Psalms 83:15

KJV

So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.

KJV (with Strong's)

So persecute {H7291}{H8799)} them with thy tempest {H5591}, and make them afraid {H926}{H8762)} with thy storm {H5492}.

Complete Jewish Bible

drive them away with your storm, terrify them with your tempest.

Berean Standard Bible

so pursue them with Your tempest, and terrify them with Your storm.

American Standard Version

So pursue them with thy tempest, And terrify them with thy storm.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 83:15 is a fervent imprecatory plea from the psalmist, Asaph, calling upon God to unleash His overwhelming divine power against the confederacy of nations threatening Israel. It implores the Almighty to pursue and terrify these adversaries with the irresistible force of a "tempest" and a "storm," thereby discomfiting their malicious designs and demonstrating God's supreme sovereignty and justice in vindicating His name and protecting His chosen people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 83 stands as a powerful national lament and imprecatory prayer within Book Three of the Psalter (Psalms 73-89), a collection often marked by communal distress and appeals for divine deliverance. The psalm opens with an urgent cry for God to break His perceived silence (vv. 1-2), detailing the insidious conspiracy of a formidable coalition of enemies intent on eradicating Israel's very existence (vv. 3-8). Following this exposition of the threat, the psalmist transitions into a series of impassioned petitions for divine judgment, drawing parallels to past acts of God's intervention (vv. 9-12). Verse 15 is a climactic request for God to deploy His control over natural forces as instruments of His wrath, building upon the vivid imagery of divine judgment introduced in the preceding verses, such as likening the enemies to wind-driven chaff or a consuming fire, as vividly depicted in [Psalms 83:13-14](/psalms/83-13-14 "Psalms 83:13-14 - Enemies as Chaff and Fire"). The ultimate goal of this judgment, as the psalm concludes, is the universal recognition of God's unique and supreme sovereignty.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This psalm likely reflects a period of profound national insecurity for ancient Israel, possibly during the tumultuous era of the Divided Monarchy or a post-exilic challenge, when various regional powers frequently formed alliances to oppress or annihilate the Israelite nation. The specific enumeration of adversaries in [Psalms 83:6-8](/psalms/83-6-8 "Psalms 83:6-8 - The Confederacy Against Israel"), including Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia, Tyre, and Assyria, points to a broad and existential threat. Within the ancient Near Eastern worldview, powerful natural phenomena like storms, whirlwinds, and tempests were not seen as random occurrences but as direct, tangible manifestations of divine power, wrath, and judgment. The psalmist's appeal to God's command over the "tempest" and "storm" would have resonated deeply with a culture that recognized the raw, destructive force of nature as a direct extension of a deity's will, often signifying a theophany or an act of divine intervention.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 83:15 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes present within the psalm and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Justice and Vengeance**, portraying God not as a passive observer but as an active, righteous judge who will decisively confront injustice, the oppression of His covenant people, and the blasphemy of His holy name. The psalmist's petition is not born of personal malice but from a fervent desire for God's righteous justice to be executed. Secondly, the verse powerfully underscores **God's Absolute Sovereignty Over Creation**. The "tempest" and "storm" are not uncontrolled forces but divinely directed instruments, demonstrating God's absolute command over all natural elements, which He can wield to achieve His redemptive and judicial purposes, a truth echoed in passages like [Nahum 1:3](/nahum/1-3 "Nahum 1:3 - The Lord's Way in the Whirlwind and Storm"). Finally, and crucially, the ultimate purpose of this requested judgment, as explicitly stated in [Psalms 83:18](/psalms/83-18 "Psalms 83:18 - God's Name and Sovereignty"), is the **Vindication of God's Name and Glory**. The destruction and discomfiture of the enemies serve to reveal God's unique identity as "JEHOVAH" and His supreme authority "over all the earth," compelling all nations to acknowledge Him as the one true God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Persecute (Hebrew, _râdaph'_):** From H7291, this primitive root means "to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by); chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r)." In this context, it signifies God's active, relentless, and hostile pursuit of the enemies. It implies not merely a defeat but a sustained divine action that drives them away, harasses them, and leaves them no escape, ensuring their complete discomfiture.
* **Tempest (Hebrew, _çaʻar'_):** From H5591, this word refers to "a hurricane; storm(-y), tempest, whirlwind." It denotes a violent, tumultuous wind or gale, often associated with God's powerful and destructive presence, particularly in contexts of judgment. The psalmist invokes this word to depict an overwhelming, chaotic natural phenomenon directly controlled and unleashed by God, emphasizing the irresistible force and intensity of the divine judgment.
* **Afraid (Hebrew, _bâhal'_):** From H926, this primitive root means "to tremble inwardly (or palpitate), i.e. (figuratively) be (causative, make) (suddenly) alarmed or agitated; by implication to hasten anxiously; be (make) affrighted (afraid, amazed, dismayed, rash), (be, get, make) haste(-n, -y, -ily), (give) speedy(-ily), thrust out, trouble, vex." Here, it describes the desired psychological and emotional effect on the enemies: to be suddenly terrified, dismayed, and thrown into anxious haste, leading to their complete disarray and flight.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So persecute them with thy tempest":** This initial clause is a direct and urgent petition to God, the sovereign Lord. The psalmist implores God to actively and relentlessly pursue and harass the enemies of Israel, employing His divine "tempest." This "tempest" (Hebrew: _çaʻar_) is a powerful, destructive natural force, a metaphor for God's active, overwhelming, and terrifying judgment. The request is for God to unleash His might to drive the adversaries away, causing them to flee in terror and disarray, leaving them no refuge from His wrath.
* **"and make them afraid with thy storm":** This second clause functions in powerful synonymous parallelism with the first, reinforcing and intensifying the plea for divine intervention. It specifies the desired psychological and emotional outcome of God's action: to instill profound fear, panic, and dismay in the enemies. The "storm" (Hebrew: _çûwphâh_, a hurricane or whirlwind, often associated with divine wrath) is depicted as the instrument through which God will cause their terror, leading to their utter discomfiture and eventual defeat. The ultimate goal is not merely physical destruction but a breaking of their will and spirit, ensuring their recognition of God's power and their inability to oppose Him and His people.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 83:15 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent and powerful message. The most prominent is **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second half of the verse, "and make them afraid with thy storm," closely echoes and amplifies the meaning of the first half, "So persecute them with thy tempest." This structural repetition serves to intensify the psalmist's fervent plea for God's decisive action and underscores the overwhelming nature of the divine judgment being invoked. **Imagery** is central to the verse's power, as it vividly depicts God wielding the raw, destructive forces of nature—the "tempest" and the "storm"—as instruments of His wrath. These powerful images evoke a visceral sense of irresistible force, inescapable terror, and chaotic disarray for the enemies. Furthermore, there is a clear element of **Anthropomorphism**, where God is described as actively "persecuting" and "making afraid." This attribution of human-like actions and intentions to the divine emphasizes God's direct, personal involvement in the affairs of humanity and His unwavering commitment to executing justice on behalf of His covenant people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, characteristic of the imprecatory psalms, offers profound theological insights into the nature of God and His active relationship with His covenant people. It powerfully affirms God's character as a righteous and just judge who is neither indifferent to injustice nor passive in the face of threats against His people or His holy name. The invocation of natural forces like "tempest" and "storm" underscores God's absolute and unchallengeable sovereignty over all creation, demonstrating that even the most chaotic and destructive elements are entirely under His command and can be deployed for His divine purposes of judgment, vindication, and the revelation of His glory. While the Old Testament frequently portrays God's direct and often forceful intervention against His enemies, it is crucial to understand that such prayers are deeply rooted in a covenantal framework where Israel’s adversaries were often perceived as direct enemies of God’s redemptive plan and His very being. The ultimate aim of such judgment, as the psalm’s conclusion makes clear, transcends mere vengeance; it is fundamentally about the revelation of God’s unique and supreme identity to all nations, compelling them to acknowledge Him alone as the Most High.

