Translations
Modern
May those who seek my life be ashamed and confounded; may those who wish me harm be repelled and humiliated.
Traditional
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.
Literal
Let them be put to shame and confounded together, those seeking my soul, to snatch it away! Let them be driven back and humiliated, those delighting in my harm!
Latin
Confundantur et revereantur simul, qui quærunt animam meam ut auferant eam; convertantur retrorsum et revereantur, qui volunt mihi mala.
Original
Hebrew
English
May those who seek my life be ashamed and confounded; may those who wish me harm be repelled and humiliated.
Notes
The psalmist is troubled by both his adversities and his own sins and prays for rescue.
This passage is almost the same as Psalm 70.
This psalm has a thanksgiving song (Psalm 40:1–10) and a lament (40:11–17). The thanksgiving song explains why the psalmist is thankful (Psalm 40:1–5), shows a promise to stay committed (40:6–8), and shares a public testimony about God's character (40:7–10). The lament talks about the psalmist's troubles due to his sins (Psalm 40:11–12) and includes two prayers asking for justice (40:13–15, 17).
Theme notes and profiles
Parallels
Glossary
Confession David Fellowship Imprecatory Psalms Mercy Messiah Music Psalms, Book of