Psalm 40:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, "Aha, Aha!"

NIV: May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" be appalled at their own shame.

NASB: May those be appalled because of their shame Who say to me, 'Aha, aha!'

CSB: Let those who say to me, "Aha, aha!" be appalled because of their shame.

NLT: Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, 'Aha! We’ve got him now!'

KJV: Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.

NKJV: Let them be confounded because of their shame, Who say to me, “Aha, aha!”

The Hebrew word he'āh' is transliterated as "aha!" in verses such as this. Just as in English, this is an exclamation used for emphasis. Those who are against David celebrate his troubles and failures. The term translated in the ESV as "appalled" most literally implies desolation (Ezekiel 6:6; Zephaniah 3:6). Used in this way, it implies the feeling of devastation: complete and shocking defeat. David is asking for his enemies to experience shame and anguish as punishment for their aggression.

In the end, those who sin against God reap the consequences of their actions (Psalm 7:12–16; 64:8; Romans 1:26–27). Those who scoff at Jesus, the Son of David, will suffer shame and hurt (John 3:36). Paul told the Athenians, "[God] has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead" (Acts 17:31). Unbelievers may ridicule Jesus now, but someday they will receive their sins' wages. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death." The "death" in this verse refers not only to physical death, but also to spiritual death and eternal death.

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.