* [Nahum 1:3](/nahum/1-3 "Nahum 1:3 - God's Power in the Whirlwind and Storm")
* [Psalm 9:16](/psalms/9-16 "Psalm 9:16 - The Lord is Known by His Judgment")
* [Isaiah 29:6](/isaiah/29-6 "Isaiah 29:6 - Divine Judgment with Storm and Tempest")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 83:15, like all imprecatory psalms, challenges contemporary believers to engage deeply with the raw human emotions of distress, injustice, and the profound desire for divine rectification in the face of evil. While the New Testament unequivocally calls us to [love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies"), this psalm serves as a vital reminder that God is indeed a righteous and active judge who will ultimately bring perfect justice to the earth. It encourages us to cultivate a profound trust in God's perfect timing and His sovereign methods for vindication, recognizing that vengeance belongs exclusively to Him, as powerfully affirmed in [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine, I Will Repay"). For us today, this verse can be a powerful source of comfort and strength, reminding us of God's absolute sovereignty and His unfailing ability to protect His people and uphold His glory amidst any opposition. When we ourselves face overwhelming adversaries, profound injustice, or spiritual attacks, we can find solace and courage in knowing that the Lord of the "tempest" and "storm" is our ultimate refuge and strength, and He will ultimately set all things right, ensuring that His glorious name is magnified among all nations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I reconcile the psalmist's earnest prayer for divine judgment with the New Testament's radical teachings on loving and praying for enemies?**
* **In what specific situations in my life or in the world do I find myself desiring divine intervention for justice, and how can I ensure those desires are aligned with God's perfect character and redemptive purposes?**
* **How does the vivid imagery of God using "tempest" and "storm" as instruments of His will both comfort and challenge my understanding of His immense power and absolute control over all things?**
* **What profound truth does this verse convey about the ultimate purpose of God's judgment in the world, particularly concerning the vindication of His holy name?**

