Psalms 83:15

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

Psalms 83:15 (KJV)

Context

Psalm 83 is a prayer of Asaph, a worship leader in Israel, crying out against a confederacy of nations that conspired to destroy God’s people. The psalmist lists these enemies and then asks God to act with power. In the preceding verses, he compares them to tumbleweed, chaff, and fire that consumes a forest. The word “so” at the start of this verse connects the request to those images. The tempest and storm are not ordinary weather; they are pictures of God’s mighty judgment.

Meaning

When the psalmist prays, “persecute them with thy tempest,” he asks God to pursue the enemies with overwhelming force. The word “persecute” means to chase or follow after. He wants God to actively hunt them down, not simply wait for them to stumble. The tempest and storm show the intensity of God’s power, so strong that no one can withstand them. The second request, “make them afraid with thy storm,” reveals that the goal is not only defeat but also terror. This fear would remind the enemies of God’s authority and discourage them from attacking again.

Biblical connections

Throughout Scripture, storms often represent God’s presence and judgment. Job 9:17 speaks of God crushing with a tempest, and Psalm 50:3 describes God coming with a storm before Him. These passages show that the psalmist is not asking for random destruction. He is calling on the same God who rules nature to defend His people. The purpose of this judgment is not cruelty. Later verses reveal that the psalmist hopes the enemies will be ashamed and seek God’s name, and that all nations will know that the LORD alone is the Most High over the earth.

Application

This verse teaches us to bring our fears and troubles to God in prayer. The psalmist did not try to fight the nations alone; he trusted God to act. In the same way, we can ask God to protect us and to bring justice when we are treated wrongly. However, we must align our hearts with God’s will, not seeking personal revenge but asking God to defend His people and display His power. This prayer also reminds us that God is sovereign over all nations and circumstances. No enemy is too strong for Him.

Reflection

The imagery of the tempest and storm calls us to worship. God’s power is awe-inspiring and holy. He can calm the storm, and He can also send it to accomplish His purposes. When we face opposition, we can rest in the knowledge that God sees and will act in His perfect time. Like the psalmist, we can pray with confidence, knowing that God is our refuge and defender.