Psalms 83:6

Tabernacles. Literally, “tents,” here meaning “tent dwellers” (by the figure of metonymy). The word well describes the nomadic life of the Arabian tribes.

Verses 6–8 mention the conspiring nations. Since there is no historical evidence that all those nations were confederated against Israel at any one time, it may be best to understand the catalogue of peoples as serving the purpose of poetry. The aggregation of such a formidable array of enemies heightens the color of the crisis, giving great emphasis to Israel’s danger at the hands of border enemies. Israel, surrounded by enemy nations, has no recourse but to God. Sometimes God cuts men off from all material aid that they may learn to rely on Him.

Hagarenes. A nomadic people who lived east of Gilead and fought the Israelites in the time of Saul (see 1 Chron. 5:10, 19–22). Israel defeated them and occupied their land.