Psalms 40:14
Psalms 40:14 in Multiple Translations
May those who seek my life be ashamed and confounded; may those who wish me harm be repelled and humiliated.
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.
Let them be put to shame and confounded together That seek after my soul to destroy it: Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor That delight in my hurt.
Let those who go after my soul for its destruction have shame and trouble together; let them be turned back and made foolish who take pleasure in my trouble.
Please defeat and humiliate the people who are trying to kill me; turn back in disgrace those who want to hurt me.
Let them be confounded and put to shame together, that seeke my soule to destroye it: let them be driuen backward and put to rebuke, that desire mine hurt.
They are ashamed and confounded together, Who are seeking my soul to destroy it, They are turned backward, And are ashamed, who are desiring my evil.
Let them be disappointed and confounded together who seek after my soul to destroy it. Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt.
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.
Blessed by the Lord the God of Israel from eternity to eternity. So be it. So be it.
Humble those who are happy about my troubles, and cause them to be disgraced and ashamed. Chase away those who are trying to get rid of me.
Some people want to kill me. God, please make them feel shame and make them confused. Those people are happy whenever I get hurt. God, please make them run away and be sad.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 40:14
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 40:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
רְצֵ֣ה
יְ֭הוָה
לְ/הַצִּילֵ֑/נִי
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
לְ/עֶזְרָ֥תִ/י
חֽוּשָׁ/ה
רְצֵ֣ה
râtsâh
H7521
to accept
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
יְ֭הוָה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
לְ/הַצִּילֵ֑/נִי
nâtsal
H5337
to rescue
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
לְ/עֶזְרָ֥תִ/י
ʻezrâh
H5833
help
Prep | N-fs | Suff
חֽוּשָׁ/ה
chûwsh
H2363
to hasten
V-Qal-Impv-2ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 40:14
רְצֵ֣ה
râtsâh
H7521
"to accept"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to accept or be pleased with something, like God accepting our prayers. It appears in Psalms and Proverbs, showing God's favor towards us. This word is about being satisfied or delighted.
Definition: 1) to be pleased with, be favourable to, accept favourably 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be pleased with, be favourable to 1a2) to accept 1a3) to be pleased, be determined 1a4) to make acceptable, satisfy 1a5) to please 1b) (Niphal) to be accepted, be pleased with 1c) (Piel) to seek favour of 1d) (Hiphil) to please, pay off 1e) (Hithpael) to make oneself acceptable or pleasing
Usage: Occurs in 55 OT verses. KJV: (be) accept(-able), accomplish, set affection, approve, consent with, delight (self), enjoy, (be, have a) favour(-able), like, observe, pardon, (be, have, take) please(-ure), reconcile self. See also: Genesis 33:10; Psalms 50:18; Psalms 40:14.
יְ֭הוָה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
לְ/הַצִּילֵ֑/נִי
nâtsal
H5337
"to rescue"
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff
To rescue means to snatch away or deliver from danger. It can also mean to strip or plunder, depending on the context, and appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) to snatch away, deliver, rescue, save, strip, plunder 1a)(Niphal) 1a1) to tear oneself away, deliver oneself 1a2) to be torn out or away, be delivered 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to strip off, spoil 1b2) to deliver 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to take away, snatch away 1c2) to rescue, recover 1c3) to deliver (from enemies or troubles or death) 1c4) to deliver from sin and guilt 1d) (Hophal) to be plucked out 1e) (Hithpael) to strip oneself Aramaic equivalent: ne.tsal (נְצַל "to rescue" H5338)
Usage: Occurs in 194 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, defend, deliver (self), escape, [idiom] without fail, part, pluck, preserve, recover, rescue, rid, save, spoil, strip, [idiom] surely, take (out). See also: Genesis 31:9; Psalms 40:14; Psalms 7:2.
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
לְ/עֶזְרָ֥תִ/י
ʻezrâh
H5833
"help"
Prep | N-fs | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'help' or 'aid', referring to assistance or support, as seen in various Bible translations.
Definition: 1) help, succour, assistance 1a) help, succour 1b) one who helps
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: help(-ed, -er). See also: Judges 5:23; Psalms 60:13; Psalms 22:20.
חֽוּשָׁ/ה
chûwsh
H2363
"to hasten"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for to hurry or be eager with excitement, often translated as to make haste. It can also mean to enjoy or feel something, conveying a sense of enthusiasm or readiness. This word is used in various contexts, including when someone is preparing for action.
Definition: 1) to haste, make haste, hurry 1a) (Qal) to make haste 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to show haste, act quickly, hasten, come quickly
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: (make) haste(-n), ready. See also: Numbers 32:17; Psalms 70:2; Psalms 22:20.
Study Notes — Psalms 40:14
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 40:14 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 40:14
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 40:14
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 40:14
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 40:14
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 40:14
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 40:14
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 40:14
- Sermons on Psalms 40:14
Context — I Waited Patiently for the LORD
12For evils without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, so that I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart has failed within me.
13Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; hurry, O LORD, to help me.
14May those who seek my life be ashamed and confounded; may those who wish me harm be repelled and humiliated.
