Psalm 83 16

Psalm 83:16 kjv

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

Psalm 83:16 nkjv

Fill their faces with shame, That they may seek Your name, O LORD.

Psalm 83:16 niv

Cover their faces with shame, LORD, so that they will seek your name.

Psalm 83:16 esv

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

Psalm 83:16 nlt

Utterly disgrace them
until they submit to your name, O LORD.

Psalm 83 verses

Psalm 83 16 Meaning

Psalm 83:16 expresses a fervent plea to God to humble the adversaries of His people through a powerful and public display of their defeat, causing them to be filled with disgrace. The ultimate and vital purpose of this requested judgment is not merely retribution, but redemptive: that these enemies might, as a result of their humbling, seek, recognize, and acknowledge the personal and sovereign Name of the LORD (Yahweh), the one true God. It signifies a desire for them to turn from their rebellion and seek a relationship with the Almighty.

Psalm 83 16 Context

Psalm 83 is a communal lament and imprecation from Asaph, pleading with God to act decisively against a confederacy of ten hostile nations who have conspired to utterly destroy Israel, intending to erase the name of Israel from memory. The psalm begins with an urgent call for God to break His silence and act, as these enemies openly defy Him and plot against His cherished people. The psalm vividly describes their malicious intent (Psa 83:4-5), and Asaph calls upon God to unleash devastating judgment upon them, reminiscent of His past victories against Israel's enemies (e.g., Sisera, Midian). Verse 16 stands out because amidst fierce imprecations for destruction, it pivots to a higher, redemptive purpose. While previous verses invoke powerful metaphors of judgment (e.g., stubble before wind, fire consuming mountains), this verse adds a spiritual goal: that the very judgment bringing shame might lead to their turning towards the God they sought to defy.

Psalm 83 16 Word analysis

• Fill: The Hebrew word is מַלֵּא (mallē’), meaning to fill completely, satisfy, or accomplish. It signifies a complete, overwhelming saturation. The request is not for a partial or superficial shame, but a profound and inescapable experience of dishonor.
• their faces: The Hebrew is פְּנֵיהֶם (p'nêyhem). "Faces" in this context refers not merely to a physical appearance but encompasses the entire person, their reputation, honor, and public standing. To cover one's face with shame is a complete public humiliation and exposure of their defeat, indicating a loss of dignity and self-respect. It suggests a shame so potent that it would be openly manifest.
• with shame: The Hebrew word is קָלוֹן (qālôn), denoting deep disgrace, ignominy, or utter dishonor. It is often the result of a significant failure, public exposure of wrongdoing, or severe defeat. In the context of a military defeat, this shame would be a powerful realization of the futility of their trust in their own strength or their idols. This shame serves as God's instrument for conviction.
• that they may seek: The Hebrew verb is וִיבַקְשׁוּ (wîḇaqshū), a jussive form often expressing purpose or outcome. It translates as "that they might diligently seek" or "earnestly look for." This signifies a deliberate, earnest turning and searching for something. This clause transforms the imprecation from mere vengeance into a divinely intended path toward spiritual awakening. The judgment is purposeful, not punitive for its own sake.
• your name: The Hebrew is שִׁמְךָ (shiməḵā), referring to God’s “name.” In ancient Near Eastern thought and particularly in biblical theology, "the name" of God (Yahweh) is not just a label but signifies His entire being, character, reputation, attributes, authority, and presence. To "seek God’s name" means to seek Him personally, to acknowledge His identity and supremacy, to humble oneself before Him, to call upon Him in repentance, worship, and reliance. It is a quest for a living relationship with the one true God, acknowledging His covenant fidelity and omnipotence.
• O LORD: This refers to the sacred Hebrew tetragrammaton, יְהוָה (Yahweh), the personal, covenant name of God revealed to Moses. Its inclusion here is significant as it underlines the polemic nature of the prayer: the enemies of God's people, who likely worshipped other deities, are to be brought to acknowledge Yahweh as the unique, sovereign, and true God, distinct from any idols or false gods. It emphasizes that it is specifically the God of Israel whom they are meant to seek.

Psalm 83 16 Bonus section

The movement from aggressive imprecations in preceding verses (e.g., Psa 83:13-15 where enemies are likened to whirlwind-chased stubble and forests consumed by fire) to the spiritual purpose in verse 16 highlights a sophisticated understanding of divine judgment. It differentiates biblical justice from mere human vengeance; God's judgments, even when severe, serve His ultimate plan of revelation and salvation. This verse establishes that the primary concern of the psalmist is not simply the physical elimination of enemies, but the vindication of God's name and His ultimate recognition by all nations. This desire aligns with universal prophetic visions where all nations will eventually acknowledge the Lord (Zep 3:9; Isa 2:2-4). It suggests that sometimes, humbling adversity is God's profound tool for spiritual awakening, echoing the New Testament principle that even those who reject God must eventually acknowledge His supreme authority (Php 2:9-11).

Psalm 83 16 Commentary

Psalm 83:16 is a profoundly significant verse within an imprecatory psalm, transforming the nature of its curses from purely vindictive to ultimately redemptive. While the Psalmist implores God to bring severe disgrace upon the enemies who conspired against Israel, the ultimate goal is not their utter annihilation for annihilation’s sake, but rather their spiritual transformation. The desired "shame" (qālôn) is a public and humiliating exposure of their arrogant rebellion and the impotency of their false gods. This painful realization is intended as a divine means to an end: that "they may seek Your name, O LORD." This profound phrase, "seek your name," implies much more than mere curiosity; it denotes a desperate, earnest turning to acknowledge, trust, and worship the one true God (Yahweh) whom they previously defied.

This verse reveals a powerful aspect of God's justice: it often carries a redemptive potential. Even in judgment, God provides an opportunity for revelation and repentance. The requested shame is thus a "chastisement of mercy," designed to break through their arrogance and blindness, leading them to the knowledge of God’s sovereignty. It showcases a prayerful desire not just for victory for Israel, but for the glory of Yahweh to be recognized universally, even by His adversaries. This ultimate aim resonates with broader biblical themes of God's desire that all might come to repentance and know Him, demonstrating His profound patience and willingness to offer grace even to those who oppose Him, thereby extending His saving grace. The humbling experience, if embraced, leads to a profound encounter with divine truth.