Psalms 83:13

KJV

O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.

KJV (with Strong's)

O my God {H430}, make {H7896}{H8798)} them like a wheel {H1534}; as the stubble {H7179} before {H6440} the wind {H7307}.

Complete Jewish Bible

My God, make them like whirling dust, like chaff driven by the wind.

Berean Standard Bible

Make them like tumbleweed, O my God, like chaff before the wind.

American Standard Version

O my God, make them like the whirling dust; As stubble before the wind.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 83:13 encapsulates a fervent petition from the psalmist Asaph, imploring God to decisively intervene against the confederated enemies who threaten the very existence of Israel. Through potent natural metaphors—depicting the adversaries as a rapidly spinning "wheel" and weightless "stubble" driven by the wind—the verse vividly articulates a desire for their swift, overwhelming, and utterly complete dispersal and destruction, demonstrating God's sovereign power over all human opposition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 83 stands as a profound example of an **imprecatory psalm**, a genre of prayer where the psalmist appeals to God for judgment against the wicked. The psalm begins with an urgent cry for divine action, imploring God not to remain silent or inactive in the face of a formidable confederacy of nations—including Edom, Ishmaelites, Moab, Hagrites, Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia, Tyre, and Assyria (identified in [Psalms 83:6-8](/psalms/83-6-8 "Psalms 83:6-8 - The Coalition of Enemies"))—who have united with the explicit aim of annihilating Israel and eradicating their memory from the earth ([Psalms 83:4](/psalms/83-4 "Psalms 83:4 - The Enemies' Conspiracy")). The psalmist, Asaph, progresses from a desperate plea for God to act ([Psalms 83:1](/psalms/83-1 "Psalms 83:1 - A Plea for Divine Action")) to a recounting of the enemies' malicious intent, then to a fervent petition for their destruction, drawing parallels to God's past victories over oppressors like Midian and Sisera ([Judges 7:22](/judges/7-22 "Judges 7:22 - God's Deliverance Against Midian") and [Judges 4:15](/judges/4-15 "Judges 4:15 - Sisera's Defeat")). Verse 13 is a pivotal part of this escalating prayer, vividly articulating the desired fate of these enemies: utter powerlessness and chaotic dispersal, serving as a powerful expression of faith in God's ultimate justice.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the precise historical setting of Psalms 83 is debated among scholars, it likely stems from a period of significant national threat to Israel, possibly during the Assyrian or Babylonian expansion, or an earlier coalition of surrounding peoples. The list of nations in [Psalms 83:6-8](/psalms/83-6-8 "The Confederacy Against Israel") represents a formidable alliance of traditional enemies of Israel, many of whom shared common borders and historical grievances. The imagery of a "wheel" (often understood as a tumbleweed or a rolling thistledown) and "stubble" is deeply rooted in the agricultural and pastoral life of ancient Israel. Stubble was the dry, worthless residue left in the fields after harvest, easily scattered by the wind, and often burned. This imagery would have immediately conveyed fragility, worthlessness, and vulnerability to the ancient audience, emphasizing the enemies' inability to withstand divine judgment. The prayer reflects the reality of a small nation constantly surrounded by hostile powers, relying solely on God for their survival and justice.

