Psalms 35:4
Psalms 35:4 in Multiple Translations
May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plan to harm me be driven back and confounded.
Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
Let them be put to shame and brought to dishonor that seek after my soul: Let them be turned back and confounded that devise my hurt.
Let them be overcome and put to shame who make attempts to take my soul; let those who would do me damage be turned back and made foolish.
Shame them! Humiliate those who are trying to kill me! Turn them back! Disgrace those who are planning to hurt me!
Let them be confounded and put to shame, that seeke after my soule: let them be turned backe, and brought to confusion, that imagine mine hurt.
They are ashamed and blush, those seeking my soul, Turned backward and confounded, Those devising my evil.
Let those who seek after my soul be disappointed and brought to dishonor. Let those who plot my ruin be turned back and confounded.
Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
The words of his mouth are iniquity and guile: he would not understand that he might do well.
Cause those who are trying to kill me to be defeated and disgraced! Cause those who are planning to do evil things to me to be pushed back and become confused!
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 35:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 35:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יֵבֹ֣שׁוּ
וְ/יִכָּלְמוּ֮
מְבַקְשֵׁ֪י
נַ֫פְשִׁ֥/י
יִסֹּ֣גוּ
אָח֣וֹר
וְ/יַחְפְּר֑וּ
חֹ֝שְׁבֵ֗י
רָעָתִֽ/י
יֵבֹ֣שׁוּ
bûwsh
H954
be ashamed
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
וְ/יִכָּלְמוּ֮
kâlam
H3637
be humiliated
Conj | V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp
מְבַקְשֵׁ֪י
bâqash
H1245
to seek
V-Piel
נַ֫פְשִׁ֥/י
nephesh
H5315
soul
N-cs | Suff
יִסֹּ֣גוּ
çûwg
H5472
to turn
V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp
אָח֣וֹר
ʼâchôwr
H268
back
N-ms
וְ/יַחְפְּר֑וּ
châphêr
H2659
be ashamed
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
חֹ֝שְׁבֵ֗י
châshab
H2803
to devise
V-Qal
רָעָתִֽ/י
raʻ
H7451
bad
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 35:4
יֵבֹ֣שׁוּ
bûwsh
H954
"be ashamed"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To be ashamed is what this Hebrew word means, implying a feeling of guilt or disappointment. It is used to describe someone who is disconcerted or delayed, like in the story of Adam and Eve. Shame is a strong emotion.
Definition: 1) to put to shame, be ashamed, be disconcerted, be disappointed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to feel shame 1a2) to be ashamed, disconcerted, disappointed (by reason of) 1b) (Piel) to delay (in shame) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to put to shame 1c2) to act shamefully 1c3) to be ashamed 1d) (Hithpolel) to be ashamed before one another
Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: (be, make, bring to, cause, put to, with, a-) shamed(-d), be (put to) confounded(-fusion), become dry, delay, be long. See also: Genesis 2:25; Isaiah 24:23; Psalms 6:11.
וְ/יִכָּלְמוּ֮
kâlam
H3637
"be humiliated"
Conj | V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp
To be humiliated means to be insulted or shamed, as seen in the Bible's use of this word to describe people's reactions to their mistakes. It is about feeling ashamed or reproached.
Definition: 1) to insult, shame, humiliate, blush, be ashamed, be put to shame, be reproached, be put to confusion, be humiliated 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be humiliated, be ashamed 1a2) to be put to shame, be dishonoured, be confounded 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to put to shame, insult, humiliate, cause shame to 1b2) to exhibit shame 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be insulted, be humiliated 1c2) to be put to shame, be dishonoured, be confounded
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: be (make) ashamed, blush, be confounded, be put to confusion, hurt, reproach, (do, put to) shame. See also: Numbers 12:14; Proverbs 25:8; Psalms 35:4.
מְבַקְשֵׁ֪י
bâqash
H1245
"to seek"
V-Piel
This Hebrew verb means to seek or search for something. In Psalm 105:4, it's used to encourage seeking God's face. It's also used in 1 Samuel 28:8 where Saul seeks a medium.
Definition: 1) to seek, require, desire, exact, request 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to seek to find 1a2) to seek to secure 1a3) to seek the face 1a4) to desire, demand 1a5) to require, exact 1a6) to ask, request 1b) (Pual) to be sought
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for). See also: Genesis 31:39; Esther 7:7; Psalms 4:3.
נַ֫פְשִׁ֥/י
nephesh
H5315
"soul"
N-cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
יִסֹּ֣גוּ
çûwg
H5472
"to turn"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp
The Hebrew word çûwg means to turn back or go back, and can also imply apostasy or backsliding. In the KJV translation, it is often used to describe someone who turns away from God or their faith, as seen in various biblical passages.
Definition: 1) to move, go, turn back, move away, backslide 1a) (Qal) to backslide, prove recreant to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to turn oneself away, turn back 1b2) to be turned or driven back, be repulsed Also means: sug (שׂוּג "to turn back" H7734)
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: backslider, drive, go back, turn (away, back). See also: Psalms 35:4; Psalms 129:5; Psalms 40:15.
