'Psalm 83' by John Milton

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Be not thou silent now at length
O God hold not thy peace,
Sit not thou still O God of strength
We cry and do not cease.
For lo thy furious foes now *swell
And *storm outrageously, *Jehemajun.
And they that hate thee proud and fill
Exalt their heads full hie.
Against thy people they *contrive *Jagnarimu.
*Their Plots and Counsels deep, *Sod.
*Them to ensnare they chiefly strive *Jithjagnatsu gnal.
*Whom thou dost hide and keep. *Tsephuneca.
Come let us cut them off say they,
Till they no Nation be
That Israels name for ever may
Be lost in memory.
For they consult *with all their might, *Lev jachdau.
And all as one in mind
Themselves against thee they unite
And in firm union bind.
The tents of Edom, and the brood
Of scornful Ishmael,
Moab, with them of Hagars blood
That in the Desart dwell,
Gebal and Ammon there conspire,
And hateful Amalec,
The Philistims, and they of Tyre
Whose bounds the sea doth check.
With them great Asshur also bands
And doth confirm the knot,
All these have lent their armed hands
To aid the Sons of Lot.
Do to them as to Midian bold
That wasted all the Coast.
To Sisera, and as is told
Thou didst to Jabins hoast,
When at the brook of Kishon old
They were repulst and slain,
At Endor quite cut off, and rowl'd
As dung upon the plain.
As Zeb and Oreb evil sped
So let their Princes speed
As Zeba, and Zalmunna bled
So let their Princes bleed.
For they amidst their pride have said
By right now shall we seize
Gods houses, and will now invade
*Their stately Palaces. *Neoth Elohim bears both.
My God, oh make them as a wheel
No quiet let them find,
Giddy and restless let them reel
Like stubble from the wind.
As when an aged wood takes fire
Which on a sudden straies,
The greedy flame runs hier and hier
Till all the mountains blaze,
So with thy whirlwind them pursue,
And with thy tempest chase;
*And till they *yield thee honour due, *They seek thy
Lord fill with shame their face. Name. Heb.
Asham'd and troubl'd let them be,
Troubl'd and sham'd for ever,
Ever confounded, and so die
With shame, and scape it never.
Then shall they know that thou whose name
Jehova is alone,
Art the most high, and thou the same
O're all the earth art one.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Deeper Look into John Milton's Psalm 83

John Milton, one of the greatest poets of the English language, wrote Psalm 83 in his 1653 collection of poems called Psalms of David Imitated. The poem is an imitation of the biblical psalm 83 and it is a powerful expression of Milton's religious and political beliefs. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, imagery, and language.

Historical and Political Context

Before diving into the poem, it's important to understand the historical and political context in which it was written. The 17th century was a time of great social and political upheaval in England. The Stuart monarchs, James I and Charles I, had claimed divine right to rule and imposed their religious and political beliefs on the country, leading to a civil war between the supporters of the king and the parliamentarians. Milton was a strong supporter of the parliamentarians and he believed that they were fighting for the rights of the people against the tyranny of the monarchy. He was also a devout Puritan, who believed in the strict interpretation of the Bible and the importance of personal salvation.

Themes

The main theme of Psalm 83 is the struggle between good and evil, represented by the enemies of God and the people of God. The poem is a prayer for God's help in defeating the enemies of the righteous and protecting the faithful. The enemies are described as a coalition of nations who conspire against God and his people, seeking to destroy them and take possession of their land. The poem also touches on the themes of justice, vengeance, and the power of prayer.

Milton uses the imagery of war and conquest to express his religious and political beliefs. He sees the struggle between the enemies of God and the people of God as a metaphor for the struggle between the forces of evil and the forces of good in the world. The poem is a call to arms for the faithful, urging them to stand up against the enemies of God and fight for what is right.

Structure and Language

The poem is structured as a prayer, with the speaker addressing God directly and asking for his help. The language is formal and elevated, with Milton using biblical language and imagery to express his ideas. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, with each line consisting of ten syllables and a pattern of five stressed and unstressed syllables. This gives the poem a rhythmic quality that adds to its power and intensity.