* **Key Themes:** This psalm, and particularly [Psalms 83:13](/psalms/83-13 "Psalms 83:13 - A Prayer for Divine Judgment"), contributes significantly to several overarching theological and narrative themes within the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. First, it powerfully asserts the theme of **Divine Judgment**, emphasizing God's active role as the righteous judge over all nations and His commitment to defending His covenant people. The psalmist trusts that God will not permit the complete annihilation of Israel, as their destruction would undermine God's promises and His glory ([Psalms 83:18](/psalms/83-18 "Psalms 83:18 - God's Sovereignty and Glory")). Second, the vivid imagery highlights the **Vulnerability and Dispersal** of those who oppose God. The depiction of enemies as a "wheel" (likely a rolling tumbleweed) and "stubble before the wind" underscores their inherent instability, worthlessness, and ultimate inability to stand against God's power. This imagery is echoed in other prophetic warnings of divine judgment, such as in [Isaiah 17:13](/isaiah/17-13 "Isaiah 17:13 - Nations Scattered Like Chaff"). Finally, the psalm is a profound declaration of **God's Sovereignty**. Despite the overwhelming human forces arrayed against Israel, the psalmist's confidence rests entirely in the Lord's absolute power and authority to intervene decisively, demonstrating that no earthly power can ultimately thwart the divine will or stand against the Almighty.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym_):** The psalmist addresses God directly, using the plural form _ʼĕlôhîym_, which often signifies the majestic and powerful nature of the one true God. As the supreme God, this term underscores the psalmist's appeal to the ultimate divine authority, the only one capable of executing such a decisive and overwhelming judgment against a formidable coalition of enemies, demonstrating His exceeding power.
* **Wheel (Hebrew, _galgal_):** While _galgal_ can refer to a literal wheel, the Strong's definition also includes "by analogy, a whirlwind" and "rolling thing." In this context, especially when paired with "stubble" and "wind," it is widely interpreted as a rolling tumbleweed or a rapidly spinning object, symbolizing instability, lack of rootedness, and chaotic, uncontrolled movement. It signifies the enemies' utter lack of power and their destined dispersal, like dust whirled away.
* **Stubble (Hebrew, _qash_):** This term refers to the dry, lightweight, and worthless stalks left in a field after the grain harvest, essentially "straw (as dry)." Stubble is highly combustible and easily scattered or blown away by the slightest breeze. As an image of the enemies, it conveys their fragility, insignificance, and their complete vulnerability to the destructive force of God's judgment, implying swift and total annihilation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"O my God":** This opening phrase is a direct, intimate, and urgent address to the divine. The psalmist uses "my God," indicating a personal relationship and a plea born of deep trust and reliance, emphasizing that only the covenant God of Israel possesses the power and authority to respond to such a grave threat.
* **"make them like a wheel":** This is a powerful imprecation, a prayer for the enemies to be rendered unstable, rootless, and aimlessly driven. The imagery of a "wheel" (likely a tumbleweed or a whirlwind) suggests chaotic, uncontrolled movement and ultimate dispersal, implying that their plans and power will be utterly dismantled and scattered by divine intervention.
* **"as the stubble before the wind":** This second simile intensifies the first, reinforcing the theme of complete vulnerability and swift destruction. Stubble, being dry and worthless, is effortlessly swept away by the wind. This conveys the ease with which God can scatter and eliminate His enemies, highlighting their insignificance and the futility of their opposition against the Almighty.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 83:13 is rich in **literary devices** that amplify its powerful message. The most prominent are the two **similes**: "make them like a wheel" and "as the stubble before the wind." These comparisons vividly depict the desired fate of the enemies, drawing on familiar agricultural and natural phenomena to convey fragility, instability, and swift dispersal. The **imagery** is highly evocative, painting a picture of enemies who are not merely defeated but utterly scattered, without substance or control, like dry plant matter at the mercy of a powerful gale. The verse also employs **parallelism**, specifically a form of synonymous or intensifying parallelism, where the second simile ("as the stubble before the wind") reinforces and amplifies the meaning of the first ("like a wheel"), creating a cumulative effect of utter destruction. Finally, the entire verse functions as an **imprecation**, a prayer invoking divine judgment and calamity upon the adversaries, reflecting the psalmist's deep conviction in God's righteousness and His ultimate triumph over evil.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 83:13 profoundly articulates the biblical theme of divine justice and God's unwavering commitment to defending His covenant people. It reflects the theological conviction that God is not a passive observer but an active sovereign who intervenes in human history to uphold righteousness and confound the plans of those who oppose Him. The imagery of swift destruction for the wicked is a recurring motif throughout Scripture, serving as a powerful reminder of the ultimate futility of resisting God's will. This verse underscores the Lord's absolute power to dismantle even the most formidable human alliances, ensuring that His purposes prevail and that His name is glorified among the nations.

