Psalms 35:26
Let them be put to shame and disappointed altogether who rejoice at my calamity! Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me!
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The striking thing here is how the enemies' actions are mirrored in their downfall; their rejoicing in the psalmist's hurt and their self-magnification are precisely what they will be "clothed with" – shame and dishonor. This isn't just a curse; it's a prophecy of their own pride and malice becoming the very instruments of their humiliation.
The psalmist, feeling unjustly attacked and betrayed, cries out to God for vindication. He describes his enemies as rejoicing in his suffering and boasting against him, even as he has shown them kindness. This verse is a plea for God to turn the tables on these malicious adversaries, ensuring they face the same shame they've inflicted on him.
Have you ever felt the sting of someone else's delight in your struggles? David knows that feeling all too well. This psalm paints a stark picture of what happens to those who revel in another's pain.
This verse speaks of two intertwined consequences for those who oppose the righteous: shame and dishonor.
For Their Malice
"Let them be put to shame and disappointed altogether who rejoice at my calamity!"
This is a prayer for a divine reversal. Those who eagerly await and celebrate the downfall of the godly will themselves be met with utter confusion and disappointment. Their malicious joy will turn to bitter regret.
For Their Pride
"Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me!"
This speaks to the arrogant pride of the enemies. They puffed themselves up, acting as if they were invincible and David was beneath them. God's response will be to cover them with the very shame and disgrace they sought to inflict, turning their pride into humiliation.
David isn't just asking for bad things to happen to his enemies. He's appealing to a higher standard – God's own righteousness. What does this mean for how God handles injustice?
The imprecations (or strong prayers for judgment) in this psalm, including verse 26, are rooted in David's trust in God's justice.
The Basis for Prayer
David appeals to God's righteousness (as seen in verse 24, 'Judge me... according to thy righteousness'). This isn't a plea based on David's own merit alone, but on the character of God. God, being inherently righteous, cannot let injustice and malicious rejoicing go unchecked.
The Outcome of Judgment
When God judges, the outcome is not arbitrary. For those who delight in the suffering of others and exalt themselves in pride, the result is precisely the opposite of what they intended: shame and dishonor. God reverses their celebration and humbles their pride, demonstrating His own power and justice. This isn't about petty revenge, but about the ultimate vindication of righteousness.
Understand the original words
bosh · Hebrew Verb
To be put to shame implies experiencing a sense of confusion, disappointment, or humiliation, often resulting from the failure of one's wicked plans or a false sense of security before God. It stands in contrast to the confidence and vindication found in the Lord.
ra'ah · Hebrew Noun
Calamity refers to disaster, ruin, or misfortune. In the Psalms, it often describes the trials faced by the righteous at the hands of the wicked, who mistakenly rejoice when God’s people suffer.
kelimmah · Hebrew Noun
Dishonor refers to the state of being disgraced or humiliated. It represents the loss of status and reputation that comes upon those who set themselves against God and His anointed, serving as the opposite of the honor given to the righteous.
This psalm vividly captures the experience of a righteous person under severe persecution, likely reflecting David's own turmoil as he was hunted by King Saul. The intense language of shame and confusion for enemies highlights the deep distress and fervent hope for divine vindication experienced during times of unjust attack and slander.
c. 1030 BC— this verse
Saul's Persecution of David
King Saul, deeply jealous of David's popularity and military success, relentlessly pursued David, seeking to kill him. David was forced to live as a fugitive.
c. 1020 BC
David's Near Misses
During Saul's pursuit, David had multiple opportunities to kill Saul but refused, showing respect for God's anointed king. This period was marked by intense danger and betrayal for David.
c. 1010 BC
Saul's Death
Saul and his son Jonathan were killed in battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. This marked the end of Saul's reign and the cessation of his direct persecution of David.
c. 1010-1003 BC
David's Reign in Hebron
After Saul's death, David was anointed king over Judah and reigned from Hebron. This period still involved conflict and political maneuvering.
This passage shares a very similar imprecation, praying for shame and confusion upon those who seek the psalmist's destruction, highlighting a consistent theme of divine justice against oppressors.
Job 8:22The imagery of being 'clothed with shame' finds a parallel here, illustrating the complete covering of disgrace that will befall the wicked, just as the righteous will be clothed in honor.
2 Thessalonians 1:6This New Testament passage echoes the principle found in the psalm: God's righteousness ensures that those who cause trouble will be recompensed, affirming the ultimate vindication of the righteous.
Psalms 70:2This verse is almost identical to Psalm 35:26, reinforcing the urgent plea for God's intervention and the downfall of those who delight in the suffering of others.
Proverbs 24:17While not a direct imprecation, this proverb warns against rejoicing in an enemy's fall, connecting to the sin of rejoicing at another's calamity mentioned in the psalm.
calvinPsalms 35:24-28: "Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me."
- Judge me, O Jehovah my God! According to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. 25. Let them not say in their heart, Aha! our soul! [721] let them not say, We have swallowed him up. 26. Let those who rejoice at my hurt be ashamed and confounded together; let those who magnify themselves against me be clothed with shame and dishonor. 27. But let those who favor my right…
clarkePsalms 35:26: "Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me."
Let them be ashamed - This may be a prophetic declaration against Saul and his courtiers. They were ashamed, confounded, clothed with shame, and dishonored. All these took place in Saul's last battle with the Philistines, where he lost his crown and his life, and came to a most dishonorable end.
The striking thing here is how the enemies' actions are mirrored in their downfall; their rejoicing in the psalmist's hurt and their self-magnification are precisely what they will be "clothed with" – shame and dishonor. This isn't just a curse; it's a prophecy of their own pride and malice becoming the very instruments of their humiliation.
The psalmist, feeling unjustly attacked and betrayed, cries out to God for vindication. He describes his enemies as rejoicing in his suffering and boasting against him, even as he has shown them kindness. This verse is a plea for God to turn the tables on these malicious adversaries, ensuring they face the same shame they've inflicted on him.
The psalmist, feeling unjustly attacked and betrayed, cries out to God for vindication. He describes his enemies as rejoicing in his suffering and boasting against him, even as he has shown them kindness. This verse is a plea for God to turn the tables on these malicious adversaries, ensuring they face the same shame they've inflicted on him.
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"Let them be put to shame and disappointed altogether who rejoice at my calamity! Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me!" — The striking thing here is how the enemies' actions are mirrored in their downfall; their rejoicing in the psalmist's hurt and their self-magnification are precisely what they will be "clothed with"…
