of the caravan route east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and he attacked their army, taking them by surprise. / When Zebah and Zalmunna fled, Gideon pursued and captured these two kings of Midian, routing their entire army.

Judges 7:25
They also captured Oreb and Zeeb, the two princes of Midian; and they killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. So they pursued the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side of the Jordan.

Judges 8:21
Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, “Get up and kill us yourself, for as the man is, so is his strength.” So Gideon got up and killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and he took the crescent ornaments from the necks of their camels.

Isaiah 10:6-7
I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets. / But this is not his intention; this is not his plan. For it is in his heart to destroy and cut off many nations.

Isaiah 10:13-14
For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, for I am clever. I have removed the boundaries of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their rulers. / My hand reached as into a nest to seize the wealth of the nations. Like one gathering abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth. No wing fluttered, no beak opened or chirped.’”


Treasury of Scripture

Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.

Psalm 83:4
They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

Psalm 74:7,8
They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground…

2 Chronicles 20:11
Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.

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Dwelling-Places God's Habitations Heritage Houses Occupy Ourselves Pasturelands Pastures Places Possess Possession Resting-Place
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Dwelling-Places God's Habitations Heritage Houses Occupy Ourselves Pasturelands Pastures Places Possess Possession Resting-Place
Psalm 83
1. A complaint to God of the enemies conspiracies
9. A prayer against those who oppress the Church












who said
This phrase refers to the enemies of Israel, specifically the nations conspiring against God's people. In the context of Psalm 83, these are historical adversaries who sought to destroy Israel. The psalmist Asaph is calling upon God to remember the threats and actions of these nations. This reflects a recurring theme in the Old Testament where Israel faces opposition from surrounding nations.

“Let us possess for ourselves
The desire to possess indicates a covetous intent to take over the land that God had given to Israel. This reflects the historical reality of territorial conflicts in the ancient Near East, where land was a primary source of wealth and power. The phrase suggests a direct challenge to God's sovereignty and His covenant promises to Israel regarding the land.

the pastures of God.”
The term "pastures" symbolizes the fertile and prosperous land of Israel, often described as a land flowing with milk and honey. This land was seen as a divine gift, and its possession was tied to the covenant relationship between God and His people. The phrase "pastures of God" underscores the sacredness of the land, as it was not just any territory but one specifically designated by God for His people. This connects to other scriptures where the land is a central element of God's promises, such as in Genesis 12:7 and Deuteronomy 11:12. The desire to take these pastures can be seen as an affront to God's provision and blessing.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Asaph
The author of Psalm 83, Asaph was a prominent Levite singer and seer in David's court. He is known for his psalms that often focus on God's justice and the plight of Israel.

2. Edomites, Ishmaelites, Moabites, Hagrites, Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia, Tyre, Assyria
These are the nations mentioned earlier in Psalm 83 as conspiring against Israel. They represent historical enemies of Israel who sought to destroy God's people.

3. Pastures of God
This phrase symbolizes the land of Israel, which God had given to His people. It represents not just physical territory but also spiritual inheritance and blessing.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over the Land
The "pastures of God" remind us that God is the ultimate owner of all creation. We are stewards of what He has entrusted to us.

Spiritual Inheritance
Just as the land was a physical inheritance for Israel, believers have a spiritual inheritance in Christ. We should cherish and protect our spiritual blessings.

Trust in God's Protection
Despite the threats from surrounding nations, Israel was called to trust in God's protection. Similarly, we should rely on God amidst our adversities.

The Danger of Covetousness
The desire of Israel's enemies to possess the "pastures of God" warns us against coveting what God has given to others. We should be content with our own blessings.

Unity in Prayer Against Spiritual Enemies
As the psalm is a communal prayer for deliverance, it encourages us to unite in prayer against spiritual forces that seek to undermine our faith.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Psalm 83:12?

2. How can Psalm 83:12 inspire us to pray against spiritual adversaries today?

3. What does "let us possess for ourselves" reveal about the enemies' intentions?

4. How does Psalm 83:12 connect with God's promises to Israel in Genesis?

5. In what ways can we trust God for protection against modern-day threats?

6. How can Psalm 83:12 encourage us to intercede for the Church's preservation?

7. What historical context surrounds Psalm 83:12 and its reference to the land of God?

8. How does Psalm 83:12 reflect the broader theme of divine justice in the Bible?

9. What archaeological evidence supports the events described in Psalm 83?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 83?

