'Psalm 83' by John Milton

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The Poetical Works of John Milton1648Be 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

Interpreting the Classic Poetry, Psalm 83 by John Milton

When it comes to discussing classic poetry, one cannot forget to mention the works of John Milton. Psalm 83 is one of his lesser-known works, yet it is still a masterpiece that deserves to be analyzed and appreciated. In this literary criticism, we will delve into the deeper meaning behind the poem and explore its significance in Milton's body of work.

Background

Before we begin our analysis, it is necessary to provide some background information on Psalm 83. The poem is based on the 83rd Psalm from the Bible's Book of Psalms, which is a collection of religious songs and poems. In this particular psalm, the writer laments the enemies of Israel and calls upon God to defeat them.

Milton's version of Psalm 83 was written during the English Civil War, a period of political and religious turmoil in England. As a devout Christian and supporter of the Puritan cause, Milton saw the war as a battle between good and evil, with God on the side of the Puritans. In Psalm 83, he uses the language and imagery of the Bible to support this view.

Analysis

Psalm 83 is a complex poem that can be interpreted in many ways. At its core, it is a call to arms against the enemies of God, but there are deeper themes and motifs that run throughout the poem.

War and Violence

One of the most prominent themes in Psalm 83 is war and violence. From the opening lines, Milton sets the tone for a bloody conflict:

Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.
For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.

Here, the writer is calling upon God to take action against his enemies, who are causing chaos and destruction. The use of the word "tumult" suggests a violent uprising, while the phrase "lifted up the head" implies a display of arrogance and defiance.

Throughout the poem, there are references to weapons of war and acts of violence:

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.
For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:
The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;
Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.

This passage lists the enemies of Israel and their alliances, painting a picture of a vast army gathering against God's people. The use of the word "cut" suggests a violent and brutal act of destruction.

Religion and Faith

Another important theme in Psalm 83 is religion and faith. As a devout Christian, Milton believed that God was on the side of the Puritans and that the war was a righteous struggle against evil. This belief is evident throughout the poem, which is full of religious language and imagery:

For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:
The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;
Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.

Here, the writer is calling upon God to defend his people against their enemies. The use of the word "thee" suggests a personal relationship between God and his followers.

There are also references to religious rituals and practices throughout the poem:

Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:
Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.
Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:

These lines refer to Old Testament stories of God's victories over his enemies, suggesting that the writer believes that God will once again intervene on behalf of his people.

Good and Evil

Finally, Psalm 83 is a meditation on the nature of good and evil. Milton saw the English Civil War as a battle between these two opposing forces, with the Puritans representing the forces of good and their enemies representing evil. This dichotomy is reflected throughout the poem:

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.
For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:

Here, the enemies of Israel are portrayed as wicked and malicious, seeking to destroy God's chosen people. The use of the word "consent" suggests a deliberate and calculated act of evil.

In contrast, God and his people are depicted as righteous and just:

Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O Lord.
Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:

Here, the writer is calling upon God to punish his enemies and bring shame upon them. The use of the word "perish" suggests a final and complete defeat.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Milton's Psalm 83 is a powerful poem that reflects his deep religious convictions and political views. Through its use of language and imagery, the poem paints a portrait of a world in which good and evil are in constant conflict, with God and his followers ultimately triumphing over their enemies. While its themes may be specific to Milton's time and place, its message of faith and perseverance in the face of adversity is timeless and universal.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

John Milton's Psalm 83 is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. It is a powerful and moving piece that speaks to the human condition and the struggles that we all face in life. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and motifs that are present in this poem, as well as the literary devices that Milton employs to convey his message.

The poem begins with a plea to God to not remain silent in the face of the enemies of the speaker. The speaker is clearly in a state of distress and is calling out to God for help. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a powerful expression of the speaker's faith in God and his belief that God will ultimately triumph over evil.

One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of justice. The speaker is calling on God to bring justice to those who have wronged him and his people. This is a common theme in religious poetry, as the idea of justice is central to many religious traditions. The speaker is expressing his belief that God is just and will ultimately bring justice to those who have been wronged.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of redemption. The speaker is calling on God to redeem him and his people from their enemies. This is a powerful expression of faith, as the speaker is expressing his belief that God has the power to redeem even the most hopeless situations.

Milton employs a number of literary devices in the poem to convey his message. One of the most prominent of these is imagery. Throughout the poem, Milton uses vivid and powerful imagery to convey the speaker's emotions and the themes of the poem. For example, in the second stanza, Milton writes:

"For lo, thy foes with uproar And tumults rise, and aim'd with hostile hate, That breathe the soul of war, And in their nostrils breathe out threatenings dire."

This imagery is powerful and evocative, conveying the sense of chaos and danger that the speaker is facing. It also serves to emphasize the theme of justice, as the speaker is calling on God to bring order to the chaos and to bring justice to those who have wronged him.

Another literary device that Milton employs in the poem is repetition. Throughout the poem, Milton repeats certain phrases and words to emphasize their importance. For example, in the first stanza, he repeats the phrase "keep not thou silence" three times. This repetition serves to emphasize the urgency of the speaker's plea to God.

Milton also employs alliteration and assonance in the poem to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. For example, in the third stanza, he writes:

"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."

The repetition of the "c" sound in "cut them off from being a nation" and the "m" sound in "may be no more in remembrance" creates a sense of musicality and rhythm that adds to the power of the poem.

In conclusion, John Milton's Psalm 83 is a powerful and moving piece of poetry that speaks to the human condition and the struggles that we all face in life. It is a testament to the power of faith and the belief that justice will ultimately triumph over evil. Through his use of imagery, repetition, and other literary devices, Milton conveys his message with power and emotion, making this poem a classic that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

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