Show Don't Tell: Psalm 83

Instead of saying "Nations conspired against Israel," count the enemies. A psalm of Asaph. "O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God. See how your enemies growl, how your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish." Cunning conspiracy against God's cherished ones. "'Come,' they say, 'let us destroy them as a nation, so that Israel's name is remembered no more.'" Genocide planned—complete erasure. Then the roll call: "With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you—the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, Byblos, Ammon and Amalek, Philistia, with the people of Tyre. Even Assyria has joined them to reinforce Lot's descendants." Ten nations listed—complete encirclement. "Do to them as you did to Midian, as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon, who perished at Endor and became like dung on the ground." Historical victories recalled—enemies as fertilizer. "Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, who said, 'Let us take possession of the pasturelands of God.'" "Make them like tumbleweed, my God, like chaff before the wind. As fire consumes the forest or a flame sets the mountains ablaze, so pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm." Tumbleweed, chaff, forest fire, mountain blaze. "May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace. Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD—that you alone are the Most High over all the earth."