11. Is there evidence that the events implied in Psalm 83 happened literally, or is this purely poetic hyperbole without historical basis?

12. Do the names and alliances in Psalm 83:6-8 reflect actual historical groups, or might they be anachronistic or symbolic references?

13. Does the historical or archaeological record confirm that the nations listed in Psalm 83:6-8 ever formed a united conspiracy against Israel?

14. If Psalm 72:8 predicts dominion 'from sea to sea,' why doesn't history confirm any Israelite king ruling so extensively?
What Does Psalm 83:12 Mean
Who said

• The declaration springs from the hostile confederacy named just a few verses earlier: “the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, Moab and the Hagrites, Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, Philistia with the people of Tyre” (Psalm 83:6-7).

• These nations have “formed an alliance” and “covenanted against You” (Psalm 83:5). Their unified voice—“who said”—reveals deliberate, coordinated rebellion, much like the coalition that attacked Judah in Jehoshaphat’s day (2 Chronicles 20:1-2).

• The attitude echoes earlier enemies who presumed on God’s land: Midianites swarming “to destroy the produce of the earth” (Judges 6:3-4) and Assyria boasting, “By the strength of my hand I have done this” (Isaiah 10:13).


Let us possess

• The phrase signals conquest, not peaceful settlement. It is the cry of invaders determined to take what is not theirs, reminiscent of the spies’ faithless report, “We are not able to go up” (Numbers 13:31), contrasted with Caleb’s faithful resolve, “We can certainly conquer it!” (Numbers 13:30).

• Possession in Scripture always carries covenant undertones—either honoring God’s gift (Joshua 21:43-45) or seizing it unlawfully (1 Kings 21:15-16, Naboth’s vineyard).

• Here the coalition rejects God’s sovereignty, treating His inheritance as a spoil of war (Psalm 79:1).


for ourselves

• The motive is self-aggrandizement. They seek to enrich their own kingdoms, ignoring that “the earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1).

• Contrast with the rightful heirs who were to live dependently—“You will eat from vineyards you did not plant” (Deuteronomy 6:11)—as recipients, not owners in their own right.

• The self-centered claim mirrors the tower builders of Genesis 11:4: “Let us make a name for ourselves,” revealing pride that invites divine resistance (Proverbs 16:18).


the pastures of God

• “Pastures” pictures lush grazing land, a metaphor for the whole Promised Land, which God calls “My inheritance” (Jeremiah 2:7).

• God Himself shepherds His people there: “We are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care” (Psalm 95:7). To seize the pasture is to threaten the flock and challenge the Shepherd.

• Such presumption triggers divine jealousy: “Surely in My burning zeal I have spoken against the rest of the nations … who with glee and malice made My land their own possession” (Ezekiel 36:5).

• Ultimately the plot fails; God promises, “I will bring Judah back to His pasture” (Jeremiah 50:19) and “restore the fortunes of My people Israel” (Amos 9:14).


summary

Psalm 83:12 exposes the heart of Israel’s enemies: a united cry to confiscate God’s own land for their personal gain. Their audacious demand dishonors the Lord’s covenant, elevates human pride, and threatens the well-being of His flock. Scripture assures that such schemes cannot stand; the land and its people remain under the steadfast protection of their Shepherd-King.

(12) Houses.--Rather, pastures. (See Psalm 79:7.)

Verse 12. - Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession; rather, the homesteads of God; or "the pastures of God" (Psalm 23:2), i.e. of God's people, Israel.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
who
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

said,
אָ֭מְרוּ (’ā·mə·rū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Let us possess
נִ֣ירֲשָׁה (nî·ră·šāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 3423: To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit, to expel, to impoverish, to ruin

for ourselves
אֵ֝֗ת (’êṯ)
Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

the pastures
נְא֣וֹת (nə·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4999: Habitation, house, pasture, pleasant place

of God.”
אֱלֹהִֽים׃ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT Poetry: Psalm 83:12 Who said Let us take possession (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 83:11
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