Psalms 83:15 - so pursue them with your tempest, and terrify them with your storm.

Generated Verse: Psalms 83:15

What does "Psalms 83:15" mean?


Psalm 83 is a prayer for God to defeat Israel's enemies who are conspiring to wipe them out. Verse 15, "So pursue them with your tempest, and terrify them with your storm," is a plea for God to use powerful and destructive forces to overwhelm and frighten these enemies. Let's break it down:

"Pursue them with your tempest": A "tempest" is a violent windstorm, often accompanied by rain, snow, or hail. The psalmist is asking God to relentlessly chase after the enemies with this devastating force. It speaks to a forceful and unrelenting attack.

"Terrify them with your storm": A "storm" is another powerful and destructive weather phenomenon. The psalmist is asking God to strike fear into the hearts of the enemies through this storm. It suggests a psychological effect as well as a physical one; the enemies should be so frightened by God's power that they are demoralized.

Overall meaning: The verse is a prayer for God to actively intervene and defeat Israel's enemies using overwhelming force, both physically and psychologically. It's a request for divine judgment and protection.

Figurative Language: It's important to note that the "tempest" and "storm" are likely metaphors for God's power and judgment. They represent the ways in which God can bring about destruction and defeat upon those who oppose Him and his people. God might use natural disasters, military defeats, or other forms of adversity to accomplish this.

Context is Key: To understand this verse fully, it is important to consider the specific historical context of Psalm 83. The psalm lists a coalition of nations that are plotting to destroy Israel. The psalmist sees this as an act of defiance against God himself and appeals to God to defend his name and his people.