Daily Devotions
Psalms
Psalm 83:15a "So pursue them with Your tempest..."
Day 233 – Psalm 83
“So pursue them with Your tempest…” Psalm 83:15a
A CHANGE OF IMAGERY
It is always fascinating to study the words that the Psalmists employed. Asaph was one who used strong imagery in his prayers offered to God. His words reveal much his depth of thought and theology.
“So pursue them with Your tempest,
And frighten them with Your storm.”
Psalm 83:15
1. “Pursue them with Your tempest”
a) This phrase may well indicate that Asaph was familiar with the story of Jonah.
b) God had sent a severe tempest to pursue Jonah.
c) What is the significance of this imagery?
i) It is a plea to God to exercise His great powers.
ii) It is a prayer to God to deal sternly with the enemies of Israel.
iii) If God could send forth a tempest to pursue Jonah could He not do this again?
2. “And frighten them with Your storm”
a) Asaph could well be thinking of the story of Jonah (Jonah 1).
b) The seafarer in the story of Jonah were greatly frightened by the severity of the storm that God had sent to pursue Jonah.
c) Significant phrases from Jonah 1
i) “Then the mariners were afraid…” (Jonah 1:5a).
ii) “Then the men were exceedingly afraid…” (Jonah 1:10a).
iii) “Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly…” (Jonah 1:16a).
d) What did Asaph hope for?
i) He hoped that the enemies would have a healthy fear of the Lord.
ii) Perhaps with this fear of the Lord they would cease from plotting evil against Israel.
However, Asaph knew that it would be up to God to determine what He would do!