Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The taunt "Aha, aha!" wasn't just a casual insult; it was a mocking cheer, an expression of gleeful malice at someone else's suffering. The verse declares that those who revel in another's downfall, exclaiming "Aha!" at their pain, will themselves be met with devastating ruin as a fitting consequence of their cruel delight.
Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse emerges from a place of deep personal distress and confession; the psalmist has been overwhelmed by troubles and acknowledges his own sinfulness. He then shifts to calling upon God to deliver him from those who mock and rejoice in his suffering, specifically those who cry out "Aha!" in malicious glee. This imprecation for divine judgment on his enemies directly follows his plea for deliverance and his affirmation of trust in God.
Ever heard someone snicker or say "Aha!" when you messed up? This verse captures that sting, but on a much grander scale.
The phrase "Aha, aha!" here isn't just a casual sound; it's the vocalization of malicious pleasure and triumph. It's the sound of enemies exulting over someone's misfortune, as if to say, 'We knew you'd fail!' or 'Look at you now!' This was a deeply shameful act, a public display of contempt and mockery. The Psalmist is pinpointing the specific taunts and cruel joy of those who sought his downfall.
The Psalmist doesn't just wish ill on his enemies; he asks God for a specific kind of justice. What does 'desolation' really mean here?
The word 'desolate' carries a sense of being laid waste, astonished, or utterly overthrown. It's not just about personal ruin, but about the complete failure and barrenness of their wicked schemes. The Psalmist prays that this desolation will be their 'reward' – not a reward they earned through good deeds, but a recompense for their shameful actions and mockery. It's a prayer that God's justice will bring about the downfall and undoing of those who actively sought to shame and destroy His servant.
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This passage also describes enemies gleefully saying "Aha!" and "Well!" at the misfortune of the psalmist, directly paralleling the taunting mentioned in Psalm 40:15.
Psalm 70:3This verse is nearly identical, praying 'May they be turned back because of their shame who say,
Luke 23:35When Jesus is on the cross, the rulers and soldiers mock Him, saying 'He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ, the Chosen One of God!' This echoes the malicious 'aha, aha' of Psalm 40:15, showing the same contemptuous joy at perceived downfall.
Matthew 27:39-40The mocking of Jesus by passersby, who taunt Him to come down from the cross if He is the Son of God, reflects the same spirit of 'aha, aha' – delighting in someone's suffering and humiliation.
Lamentations 1:16The imagery of desolation ('Let them be desolate') prayed for in Psalm 40:15 finds a poignant echo in Lamentations, where the prophet describes the utter devastation of Jerusalem by God, a consequence of its sin and rebellion.
clarkePsalms 40:15: "Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha."
That say unto me, Aha, aha - האח האח. See on Psalm 35:21 (note).
jfbPsalms 40:15: "Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha."
- for a reward—literally, "in consequence of."Aha—(Compare Ps 35:21, 25).
The taunt "Aha, aha!" wasn't just a casual insult; it was a mocking cheer, an expression of gleeful malice at someone else's suffering. The verse declares that those who revel in another's downfall, exclaiming "Aha!" at their pain, will themselves be met with devastating ruin as a fitting consequence of their cruel delight.
This verse emerges from a place of deep personal distress and confession; the psalmist has been overwhelmed by troubles and acknowledges his own sinfulness. He then shifts to calling upon God to deliver him from those who mock and rejoice in his suffering, specifically those who cry out "Aha!" in malicious glee. This imprecation for divine judgment on his enemies directly follows his plea for deliverance and his affirmation of trust in God.
This verse emerges from a place of deep personal distress and confession; the psalmist has been overwhelmed by troubles and acknowledges his own sinfulness. He then shifts to calling upon God to deliver him from those who mock and rejoice in his suffering, specifically those who cry out "Aha!" in malicious glee. This imprecation for divine judgment on his enemies directly follows his plea for deliverance and his affirmation of trust in God.
"Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”" — The taunt "Aha, aha!" wasn't just a casual insult; it was a mocking cheer, an expression of gleeful malice at someone else's suffering. The verse declares that those who revel in another's downfall,…
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Last reviewed October 2026