Milton uses a variety of techniques to create vivid images and convey his message. He uses metaphors, similes, allusions, and personification to bring his words to life. For example, he describes the enemies of God as a "tumultuous noise of waters" and the people of God as "a flock beset with wolves." He also uses personification to give voice to the enemies of God, depicting them as arrogant and boastful in their plans to destroy the righteous.

Imagery

The imagery in Psalm 83 is rich and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the struggle between good and evil. Milton uses natural and military imagery to describe the enemies of God and the people of God. The enemies are depicted as a raging sea, a roaring lion, and a fierce storm, while the people of God are compared to a flock of sheep, a garden of flowers, and a strong fortress. This contrast between the chaos and violence of the enemies and the order and beauty of the people of God highlights the importance of faith and righteousness in the face of adversity.

Interpretation

Psalm 83 is a powerful expression of Milton's religious and political beliefs. The poem reflects his belief in the importance of personal salvation and his support for the parliamentarians in their struggle against the tyranny of the monarchy. The poem also reflects his belief in the power of prayer and his hope for a righteous and just society.

The poem can also be interpreted as a warning against the dangers of religious and political extremism. Milton saw firsthand the destructive power of religious and political fanaticism, and he believed that the only way to achieve a just and peaceful society was through reason and faith. The enemies of God in the poem are depicted as arrogant and violent, fueled by their own fanaticism and hatred. The poem serves as a reminder that the struggle between good and evil is ongoing and that we must remain vigilant in our fight against extremism and tyranny.

Conclusion

In conclusion, John Milton's Psalm 83 is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of good and evil, justice, vengeance, and the power of prayer. The poem reflects Milton's religious and political beliefs, as well as his hope for a just and righteous society. The imagery and language in the poem are rich and evocative, bringing to life the struggle between the enemies of God and the people of God. The poem's message is as relevant today as it was in the 17th century, serving as a warning against the dangers of religious and political extremism and a call to arms for the faithful to stand up for what is right.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Psalm 83: A Masterpiece of John Milton

John Milton, the renowned English poet, is known for his exceptional works that have stood the test of time. One of his most celebrated poems is Psalm 83, which is a masterpiece that showcases his exceptional talent and creativity. The poem is a reflection of Milton's deep faith and his understanding of the Bible, which he uses to create a powerful and thought-provoking piece of literature. In this article, we will take a closer look at Psalm 83 and analyze its meaning and significance.

The poem is a retelling of Psalm 83 from the Bible, which describes the enemies of Israel and their desire to destroy the nation. Milton's version of the psalm is a powerful and emotional piece that captures the essence of the original text while adding his own unique style and interpretation. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the psalm.

The first part of the poem sets the stage for the rest of the piece. It describes the enemies of Israel and their desire to destroy the nation. Milton uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the enemies, describing them as "fierce and proud" and "cruel and cunning." He also uses biblical references to describe their actions, such as "they have taken crafty counsel against thy people" (Psalm 83:3). This part of the poem is essential as it establishes the conflict that the rest of the piece will explore.

The second part of the poem is where Milton's creativity and talent shine. He takes the original text and adds his own unique interpretation, creating a powerful and emotional piece of literature. In this section, Milton describes the enemies of Israel as being "like the waves of the sea" and "like the chaff that the wind drives away." He uses these metaphors to convey the idea that the enemies of Israel are weak and insignificant compared to the power of God. This section of the poem is particularly powerful as it showcases Milton's ability to take a familiar text and make it his own.

The final part of the poem is where Milton brings everything together. He describes the power of God and how he will protect Israel from its enemies. He uses biblical references to describe God's power, such as "thou art the most high over all the earth" (Psalm 83:18). This section of the poem is particularly powerful as it conveys the idea that no matter how powerful the enemies of Israel may be, they are no match for the power of God.

Overall, Psalm 83 is a masterpiece of literature that showcases John Milton's exceptional talent and creativity. The poem is a powerful and emotional piece that captures the essence of the original text while adding Milton's own unique interpretation. The poem is a testament to Milton's deep faith and his understanding of the Bible, which he uses to create a thought-provoking and inspiring piece of literature.

In conclusion, Psalm 83 is a must-read for anyone interested in literature, poetry, or the Bible. It is a powerful and emotional piece that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it. John Milton's exceptional talent and creativity are on full display in this masterpiece, and it is a testament to his enduring legacy as one of the greatest poets of all time.

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