### FAQ

**Does Psalms 83:15 encourage believers to pray for harm on their enemies?**

Answer: Psalms 83:15, like other imprecatory psalms, expresses a raw, intense, and righteous cry for divine justice against those who actively threaten God's people and blaspheme His holy name. In the Old Testament covenantal context, the enemies of Israel were often viewed as direct enemies of God's covenant and His redemptive plan for humanity. The psalmist's prayer is not born of personal vengeance or malice but from a deep desire for God's righteous judgment to be executed for the vindication of His name and the protection of His chosen people. For New Testament believers, the teachings of Jesus Christ provide a new and higher ethical framework, calling us to [love your enemies](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies") and to [pray for those who persecute you](/luke/6-28 "Luke 6:28 - Bless Those Who Curse You"). While we acknowledge God's ultimate justice and His absolute sovereignty over all things, including the execution of judgment, our specific prayers for those who oppose us should be for their repentance, transformation, and salvation. We are called to leave the execution of divine wrath to God's perfect timing and method, as [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to God") powerfully reminds us. These psalms, therefore, serve to remind us of God's unwavering character as a just judge who will ultimately set all things right, rather than serving as a direct template for our personal prayers for retribution.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 83:15, with its fervent plea for God to unleash His "tempest" and "storm" upon His enemies, finds its most profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Ultimately, the righteous wrath of God, symbolized by such overwhelming and destructive natural forces, was poured out not upon humanity's enemies, but upon God's own Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. There, Jesus willingly bore the full "storm" of divine judgment for the sins of the world, becoming the ultimate atoning sacrifice that perfectly reconciles humanity to God, as powerfully articulated in [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"). Furthermore, Jesus Himself demonstrated absolute divine authority over literal tempests, famously calming the raging storm on the Sea of Galilee with a mere word, as recorded in [Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm"), thereby revealing His inherent sovereignty over creation—the very forces the psalmist invokes for judgment. While the psalmist prays for God to "persecute" enemies with a storm, Christ teaches His followers a new covenant ethic to [love their enemies](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies") and pray for their salvation, embodying a radical grace that seeks reconciliation and redemption rather than immediate retribution. Yet, Christ is also the one who will return as the ultimate, righteous judge, when the "day of the Lord" will indeed come with overwhelming fire and judgment, as foretold in [2 Peter 3:10](/2_peter/3-10 "2 Peter 3:10 - The Day of the Lord"), bringing final justice and vindication for God's name and His people, thereby fulfilling the ultimate purpose of the psalmist's cry for God's glorious and decisive intervention.

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

Job 9:17

For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.

Psalms 50:3

Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.

Isaiah 28:17

Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

Psalms 58:9

Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in [his] wrath.

Hebrews 12:18

¶ For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

Psalms 11:6

Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: [this shall be] the portion of their cup.

Job 27:20

Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night.