Psalms 83:17 Meaning and Explanation
“Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist asks God to ensure the enemies' complete and permanent defeat.
The Context of Psalms 83:17
Prayer for the enemies' permanent and final defeat.
What Does Psalms 83:17 Mean?
Confounded and troubled means disoriented and distressed. For ever emphasizes permanence: not temporary defeat but lasting ruin. Put to shame and perish returns to the language of utter destruction. This is the fullest statement of the prayer's request: permanent disorientation and final defeat.
The repetition and intensity at this late point in the psalm suggest the psalmist is gathering all the prayer's threads. The request is clear and unambiguous: God should ensure that these enemies never recover, never threaten again, never rise to power.
Psalms 83:17 in the Original Language
bushah (בּוּשָׁה), 'put to shame' — to be disgraced, humiliated, left dishonored.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 83:17
What does Psalms 83:17 mean?
The psalmist asks God to ensure the enemies' complete and permanent defeat.
What is the context of Psalms 83:17?
Prayer for the enemies' permanent and final defeat.