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Joshua 13:5
And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baalgad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.

Ezekiel 27:9
The ancients of Gebal and the wisemen thereof were in thee thy calkers: all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in thee to occupy thy merchandise.

Ammon
The Ammonites were descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew, as recorded inGenesis 19:38. They inhabited the region east of the Jordan River, in present-day Jordan. Historically, the Ammonites were frequent adversaries of Israel, often engaging in conflicts over territory and resources. Their enmity is documented in several biblical accounts, includingJudges 11 and1 Samuel 11. The inclusion of Ammon in this verse reflects the persistent hostility and opposition they posed to the Israelites throughout biblical history.

and Amalek
The Amalekites were a nomadic tribe descended from Esau, as noted inGenesis 36:12. They were among the first to attack the Israelites after the Exodus, as described inExodus 17:8-16. This initial conflict led to a long-standing enmity between the two groups. The Amalekites are often seen as a symbol of opposition to God's people, and their mention inPsalm 83:7 serves as a reminder of their historical aggression and the divine judgment pronounced against them in passages likeDeuteronomy 25:17-19.

of Philistia
The Philistines were a seafaring people who settled along the coastal regions of Canaan, in what is now the Gaza Strip. They are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as adversaries of Israel, with notable conflicts involving figures like Samson and David. The Philistines' advanced military technology, including their use of iron weapons, made them formidable opponents. Their inclusion in this verse highlights the persistent threat they posed to Israel's security and sovereignty.

with the people of Tyre
Tyre was a prominent Phoenician city-state located on the Mediterranean coast, known for its wealth and trade. The people of Tyre were skilled merchants and sailors, as depicted inEzekiel 27. While Tyre had periods of peaceful relations with Israel, such as during the reign of King Hiram who assisted Solomon in building the temple (1 Kings 5), there were also times of hostility. The mention of Tyre inPsalm 83:7 suggests a coalition of various nations against Israel, emphasizing the widespread nature of the opposition faced by God's people.

“Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, Philistia with the people of Tyre.” (Psalm 83:7)

• Gebal was a mountainous district in Edom, south of the Dead Sea. Edom itself is listed in the verse immediately before (Psalm 83:6), and Gebal represents a clan within that wider nation. Because Edom descended from Esau (Genesis 36:1–8), this name reminds us that even close relatives can oppose God’s covenant people.

• Throughout Scripture, Edom is pictured as a persistent foe (Obadiah 10–14;Ezekiel 35:5). By including Gebal, the psalmist underscores the completeness of the coalition: every level of Edomite society, from clan to kingdom, has aligned against Israel.

• The mention of Gebal also highlights geography. With Edom controlling the southern approaches, Israel is encircled from the southeast. The psalmist is showing how total the threat is—yet he prays with confidence because the Lord is faithful (Psalm 83:1, 18).

• Ammon descended from Lot (Genesis 19:36–38). Though related to Israel, the Ammonites frequently chose hostility (Judges 11:4–27;1 Samuel 11:1–3).

• God had earlier warned Israel not to take Ammonite land (Deuteronomy 2:19), but Ammon did not honor the restraint. The coalition inPsalm 83 reverses the roles: Ammon now presses into Israel’s inheritance.

• Their inclusion stresses that spiritual kinship by blood is not enough; obedience to God’s purposes is what matters (Jeremiah 49:1–6).

• Amalek was the first nation to attack Israel after the Exodus (Exodus 17:8–16). God swore perpetual war against Amalek because that attack was ultimately against Him (Deuteronomy 25:17–19).

• Later, Saul’s partial obedience in1 Samuel 15 shows how seriously God views Amalek’s hatred. ByPsalm 83, the Amalekites are still determined to “wipe out” Israel (Psalm 83:4).

• Their presence in the list reminds us that ancient grudges linger when sin is unrepented. Yet God’s promise stands: He will blot out Amalek’s memory (Exodus 17:14), and the psalmist prays in line with that promise.

• Philistia occupied the coastal plain in the southwest. From the era of Samson to David, they were Israel’s most visible military rival (Judges 13–16;1 Samuel 17).

• Tyre sits far to the northwest, a Phoenician port famed for trade and wealth (Ezekiel 26:1–6). Though Philistia and Tyre rarely worked together militarily, both profited from Israel’s losses (Amos 1:6–10;Joel 3:4–8).

• By pairing them, the psalmist shows the breadth of the conspiracy—from Gaza’s coast to Lebanon’s harbors. Economic motives mingle with spiritual rebellion; the coalition wants Israel gone so that they can divide the land (Psalm 83:12).

• Notice that even commercial powers fall under God’s judgment when they oppose His redemptive plan. Tyre’s eventual downfall (Ezekiel 28:18–19) and Philistia’s destruction (Zephaniah 2:5–7) fulfill exactly what Asaph prays for here.

Psalm 83:7 lists real nations that once surrounded Israel in every direction—south (Gebal/Edom), east (Ammon), southeast (Amalek), southwest (Philistia), and northwest (Tyre). Their united goal was to erase God’s covenant people, but the psalmist answers with confident intercession, appealing to the Lord’s past victories and unchanging promises. The verse therefore teaches that no matter how many foes band together, God’s purposes for Israel—and by extension all who trust Him—remain secure.

"Both Ammon and Amalek are joined together,

The Philistines (are joined) with the men of Tyre."