Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 83:16

"Fill their faces with confusion, That they may seek thy name, O Jehovah." — Psalms 83:16 (ASV)

Fill their faces with shame — As those who are disappointed and foiled in their plans—such disappointment and confusion commonly manifesting itself in the face. The prayer here is that their enemies might be so baffled in their designs—that they might be made to feel so keenly how vain and hopeless all their plans were—that there might be such a manifest interposition of God in the situation that they would be led to see that Yahweh reigned, that it was futile to contend with Him, and that His people were under His protection.

That they may seek thy name, O Lord — That they may be led to seek You. This explains the purpose and design of the whole prayer in the psalm. It is not a malignant prayer for the destruction of their enemies; it is not a wish that they might be made to suffer; but it is a prayer that the divine dealing might be such as to lead them to the acknowledgment of the true God. It is a benevolent thing to desire that people may be brought to the knowledge of the true God, even if it is through the discomfiture of their own plans, by defeat, or by suffering. Anything that leads people to an acquaintance with God, and results in securing His friendship and favor, is a gain and will be a cause of thankfulness in the end.