Psalm 40:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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!

NIV: May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.

NASB: May those be ashamed and humiliated together Who seek my life to destroy it; May those be turned back and dishonored Who delight in my hurt.

CSB: Let those who intend to take my life be disgraced and confounded. Let those who wish me harm be turned back and humiliated.

NLT: May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame. May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion Who seek to destroy my life; Let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor Who wish me evil.

Here, David asks God to defeat and confound those who were seeking to kill him. He wanted those who longed to dethrone him to be disgraced. If we compare the request in this verse with David's words in verse 11, we see that David's prayer for the defeat and disgrace of his enemies was offered with full confidence in the Lord (Psalm 40:11).

Though David was a man of military skill (Psalm 144:1), he didn't seek revenge against his enemies (1 Samuel 24:1–10). In Romans 12, we are told explicitly not to take vengeance into our own hands. Verse 19 states, "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord'" (Romans 12:19). Verses 20 and 21 exhort us to show kindness to our enemy and to overcome evil with good.

Instead of taking matters into our own hands, we are instructed to leave them in God's hands. David committed his desperate situation to the Lord. That does not necessarily mean God will take our preferred actions, or steps of vengeance, but He will ultimately make all wrongs right (Revelation 20:11–15).

Psalm 40:11–17 follows a passage focused mainly on David's thanksgiving for the Lord's past blessings. This section features his requests to God, based on the Lord's love and faithfulness. He asks the Lord to forgive his sins, rescue him from his enemies, and to fill God's people with praise when they recognize how David has been delivered. Psalm 38 contains similar themes to those of these closing verses of Psalm 40.

David waited on the Lord for quite some time to be delivered from his foes, and the Lord heard him. This remarkable deliverance would persuade many to trust in the Lord. David insists that no one can compare with the Lord. Verses 6–8 are messianic; Hebrews 10:5–9 applies them to Jesus. David shared this story with his fellow worshipers in the sanctuary. He was confident that the Lord would continue to show him His mercy, His steadfast love, and His faithfulness. David needed the Lord's help because he was conscious of his many sins, and he knew his enemies wanted to kill him. He concludes this psalm by humble acknowledging that the Lord thought about him and was his help and deliverer. He asks the Lord to come quickly to his defense.

In this psalm David offers praise to the Lord for meeting his needs. He may have composed this psalm during one of his exiles in the wilderness or during the infancy of his rule as Israel's king. Verses 1–5 may refer to his exile, and verses 6–10 may depict his dedication as king. Verses 11–17 tell of his prayer for forgiveness and his exaltation over his foes. Psalm 70 parallels Psalm 40:13–17. Hebrews 10:5–9 quotes Psalm 40:6–8, making the latter passage messianic.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.