Psalms 83:15 Meaning and Explanation
“So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist asks God to chase the enemies with divine wrath experienced as tempest and storm.
The Context of Psalms 83:15
Prayer for God to pursue and terrify the enemies with divine wrath.
What Does Psalms 83:15 Mean?
Persecute means to chase or pursue relentlessly. God's tempest and storm are traditional images of His power and judgment. The prayer is not for quick death but for pursued, harried enemies who experience the terror of God's wrath pursuing them. Make them afraid emphasizes the psychological dimension: they will know they are hunted.
Storm imagery connects to God's power over nature and His transcendent authority. The enemies who planned destruction now become targets of God's relentless pursuit. The prayer shifts the dynamic entirely: the hunters become the hunted.
Psalms 83:15 in the Original Language
se'arah (סְעָרָה), 'tempest' — a whirlwind or violent storm, often God's instrument of judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 83:15
What does Psalms 83:15 mean?
The psalmist asks God to chase the enemies with divine wrath experienced as tempest and storm.
What is the context of Psalms 83:15?
Prayer for God to pursue and terrify the enemies with divine wrath.