Psalms – Chapter 83

Old Testament • 13 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 83 of Psalms begins: "Unto the end, for the winepresses, a psalm for the sons of Core." Jacob stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 13 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and love and charity. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1Unto the end, for the winepresses, a psalm for the sons of Core.

2How lovely are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!

3my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God.

4For the sparrow hath found herself a house, and the turtle a nest for herself where she may lay her young ones: Thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my king and my God.

5Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, O Lord: they shall praise thee for ever and ever.

6Blessed is the man whose help is from thee: in his heart he hath disposed to ascend by steps,

7In the vale of tears, in the place which he hath set.

8For the lawgiver shall give a blessing, they shall go from virtue to virtue: the God of gods shall be seen in Sion.

9O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob.

10Behold, O God our protector: and look on the face of thy Christ.

11For better is one day in thy courts above thousands. I have chosen to be an abject in the house of my God, rather than to dwell in the tabernacles of sinners.

12For God loveth mercy and truth: the Lord will give grace and glory.

13He will not deprive of good things them that walk in innocence: O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Important Verses in Psalms 83

“my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God.”

Psalms 83:3

“Blessed is the man whose help is from thee: in his heart he hath disposed to ascend by steps,”

Psalms 83:6

“O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob.”

Psalms 83:9

“For God loveth mercy and truth: the Lord will give grace and glory.”

Psalms 83:12

Historical Context

Psalms addresses god's people at prayer in every age within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 83 of 150 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a liturgical poem composed for Temple worship and personal prayer with 13 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Jacob, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. It opens with the line: "Unto the end, for the winepresses, a psalm for the sons of Core." The chapter ends with: "He will not deprive of good things them that walk in innocence: O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in…" The wider setting of Psalms is this: The 150 Psalms are the inspired prayer book of Israel and of the Church, spanning every human emotion—praise, lament, thanksgiving, repentance, and hope. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Who Wrote It

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists

When It Was Written

Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile

Catholic Commentary

The poem's language was meant to be prayed aloud, giving voice to the full range of human experience before the Lord. A pivotal line is verse 3: "my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God." The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

Catholic exegesis reads Psalms 83 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). St. Augustine and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 2632).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God invites us to bring all our emotions to Him. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Psalms 83 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • ✓Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.
  • ✓God invites His people to approach Him confidently in prayer, trusting that He hears and answers.

People in This Chapter

Jacob1 mention

Reflection for Today

Psalms Chapter 83, containing 13 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 1362). Here the emphasis falls on living the Gospel in daily work, which shapes how the Church understands prayer, praise, and the full range of human emotion before God.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 1700).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psalms Chapter 83 about?

Psalms 83 contains 13 verses. It opens with "Unto the end, for the winepresses, a psalm for the sons of Core." and closes with "He will not deprive of good things them that walk in innocence: O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in…". The book as a whole is liturgical poetry and prayer.

What is a key verse in Psalms 83?

One of the most significant verses is verse 3: "my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Psalms Chapter 83?

This chapter mentions Jacob.

Who wrote Psalms and when?

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists. Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Related Chapters

Isaiah 48Shares people and themes with this chapterMalachi 1Shares people and themes with this chapter2 Maccabees 1Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Gloria in Excelsis🙏The Divine Praises🙏Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love🙏Litany of the Sacred Heart

📚 Continue Your Faith Journey

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