15May those who say to me, “Aha, aha!” be appalled at their own shame. 16May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, “The LORD be magnified!”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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. |
| 2 | Psalms 35:4 | May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plan to harm me be driven back and confounded. |
| 3 | Psalms 71:13 | May the accusers of my soul be ashamed and consumed; may those who seek my harm be covered with scorn and disgrace. |
| 4 | John 18:6 | When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. |
| 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 | Isaiah 45:24 | Surely they will say of Me, ‘In the LORD alone are righteousness and strength.’” All who rage against Him will come to Him and be put to shame. |
| 7 | Psalms 9:3 | When my enemies retreat, they stumble and perish before You. |
| 8 | 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. |
| 9 | Isaiah 41:11 | Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish. |
| 10 | Acts 12:23–24 | Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God continued to spread and multiply. |
Psalms 40:14 Summary
Psalm 40:14 is a prayer where the psalmist is asking God to protect him from his enemies and to bring shame and humiliation to those who are seeking to harm him. The psalmist is trusting in God's power and justice to bring about this outcome, and is asking God to act on his behalf, as seen in Psalm 37:5-6. This verse can be applied to our own lives by trusting in God's power and justice, and praying for our enemies to be ashamed and repelled, not out of personal revenge, but out of a desire to see God's name vindicated, as in Romans 11:36. By praying in this way, we can bring glory to God, even in the midst of difficult circumstances, and trust in His sovereignty to bring about the desired outcome, as in Proverbs 16:9.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the context of Psalm 40:14, and why is the psalmist asking for his enemies to be ashamed?
The psalmist is surrounded by evils and sins, and is asking God to deliver him, as seen in Psalm 40:12-13, and is now asking for his enemies to be ashamed and repelled, trusting in God's power and justice, similar to Psalm 35:26-27.
Is it wrong to pray for our enemies to be ashamed and humiliated, as the psalmist is doing in Psalm 40:14?
No, it is not wrong, as the psalmist is not praying out of personal revenge, but rather is asking God to vindicate His own name and cause, as seen in Psalm 40:16, and to bring glory to Himself, as in Romans 11:36.
How can we apply Psalm 40:14 to our own lives, when we are facing enemies or opposition?
We can apply this verse by trusting in God's power and justice, and praying for our enemies to be ashamed and repelled, not out of personal revenge, but out of a desire to see God's name vindicated, as in Proverbs 24:17-18, and to bring glory to Himself, as in 1 Corinthians 10:31.
Is Psalm 40:14 a promise that our enemies will always be ashamed and humiliated, or is it a prayer?
Psalm 40:14 is a prayer, not a promise, as the psalmist is asking God to act on his behalf, and is trusting in God's power and justice to bring about the desired outcome, as seen in Psalm 37:5-6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can trust in God's power and justice, even when I am facing enemies or opposition, and how can I apply Psalm 40:14 to my own life?
- How can I distinguish between praying out of personal revenge, and praying for God to vindicate His own name and cause, as the psalmist is doing in Psalm 40:14?
- What are some ways that I can bring glory to God, even in the midst of difficult circumstances, and how can I use Psalm 40:14 as a model for my own prayers?
- How can I balance the desire for my enemies to be ashamed and humiliated, with the command to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me, as in Matthew 5:44-45?
- What are some ways that I can trust in God's sovereignty, even when I do not see my enemies being ashamed and humiliated, and how can I continue to pray and trust in God's power and justice?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 40:14
Let them be ashamed and confounded together,.... As they will be at the last day, when they shall see him whom they have pierced come in the clouds of heaven, in his own and his Father's glory, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 40:14
Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me ... Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul ...
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 40:14
Let them be ashamed, for the disappointment of their hopes and designs. My soul, i.e. my life, as .
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 40:14
Psalms 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.Ver. 14. Let them be ashamed and confounded together, &c.] These and the like imprecations must be looked upon as prophecies. Besides, David looked upon them not as his enemies only, but God’ s as well; and such also as were desperate and irrecoverable. So Paul prayed against the coppersmith, the Church against Julian, &c. Let them be driven backward, &c.] A Christian may without sin be sensible of indignities; only it must be the mourning of doves, and not the roaring of bears.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 40:14
14. The whole verse is a repetition, with variations, of Psalms 35:4; Psalms 35:26 (cp. Psalms 38:12); and v. 5-17 recall v. 21, 25, 27, 10 of the same Psalm. Together and to destroy it are omitted in Psalms 70:2. let them be driven backward &c.] Render, as in Psalms 35; Let them be turned back and brought to dishonour That delight in my hurt. Contrast Psalms 35:27 with the last line.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 40:14
Let them be ashamed and confounded together - See at Psalms 35:4, note; Psalms 35:26, note. This may be understood here rather as a confident expectation than a wish or desire.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 40:14
14. My soul— “Soul” is here taken in the sense of life. Wish me evil— Will or purpose “evil” to me.
Sermons on Psalms 40:14
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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"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 |
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Day 215, John 18 by David Servant | David Servant delves into the Gospel of John, highlighting unique aspects such as Jesus' captors falling to the ground when He identified Himself as 'I am,' echoing God's revelatio |
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The Doctrine of Imputed Righteousness Without Works, Asserted and Proved. by John Gill | John Gill emphasizes the doctrine of imputed righteousness, asserting that justification before God is achieved through faith in Christ's righteousness, not through human works. He |
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The Source of Elijah's Strength by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes that Elijah's strength came not from his surroundings or inherent qualities, but from his unwavering faith in Jehovah, who he recognized as the living God. De |
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2 Corinthians v. 21 by John Owen | John Owen expounds on 2 Corinthians 5:21, emphasizing the profound truth that Christ, who knew no sin, was made sin for us through the imputation of our sins to Him. He clarifies t |
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The Seed of Israel, Justified in Christ by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot preaches on the essential deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, emphasizing the testimonies in Scripture that confirm His divinity and the unique acts attributed to Him as G |
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(Through the Bible) Isaiah 41-42 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher discusses God's self-definition and his power as the creator of the heavens and the earth. The preacher references the story of Belshazzar and the hand |