Confounded and Troubled - Psalms 83:17

In Psalms chapter eighty three Asaph spoke of the enemies of Israel and said, “Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek your name, O LORD”, and in chapter eighty three and verse seventeen of Psalms Asaph said, “let them be confounded and troubled for ever”, where we read,

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

The verse begins, “Let them be confounded and troubled for ever;” Asaph began with the words, “let them be confounded” or “allow and permit them, the enemies of Jehovah God and Israel, to exist as shamed, disconcerted and disappointed” “and troubled” which means “and disturbed, alarmed, terrified, anxious and afraid” “for ever” or “unto perpetuity, perpetually and to continuous existence”. Asaph wanted Jehovah God to allow His and the people of Israel's enemies to be shamed, disconcerted and terrified perpetually.

The verse goes on to say, “yes, let them be put to shame, and perish:” Asaph continued with the words, “yes, let them” or “even so and indeed, allow and permit them, Jehovah God and the people of Israel's enemies” “be put to shame” which means “to exist as ashamed, abashed and embarrassed”, “and perish” or “and vanished, exterminated and lost”. Asaph beckoned Jehovah God to allow His and the people of Israel's enemies to be ashamed, embarrassed and exterminated.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how Asaph did not hold back on his desire for Jehovah God to eliminate His and the people of Israel's enemies. He wanted them to be disappointed, embarrassed and afraid, and he desired that they be lost unto perpetuity. It is no mystery how Asaph stood in opposition to the enemies of Jehovah God and Israel, however, this is not God's first choice for those who rise up against Him. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the errors, mistakes and missing of the mark of every person, and whoever puts their faith and trust in Him will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Otherwise, they exist as the “enemies” of God. James the apostle wrote, “You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God”, (See James 4:4) and we all have need to humble ourselves, repent of our sins and receive Jesus into our lives. Those who yield to God's way will be saved, and those who do not, remain in their sinful state and are as enemies of Jehovah God whom He shall judge.

Next time Asaph says, “That men may know that you, whose name alone is JEHOVAH”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".