What does Psalm 83:17 mean?

In this verse Asaph prays again that Israel's enemies would be put to shame. The prior verse (Psalm 83:16) added a hopeful note, suggesting that those suffering God's judgment might turn to Him and be rescued. Here, the "imprecation"—the open desire to see harm—presumes that most of God's enemies have no interest in repentance. This passage measures only by entire nations; even a person living in one of those depraved cultures had opportunity to leave and gain relationship with God.

The reason Asaph appeals for "shame," "disgrace," "perishing," and such seems to be a concern that these nations will survive and come back once again to attack. This is reasonable; one of Israels' long-term foes were the Midianites. God knew that such a depraved culture was a threat (Numbers 31:1–17). Because Israel failed to eliminate that danger entirely, Midian recuperated and once again harmed the Israelites (Judges 6:1–2).

Rather than see another cycle of response—buildup—disaster, Asaph wishes that these enemy nations be wiped out. He wants all their power, prestige, and ability to vanish. Psalm 59:8, 13 echoes this desire: "But you, O LORD, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision. … Consume them in wrath; consume them till they are no more, that they may know that God rules over Jacob to the ends of the earth." Someday, the nations that forget God will return to sheol (Psalm 9:17). They will never again be able to oppose God and His people.