Psalms 83:17

Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:

Let them be confounded {H954}{H8799)} and troubled {H926}{H8735)} for ever {H5703}; yea, let them be put to shame {H2659}{H8799)}, and perish {H6}{H8799)}:

Let them be ashamed and fearful forever; yes, let them perish in disgrace.

May they be ever ashamed and terrified; may they perish in disgrace.

Let them be put to shame and dismayed for ever; Yea, let them be confounded and perish;

Psalms 83:17 is a powerful verse from an imprecatory psalm, expressing a fervent plea for divine judgment against the enemies of God's people.

Context

Psalm 83 is a communal lament attributed to Asaph, likely written during a time when a confederacy of surrounding nations threatened Israel's very existence. The psalmist identifies these enemies by name (e.g., Edom, Ishmaelites, Moab, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia, Tyre) and describes their plot to destroy Israel and wipe out the memory of its name (Psalms 83:4). The prayer is not merely for Israel's protection, but fundamentally for God's vindication and for His sovereignty to be recognized by all nations. Verse 17 is part of a crescendo of petitions for God to act decisively against these adversaries, following requests for them to be pursued and consumed like stubble before a fire (Psalms 83:14).

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Judgment: The verse is a direct appeal for God to execute justice upon those who oppose His people and, by extension, His divine will. It reflects a deep conviction that God is righteous and will ultimately deal with evil.
  • Vindication of God's Name: The ultimate goal of the psalmist's prayer is not simply revenge, but that the enemies would be forced to acknowledge the one true God. The subsequent verse, Psalms 83:18, clarifies this purpose: "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth."
  • Consequences of Rebellion: The verse outlines severe consequences for those who persist in their rebellion against God and His chosen ones:
    • Confounded: Implies shame, disgrace, and the utter failure of their wicked plans.
    • Troubled: Suggests terror, dismay, and overwhelming distress.
    • Put to Shame: A reiteration of their disgrace, highlighting the public humiliation of their defeat.
    • Perish: Signifies their ultimate destruction or ruin.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used convey intense and lasting consequences:

  • "Confounded" comes from the root bosh (בּוֹשׁ), meaning to be ashamed, disgraced, or put to confusion. It speaks to the utter failure and public humiliation of their schemes.
  • "Troubled" derives from bahal (בָּהַל), signifying to be dismayed, terrified, or thrown into sudden alarm. It denotes a state of panic and distress.
  • "Perish" is from abad (אָבַד), meaning to be lost, destroyed, or utterly ruined. The addition of "for ever" emphasizes the lasting nature of this judgment, contrasting with the enemies' desire to "cut them off from being a nation" (Psalms 83:4).

Practical Application

While the New Testament teaches believers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44), imprecatory psalms like this offer important truths:

  • Trust in Divine Justice: They remind us that God is ultimately just and will deal with evil and injustice in His perfect timing. Believers are called to leave vengeance to God (Romans 12:19).
  • Zeal for God's Glory: The psalmist's primary concern is the glory of God's name. When we pray, our deepest desire should be for God's will to be done and for His sovereignty to be recognized on earth.
  • Seriousness of Rebellion: The strong language serves as a stark warning about the inevitable consequences for those who set themselves against God and His purposes.
  • Hope for Vindication: For those who suffer injustice, this psalm offers hope that God sees, hears, and will ultimately bring about justice and vindication for His people and His name.
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 35:4

    Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.

  • Psalms 109:29

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

  • Psalms 35:26

    Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify [themselves] against me.

  • Psalms 40:14

    Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.

  • Psalms 40:15

    Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.

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