אָח֣וֹר
ʼâchôwr
H268
"back"
N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means the back or rear side of something. It can also refer to a location or direction, like the West. In Genesis, it describes the back of the Tabernacle.
Definition: 1) the back side, the rear 1a) backwards 1b) hereafter (of time) 1c) behind
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: after(-ward), back (part, -side, -ward), hereafter, (be-) hind(-er part), time to come, without. See also: Genesis 49:17; Psalms 129:5; Psalms 9:4.
וְ/יַחְפְּר֑וּ
châphêr
H2659
"be ashamed"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
Châphêr means to be ashamed or blush, often used to describe feeling embarrassed or guilty. In Ezra 9:6, the people are ashamed of their sins, recognizing their wrongdoing. It involves a sense of regret.
Definition: 1) to be ashamed, be confounded, be abashed, feel abashed 1a) (Qal) to be ashamed, be abashed 1b) (Hiphil) to display shame, demonstrate shame, cause embarrassment
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: be ashamed, be confounded, be brought to confusion (unto shame), come (be put to) shame, bring reproach. See also: Job 6:20; Proverbs 13:5; Psalms 34:6.
חֹ֝שְׁבֵ֗י
châshab
H2803
"to devise"
V-Qal
To devise means to think or plan something, often in a clever way. In the Bible, it can mean to plot or contrive, as seen in the story of David and Goliath.
Definition: : count/regard_as 1) to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, count 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to think, account 1a2) to plan, devise, mean 1a3) to charge, impute, reckon 1a4) to esteem, value, regard 1a5) to invent 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be accounted, be thought, be esteemed 1b2) to be computed, be reckoned 1b3) to be imputed 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to think upon, consider, be mindful of 1c2) to think to do, devise, plan 1c3) to count, reckon 1d) (Hithpael) to be considered
Usage: Occurs in 122 OT verses. KJV: (make) account (of), conceive, consider, count, cunning (man, work, workman), devise, esteem, find out, forecast, hold, imagine, impute, invent, be like, mean, purpose, reckon(-ing be made), regard, think. See also: Genesis 15:6; Psalms 35:4; Psalms 10:2.
רָעָתִֽ/י
raʻ
H7451
"bad"
N-fs | Suff
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
Study Notes — Psalms 35:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 35:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 35:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 35:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 35:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 35:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 35:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 35:4
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 35:4
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 35:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 35:4
- Sermons on Psalms 35:4
Context — Contend with My Opponents, O LORD
2Take up Your shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid.
3Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers; say to my soul: “I am your salvation.”
4May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plan to harm me be driven back and confounded.
5May they be like chaff in the wind, as the angel of the LORD drives them away. 6May their path be dark and slick, as the angel of the LORD pursues.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 70:2–3 | May those who seek my life be ashamed and confounded; may those who wish me harm be repelled and humiliated. May those who say, “Aha, aha!” retreat because of their shame. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 46:5 | Why am I seeing this? They are terrified, they are retreating; their warriors are defeated, they flee in haste without looking back; terror is on every side!” declares the LORD. |
| 3 | Psalms 35:26 | May those who gloat in my distress be ashamed and confounded; may those who exalt themselves over me be clothed in shame and reproach. |
| 4 | Psalms 38:12 | Those who seek my life lay snares; those who wish me harm speak destruction, plotting deceit all day long. |
| 5 | Psalms 31:17–18 | O LORD, let me not be ashamed, for I have called on You. Let the wicked be put to shame; let them lie silent in Sheol. May lying lips be silenced— lips that speak with arrogance against the righteous, full of pride and contempt. |
| 6 | Psalms 129:5 | May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame. |
| 7 | Psalms 40:14–15 | May those who seek my life be ashamed and confounded; may those who wish me harm be repelled and humiliated. May those who say to me, “Aha, aha!” be appalled at their own shame. |
| 8 | Psalms 71:24 | My tongue will indeed proclaim Your righteousness all day long, for those who seek my harm are disgraced and confounded. |
| 9 | 1 Samuel 23:23 | Observe and find out all the places where he hides. Then come back to me with certainty, and I will go with you. If he is in the land, I will search him out among all the clans of Judah.” |
| 10 | Isaiah 37:29 | Because your rage and arrogance against Me have reached My ears, I will put My hook in your nose and My bit in your mouth; I will send you back the way you came.’ |
Psalms 35:4 Summary
Psalms 35:4 is a prayer asking God to protect us from those who want to hurt us, and to bring justice to those who are doing wrong. This doesn't mean we're seeking revenge, but rather trusting God to take care of us and bring peace to the situation (as seen in Isaiah 54:17). We can apply this to our own lives by trusting God to bring justice and protection, and seeking to love and pray for those who may be against us (as taught in Matthew 5:44). By doing so, we can reflect God's love and character, even in difficult circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the tone of Psalms 35:4, is it seeking revenge?
The tone of Psalms 35:4 is not about seeking personal revenge, but rather about trusting God to bring justice and protection, as seen in Psalms 37:3-7, which encourages us to trust in the Lord and He will bring forth our righteousness.
