King James Version

What Does Psalms 83:16 Mean?

Psalms 83:16 in the King James Version says “Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 83 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.”

Psalms 83:16 · KJV

Context

14

As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;

15

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

16

Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.

17

Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:

18

That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

Read Psalms 83 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD. This remarkable verse reveals the ultimate purpose behind the psalm's imprecatory petitions: not merely destruction of enemies but their conversion to worship of Israel's God. The Hebrew male pneihem qalon (מַלֵּא פְנֵיהֶם קָלוֹן, "fill their faces with shame") requests humiliation that breaks pride and compels recognition of God's supremacy. Shame here isn't vindictive but redemptive—designed to produce repentance.

"That they may seek thy name" (vi-vaqshu shimcha, וִיבַקְשׁוּ שִׁמְךָ) expresses the prayer's true goal. The verb baqash (בָּקַשׁ) means "to seek earnestly, to search for, to inquire after"—indicating genuine pursuit of relationship with God, not merely acknowledgment of His power. The enemies' military defeat should lead them to seek the God they opposed, transforming adversaries into worshipers. This anticipates God's ultimate purpose for all nations: that His name be glorified throughout the earth.

"O LORD" (Yahweh, יְהוָה) uses God's covenant name—His personal, revealed identity. The prayer asks that pagan nations who know only their false gods would come to know Yahweh, the true and living God. This missionary impulse runs throughout the Psalms: "Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people" (Psalm 96:3). Even judgment serves evangelical purpose—demonstrating God's reality and inviting submission to His lordship.

This verse transforms the psalm's imprecatory language from mere vengeance-seeking to missional purpose. Military defeat and national humiliation aren't ends but means toward the greater end of bringing all nations to worship the LORD. God's judgments aren't capricious punishments but redemptive discipline aimed at turning hearts toward Him. When human pride is broken, souls become receptive to divine truth.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Gentile Conversion and Israel's Missionary Purpose

Israel's covenant calling included being "a light to the Gentiles" (Isaiah 42:6, 49:6). Through Israel, all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3) and come to know the true God. Yet Israel often failed this mission, becoming isolated and hostile toward Gentiles rather than witnessing to them. Psalm 83:16 captures the proper tension: opposing enemies who threaten God's people while simultaneously desiring their eventual conversion.

Biblical history records several instances of enemy nations coming to faith through Israel's God. Rahab (Joshua 2:8-11) and Ruth (Ruth 1:16) confessed Yahweh after witnessing His mighty acts. Naaman the Syrian worshiped Israel's God after being healed (2 Kings 5:15). Nineveh repented at Jonah's preaching (Jonah 3:5-10). Daniel's testimony brought Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge God's sovereignty (Daniel 4:34-37). These conversions resulted from displays of divine power that shamed false confidence in other gods.

The prophets envisioned a day when all nations would stream to Jerusalem to worship Yahweh (Isaiah 2:2-3, Micah 4:1-2, Zechariah 8:20-23). This universalist hope didn't erase particularism—Israel remained God's chosen people—but it expanded God's purposes beyond Israel's ethnic boundaries to encompass all humanity. Even enemies could become worshipers through recognizing God's supremacy.

The New Testament fulfills this vision through Christ. The gospel breaks down barriers between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:14-16), creating one new humanity united in worship of Yahweh revealed in Jesus. The church's mission continues Psalm 83:16's prayer: that all peoples, even those currently hostile to the gospel, would be confronted with God's truth, have their pride humbled, and seek the LORD's name in genuine faith. Persecution of Christians ultimately serves this purpose when it demonstrates faith's authenticity and prompts examination of Christian claims.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse transform the psalm's imprecatory language from vengeance-seeking to evangelistic purpose?
  2. What does it mean for God to "fill faces with shame," and how can humiliation serve redemptive purposes?
  3. How should Christians pray for enemies—both personal enemies and enemies of the gospel—in light of this verse?
  4. What biblical examples demonstrate enemies coming to faith after experiencing defeat or shame that broke their pride?
  5. How does the ultimate goal of enemies seeking God's name affect how we engage in spiritual warfare and apologetic confrontation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
מַלֵּ֣א1 of 6

“Fill”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

פְנֵיהֶ֣ם2 of 6

“their faces”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

קָל֑וֹן3 of 6

“with shame”

H7036

disgrace; (by implication) the pudenda

וִֽיבַקְשׁ֖וּ4 of 6

“that they may seek”

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

שִׁמְךָ֣5 of 6

“thy name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יְהוָֽה׃6 of 6

“O LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 83:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 83:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 9:19-20Psalms 6:10Psalms 109:29Psalms 132:18Job 10:15Psalms 34:5

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