Psalms 83:16

Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.

Fill {H4390}{H8761)} their faces {H6440} with shame {H7036}; that they may seek {H1245}{H8762)} thy name {H8034}, O LORD {H3068}.

Fill their faces with shame, so that they will seek your name, ADONAI.

Cover their faces with shame, that they may seek Your name, O LORD.

Fill their faces with confusion, That they may seek thy name, O Jehovah.

Psalms 83:16 is a powerful plea found within a communal lament, where the psalmist Asaph calls upon God to intervene against a confederacy of nations threatening Israel. This verse reveals a profound aspect of biblical justice: judgment is often purposed not merely for punishment, but for repentance and recognition of God's sovereignty.

Context of Psalms 83:16

Psalm 83 is a desperate prayer for divine intervention against a coalition of enemies who have conspired against God's people and His very name (Psalm 83:5). The psalmist lists these nations, portraying them as seeking to destroy Israel's identity and memory (Psalm 83:4). The prayer for shame and confusion upon them in verses 9-17 is not an act of vindictive malice, but a petition for God to demonstrate His power and presence in the face of such threats. The ultimate goal of the psalm is for all to know that the LORD alone is "the most High over all the earth" (Psalm 83:18).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Redemptive Purpose of Judgment: The most striking element of this verse is the "that they may seek thy name." The requested shame (Hebrew: bosh, meaning humiliation or disgrace) is not an end in itself, but a means to a greater spiritual end. It's a prayer that the adversaries, experiencing divine defeat and humiliation, would be driven to acknowledge and turn to the one true God.
  • Seeking God's Name: To "seek thy name, O LORD" (Hebrew: biqshemu shimka) implies actively pursuing, inquiring about, and ultimately submitting to God's character, authority, and covenant presence. It's a call for repentance and a turning away from their opposition to God's purposes. This aligns with broader biblical themes of God desiring salvation even for those who oppose Him, as seen in passages like 2 Peter 3:9.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Justice: The prayer underscores God's ultimate control over nations and events. The psalmist trusts that God's justice will prevail, not only in protecting His people but also in revealing His identity to those who deny Him.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "shame" here, bosh, carries the sense of being confounded, disappointed, or put to confusion. It's a powerful experience of one's plans failing and one's pride being humbled. When this is applied to "faces," it signifies an open, visible humiliation that cannot be hidden. The phrase "seek thy name" points to the essential nature and revelation of God, Yahweh, emphasizing a desire for the enemies to come to a saving knowledge of who He truly is, rather than merely knowing about Him.

Practical Application

Psalms 83:16 offers a profound model for prayer, even when facing opposition. It teaches believers to pray not only for deliverance from enemies but also for their ultimate spiritual well-being. While we pray for justice and protection, we are also called to pray for the repentance and salvation of those who oppose God's will. This verse reminds us that God's desire is for all to come to Him, transforming even acts of judgment into opportunities for spiritual awakening and recognition of His supreme authority, just as 1 Timothy 2:4 states that God "will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 6:10

    Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return [and] be ashamed suddenly.

  • Psalms 9:19

    Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.

  • Psalms 9:20

    Put them in fear, O LORD: [that] the nations may know themselves [to be but] men. Selah.

  • Psalms 132:18

    His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

  • Job 10:15

    If I be wicked, woe unto me; and [if] I be righteous, [yet] will I not lift up my head. [I am] full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction;

  • Psalms 34:5

    They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

  • Psalms 109:29

    Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back