How does this verse relate to loving our enemies?
While Psalms 35:4 may seem to contradict the idea of loving our enemies, as taught in Matthew 5:44, it's essential to understand that the Psalmist is not seeking harm, but rather seeking God's justice and protection, which can ultimately lead to the salvation of those who persecute us, as seen in Romans 2:4.
Is it wrong to pray for our enemies to be 'disgraced and put to shame'?
In the context of Psalms 35:4, the Psalmist is not praying for personal vengeance, but rather for God's justice to be revealed, which can involve the exposure of evil and the protection of the righteous, as seen in Proverbs 21:15, where it is written that 'when justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous'
Can we apply this verse to our everyday lives?
Yes, we can apply the principles of Psalms 35:4 to our everyday lives by trusting God to bring justice and protection in the face of persecution or hardship, and seeking to love and pray for those who may be against us, as taught in Luke 6:27-36
Reflection Questions
- In what ways can I trust God to bring justice and protection in my life, even in the face of persecution or hardship?
- How can I balance the desire for God's justice with the command to love my enemies, and what does this look like in my everyday relationships?
- What are some ways that I can pray for those who may be against me, and how can I trust God to work in their lives?
- In what ways can I seek to be a reflection of God's love and character, even in the face of opposition or difficulty?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 35:4
Let them be confounded, and put to shame, that seek after my soul,.... This petition, and what follows, which seem to be by way of imprecation, are to be considered as prophecies of what would be,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 35:4
Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt. Let them ... - repeated at the close Psalms 35:26.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 35:4
Confounded, i.e. frustrated in their wicked designs and hopes against me. Concerning this, and the like, and following imprecations, which may seem strange and severe, it must be considered, 1. That they did not proceed from any passionate or revengeful spirit in David towards his enemies, (from which how free he was, appears not only from his own words here, , but from the whole course of his life, and the frequent instances mentioned in his history of his meek and merciful carriage to his enemies when they were in his power,) but from his zeal for God, and for piety and justice, to which they showed themselves to be constant and implacable adversaries, and by the direction of the prophetical Spirit of God wherewith he was endued, which Spirit did exactly know the condition of his enemies, and that those against whom they are levelled were hardened and incurable. 2. That they contain nothing but a prayer to God, that he would accomplish his own threatenings, and execute his own law of retaliation, of eye for eye, and tooth for tooth, and so bring upon them the evils which they designed against him; which also was of great and good use, both to glorify God’ s justice, and to warn and reform other sinners by the terror of their example. 3. That they may be taken only for predictions, as hath been observed before upon the like occasion. Turned back; either, 1. Stopped or hindered in the execution of their wicked design. Or rather, 2. (which is more suitable to the context) discomfited and put to flight, as this phrase is frequently used, as 70:2 78:9 ,21.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 35:4
Psalms 35:4 Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.Ver. 4. Let them be confounded and put to shame] Here David beginneth his imprecations; which yet non maledicens dixit sed vaticinantis more praedixit, saith Theodoret, he doth not utter as cursing, but as prophesying rather. If we shall at any time take upon us thus to imprecate (as we may in some cases), we must see to it, first, that our cause be good. Secondly, that we do it not out of private revenge; but merely for the glory of God. Thirdly, ut ne voculam quidem nisi nobis praeeunte Dei, non carnis, spiritu effundamus, that we utter not a syllable this way but by the guidance of God’ s good Spirit.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 35:4
(4) Confounded.—Comp. Psalms 35:26.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 35:4
Verse 4. Let then be confounded] Let none of their projects or devices against me succeed. Blast all their designs. The imprecations in these verses against enemies are all legitimate. They are not against the souls or eternal welfare of those sinners, but against their schemes and plans for destroying the life of an innocent man; and the holiest Christian may offer up such prayers against his adversaries. If a man aim a blow at another with a design to take away his life, and the blow would infallibly be mortal if it took place, and the person about to be slain see that by breaking the arm of his adversary he may prevent his own death, and thus save his enemy from actual murder; it is his duty to prevent this double evil by breaking the arm of the blood-thirsty man. It is on this principle that David prays against his adversaries in the first eight verses of this Psalm.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 35:4
4–6. Prayer for the repulse and rout of his enemies. No doubt the language might be entirely figurative, but it is more naturally explained if a literal fulfilment was at least a possibility.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 35:4
Let them be confounded - That is, Let them, through Thy gracious interposition in my behalf, be so entirely overcome and subdued that they shall be “ashamed” that they ever made the effort to destroy
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 35:4
4. Hitherto David’s call has been for divine interference, now he prays directly against his enemies. Confounded… put to shame—Two words nearly synonymous, though the latter is more intensive.
Sermons on Psalms 35:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
"The Suffering of Christ From John's Gospel" ch.17:1 by Charles Alexander | In this sermon on John 17 and 18, the preacher delves into the profound significance of Jesus' words and actions leading up to His crucifixion. Jesus' prayer in John 17 reveals His |