Psalm 83 is a “Go get ’em, God!” song. A psalm of Asaph composed as a lament for a people under threat by their enemies. It’s an “arise O’ God” psalm. A “do not keep silence; do not hold Your peace or be still, O God!” (v.1) song.

But here’s what grabs me this morning, it’s also a “save them, O God!” song.

Fill their faces with shame,
       that they may seek Your name, O LORD.
Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever;
       let them perish in disgrace,
that they may know that You alone,
       whose name is the LORD,
       are the Most High over all the earth.

(Psalm 83:16-18 ESV)

That they may seek Your name, O LORD . . . that’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

Sing the song and, make no mistake, the songwriter wants his people’s enemies to fall. But he also wants them to become followers.

He wants them to be conquered yet cries out that they would also be converted. While pleading for relief for God’s people, the psalmist also petitions for a rebirth among those who oppose God’s people. For to seek the LORD and to know the LORD as the Most High is to have eternal life (John 17:3).

How’s that for blessing those who persecute you (Rom. 12:14)? How’s that for loving your enemies (Matt. 5:44)? How’s that so not like us?

Enemies are real. Praying for their defeat makes sense. Persecution and oppression, no joke. Wanting rescue, understandable. Defending doctrine and jealous for God, all good. But there’s a bottom line for the people of God who are to be the channel through which “all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 12:3). That even the defeat of our enemies should be not just for our good but, according to God’s steadfast love and His amazing grace, for their deliverance.

Enemies who, by God’s kindness — even His severe kindness, might repent and become family (Rom. 2:4, 11:22). That should be our heart even amidst the heat. That should be our aspiration even when we’re arguing (though, technically, the man of God / the woman of God should not be arguing . . . see 2Tim. 2:24-25). Even when we are taking it in the teeth — even when God’s “enemies make an uproar” and “lay crafty plans” against His people (Ps. 83:2-3), as we cry out for relief it should be with a desire that God’s rescue on our behalf would be used to bring about repentance on their’s.

Really? How we gonna do that? I don’t think I have what it takes to love my enemies like that. Yet not I, “but Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).

That they may seek Your name, O LORD. Would that be why we fight the good fight. Would that be why we contend for the faith. Would that be why we stand fast and stand firm. Would that be why we cry out for deliverance when the darkness seems to prevail.

” . . . that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

(John 17:3b ESV)

By His grace. Through His Spirit.

For our enemies’ good.

For our God’s glory.

Amen?