Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse calls for the shame and disappointment of those seeking the psalmist's life, not out of vengeful anger, but as a confident prediction that their wicked plans will ultimately fail. This isn't a simple curse; it's a foregone conclusion based on God's justice, revealing a deep trust that evil will not prevail.
Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist, after recounting God’s past deliverance and expressing deep thankfulness, turns to face current troubles and enemies who wish him harm. He describes being surrounded by overwhelming iniquities and feeling his strength fail, leading to a desperate plea for God's intervention. This verse expresses a confident expectation, akin to a prayer, that those seeking his life will be utterly defeated and put to shame.
The psalmist calls for shame upon his enemies. What does this reveal about his confidence in God's ultimate justice?
In this verse, the psalmist isn't just expressing personal anger; he's declaring a confident expectation rooted in his faith. When he says, "Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life," he's proclaiming that God's justice will inevitably prevail. Their attempts to harm him will ultimately backfire, leading to their own dishonor. This isn't a curse; it's a declaration of faith in God's power to vindicate the righteous. The enemies' shame becomes a testament to God's faithfulness and power.
While calling for the shame of his enemies, the psalmist also points to the ultimate rejoicing of those who seek God. What's the connection?
The latter part of the verse, 'Let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!', contrasts sharply with the hopeful outlook for God's people. It highlights a fundamental divide: those who actively oppose God's servants will face ruin, while those who 'delight in my hurt' (meaning, rejoice in the downfall of God's chosen) will be brought to dishonor. This is a prelude to the concluding thought in the broader psalm: a celebration of God's faithfulness. The shame of the wicked serves to magnify the salvation and joy experienced by those who trust in the Lord.
Understand the original words
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bushah · Hebrew Noun
The state of being shamed or humiliated, often used in the Psalms to describe the public reversal of the wicked who oppose God's righteous ones. It signifies the failure of those who act against God's purposes.
This verse is a direct parallel, showing a repeated plea for the shame and confusion of those who actively seek to harm the psalmist.
Psalms 70:2This passage is a near-identical repetition of Psalm 40:14, highlighting the enduring relevance of this prayer for vindication against enemies.
1 Samuel 15:23While not a direct quotation, this verse's emphasis on obedience over outward show resonates with the underlying theme of righteous opposition to wickedness, contrasting it with the enemies' misguided desires.
Jeremiah 20:11This verse offers a similar perspective of confident expectation, stating that God is with the persecuted prophet 'like a mighty warrior,' implying that those who oppose will be confounded.
Romans 8:31This New Testament passage provides a powerful affirmation of God's support for those who are His, echoing the confidence that no enemy's schemes can ultimately succeed against the believer.
jfbPsalms 40:14: "Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil."
14, 15. The language is not necessarily imprecatory, but rather a confident expectation (Ps 5:11), though the former sense is not inconsistent with Christ's prayer for the forgiveness of His murderers, inasmuch as their confusion and shame might be the very means to prepare them for humbly seeking forgiveness (compare Ac 2:37).
pulpitPsalms 40:14: "Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil."
Verse 14. - Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward, and put to shame, that wish me evil. The remainder of the psalm from this point is detached later on in the Psalter, and becomes a separate psalm - the seventieth. Whether the detachment was the work of David or…
The verse calls for the shame and disappointment of those seeking the psalmist's life, not out of vengeful anger, but as a confident prediction that their wicked plans will ultimately fail. This isn't a simple curse; it's a foregone conclusion based on God's justice, revealing a deep trust that evil will not prevail.
The psalmist, after recounting God’s past deliverance and expressing deep thankfulness, turns to face current troubles and enemies who wish him harm. He describes being surrounded by overwhelming iniquities and feeling his strength fail, leading to a desperate plea for God's intervention. This verse expresses a confident expectation, akin to a prayer, that those seeking his life will be utterly defeated and put to shame.
The psalmist, after recounting God’s past deliverance and expressing deep thankfulness, turns to face current troubles and enemies who wish him harm. He describes being surrounded by overwhelming iniquities and feeling his strength fail, leading to a desperate plea for God's intervention. This verse expresses a confident expectation, akin to a prayer, that those seeking his life will be utterly defeated and put to shame.
"Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!" — The verse calls for the shame and disappointment of those seeking the psalmist's life, not out of vengeful anger, but as a confident prediction that their wicked plans will ultimately fail. This is…
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Last reviewed October 2026