What does Psalm 83:2 mean?

This begins an explanation of why Asaph prays for God's intervention (Psalm 83:1). The enemies of God—who hate and want to eliminate Israel—are becoming louder. The reference to an "uproar" could be compared to the sound of crashing ocean waves. Those who surrounded Israel were making threatening, loud indications of their evil intent.

That God's enemies are in some state of agitation reflects the description of end-times nations which revolt against God. Psalm 2:1 describes them as raging. They raise their angry voices against God and against His Anointed (Psalm 2:2).

Symbolically, a person bows their head to show reverence, penitence, or humility. In contrast, a person who defiantly raises their head, or refuses to bow it, demonstrates pride, self-confidence, insolence, and defiance of God. God's enemies in Asaph's day were defying God as they were ready to launch an attack on Israel (Psalm 83:3–5). This includes a long list of enemy nations (Psalm 83:6–8).