Psalms 83:13 Meaning and Explanation
“O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist prays for the enemies to be scattered and rendered powerless like chaff.
The Context of Psalms 83:13
Prayer for the enemies' unity to dissolve and their power to scatter.
What Does Psalms 83:13 Mean?
A wheel rolling away suggests chaos, disorganization, and helplessness. Stubble before the wind is even more vivid: dry remnants blown away by force, powerless and directionless. Both images convey the complete undoing of the enemies' unity and strength. The enemies who seemed so coordinated become scattered chaos.
This shift from describing the threat to praying for its reversal is decisive. The psalmist moves from naming what the enemies plan to asking God to undo it utterly. The prayer assumes that God's power can transform the enemies from a coordinated confederacy into helpless debris.
Psalms 83:13 in the Original Language
galgal (גַּלְגַּל), 'wheel' — a rolling wheel, suggesting circular motion without direction or purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 83:13
What does Psalms 83:13 mean?
The psalmist prays for the enemies to be scattered and rendered powerless like chaff.
What is the context of Psalms 83:13?
Prayer for the enemies' unity to dissolve and their power to scatter.