Psalms 83 · Grade 5
That They May Seek Your Name
Read and Think
The title of Psalm 83 calls it a song and a Psalm by Asaph. It is the last of the Asaph psalms in this section. It is a national lament in the face of a coalition. Edom, the Ishmaelites, Moab, the Hagrites, Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia, Tyre and Assyria have joined forces. Their goal is total: that the name of Israel may be remembered no more. Because they are attacking God's people, Asaph says, They form an alliance against you.
Asaph appeals to history. Do to them as you did to Midian, as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the river Kishon. He names Oreb, Zeeb, Zebah and Zalmunna, the Midianite leaders Gideon defeated. Then he piles up images: tumbleweed, chaff before the wind, fire that burns a forest, and a storm that terrifies. These imprecatory lines hand the enemy over to God rather than calling Israel to revenge.
The prayer has a surprising aim. Fill their faces with confusion, that they may seek your name, Yahweh. Even judgment is meant to lead people to God. The psalm ends with its central truth: that they may know that you alone, whose name is Yahweh, are the Most High over all the earth. The final concern is not Israel's victory but God's name being known.
Show What You Know
What was the coalition's goal?
Why does Asaph say the alliance is against God?
What do the imprecatory lines do?
What is the final concern of the psalm?
Crossword
Across
- That the ____ of Israel may be remembered no more.
- Are the Most ____ over all the earth.
Down
- Whose name is ____.
- That they may ____ your name.
- Are the Most High over all the ____.
Think About It
How does praying for enemies to seek God change the way we see them?
Why is God's name being known more important than winning?
Memory Verse
“Fill their faces with confusion, that they may seek your name, Yahweh.”
Psalms 83:16 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for your great name. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- What does it mean that God alone is Most High?
- How can your hard times show others how great God is?
- What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.