* [Job 21:18](/job/21-18 "Job 21:18 - The Wicked as Stubble Before the Wind")
* [Isaiah 17:13](/isaiah/17-13 "Isaiah 17:13 - Nations Scattered Like Chaff")
* [Matthew 3:12](/matthew/3-12 "Matthew 3:12 - The Winnowing Fork and Chaff")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Psalms 83:13 is an impassioned prayer from a specific historical context, its underlying principles resonate deeply with believers today. It calls us to trust in God's ultimate sovereignty and justice, even when faced with overwhelming opposition or perceived injustice in the world. This verse reminds us that no human power, no matter how formidable or unified, can ultimately stand against the will of the Almighty. In moments of personal struggle, societal turmoil, or spiritual warfare, we are invited to bring our petitions to God, confident that He is the righteous Judge who will ultimately vindicate His people and bring His purposes to fruition. It encourages us to release our anxieties and fears into His hands, knowing that He is fully capable of scattering every force that seeks to undermine His kingdom or harm His children, ultimately leading all to acknowledge His supreme authority.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of a "wheel" and "stubble before the wind" shape your understanding of God's power over opposition?**
* **In what areas of your life or the world do you feel a need for God's divine intervention and justice?**
* **How can this psalm encourage you to trust in God's sovereignty even when circumstances seem overwhelming?**

### FAQ
**Is it appropriate for Christians to pray imprecatory psalms like Psalms 83:13?**

Answer: The use of imprecatory psalms by Christians is a complex theological discussion. While these psalms express a desire for God's judgment on enemies, reflecting a deep trust in divine justice, they are rooted in the Old Covenant context where God's people often faced existential threats and God's kingdom was directly tied to the nation of Israel. For New Testament believers, the emphasis shifts to loving enemies ([Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")), praying for those who persecute us ([Romans 12:14](/romans/12-14 "Romans 12:14 - Bless Those Who Persecute")), and trusting God for ultimate vengeance ([Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to God")). However, these psalms still teach us about God's righteousness, His hatred of evil, and His promise to ultimately defeat all forces that oppose Him and His people. They remind us that God will indeed bring justice, though His timing and methods may differ from our immediate desires. We can pray for the cessation of evil and the repentance of evildoers, knowing God's justice will prevail.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalms 83:13 is an Old Testament imprecation against specific enemies of Israel, its ultimate fulfillment and deepest theological resonance are found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The chaos and dispersal wished upon the enemies of God's people in this verse foreshadow the ultimate triumph of Christ over all spiritual and earthly opposition. Jesus, as the true King of Israel and the Head of the Church, has already decisively defeated the principalities and powers of darkness through His death and resurrection ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). The "stubble before the wind" imagery finds its ultimate spiritual counterpart in the fate of those who reject God's gracious offer of salvation in Christ; they are ultimately without substance or standing before the divine judgment, like chaff to be burned ([Matthew 3:12](/matthew/3-12 "Matthew 3:12 - The Winnowing Fork")). Conversely, those who are "in Christ" are no longer vulnerable to such scattering, for they are rooted and established in Him ([Colossians 2:7](/colossians/2-7 "Colossians 2:7 - Rooted in Christ")). The psalmist's plea for God to act so that all may "know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth" ([Psalms 83:18](/psalms/83-18 "Psalms 83:18 - God's Name and Sovereignty")) finds its climactic realization in the universal recognition of Jesus as Lord, to the glory of God the Father ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")). Thus, this psalm, though a prayer for judgment, points forward to the definitive victory of God accomplished through His Son, ensuring that all who oppose His kingdom will ultimately be scattered, and His eternal reign will be established.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 35:5

Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase [them].

Job 21:18

They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.

Isaiah 40:24

Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.

Psalms 74:11

Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck [it] out of thy bosom.

Psalms 74:12

¶ For God [is] my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.

Jeremiah 13:24

Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness.

Job 13:25

Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?