Psalm 35 26

Psalm 35:26 kjv

Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.

Psalm 35:26 nkjv

Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion Who rejoice at my hurt; Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor Who exalt themselves against me.

Psalm 35:26 niv

May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace.

Psalm 35:26 esv

Let them be put to shame and disappointed altogether who rejoice at my calamity! Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me!

Psalm 35:26 nlt

May those who rejoice at my troubles
be humiliated and disgraced.
May those who triumph over me
be covered with shame and dishonor.

Psalm 35 verses

Psalm 35 26 Meaning

Psalm 35:26 is an imprecatory plea for divine justice, articulating David’s fervent desire for his adversaries to experience public disgrace and humiliation. It calls for those who delight in his distress and proudly magnify themselves against him to be utterly shamed and clothed with dishonor, symbolizing a complete and undeniable public downfall in stark contrast to their arrogant boasts. This prayer seeks God's intervention to reverse the state of affairs where the wicked prosper and mock the righteous.

Psalm 35 26 Context

Psalm 35 is a lament and imprecatory psalm of David, deeply expressive of a righteous man suffering unprovoked persecution. Throughout the chapter, David details his adversaries' malicious actions: they attack him despite his past kindness (vv. 7-8), gloat over his pain (v. 15), and unjustly accuse him (vv. 11-12). Verses 25-27 articulate his desired outcome, where he prays for God's active intervention and the ultimate disgrace of his enemies. Verse 26, specifically, is a prayer that the same pride and malicious glee they exhibit against him be turned back on them in the form of shame and public dishonor. This psalm reflects David's legal and social distress in an ancient Near Eastern context where public reputation and divine vindication were paramount. It also serves as a polemic against the hubris of the unrighteous who assume their prosperity indicates divine approval, highlighting that true justice comes from the Lord.

Psalm 35 26 Word analysis

• Let them be ashamed (יֵבֹשׁוּ, yēvōšû from בוֹשׁ, bosh): This implies more than inner feeling; it denotes public disgrace, failure to achieve their malicious aims, and the exposure of their wickedness. It often signifies confusion or disappointment in one's expectations.
• and brought to dishonor (וְיַחְפְּרוּ, vəyaḥpərû from חָפֵר, chapher): Closely parallels "ashamed," intensifying the idea of public disgrace and disappointment. It speaks of a visible fall from any standing or honor they might have possessed.
• who rejoice at my distress (שְׂמֵחֵי רָעָתִי, śəmēḥê ra'ati): This highlights the cruelty and malevolence of the enemies. śəmēḥê (rejoicers) and ra'ati (my evil/calamity/distress) together depict those who take malicious pleasure in the suffering of others, specifically David's misfortunes. Such gloating is condemned in scripture (e.g., Prov 24:17-18).
• Let them be clothed (יִלְבְּשׁוּ־בֹשֶׁת, yilbəšû-bōšet): Uses powerful metaphorical imagery. To be "clothed" with shame implies complete engulfment; shame becomes their visible garment, their public identity. It is an inescapable, all-encompassing state of disgrace, a dramatic reversal of their earlier exultation.
• with shame (בֹשֶׁת, bōšet): Refers to intense public humiliation, disgrace, and confusion, distinct from moral guilt.
• and dishonor (וּכְלִמָּה, ûklimmâh): Emphasizes utter disgrace, contempt, and ignominy. The two terms together intensify the desired public humiliation.
• who magnify themselves against me (מַגְדִּילִים עָלָי, magdīlîm ‘ālāy): Literally "who make themselves great over me." This conveys arrogance, boasting, and self-exaltation at the expense of another. They seek to elevate themselves by debasing David, perhaps speaking proudly or threateningly. This speaks of their haughty and defiant posture.

Words-group analysis:

• Let them be ashamed and brought to dishonor: These two terms are often paired to denote complete and undeniable public disgrace. It's a petition for a thorough, divine reversal of the enemies' perceived success, leading to their utter failure and humiliation. This reflects God's justice in vindicating the oppressed.
• Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor: This phrase dramatically pictures public and inescapable disgrace. Just as one cannot easily shed their clothing, so too will this shame cling to them. It contrasts sharply with their earlier "magnifying themselves," suggesting that their intended glory will turn into utter disgrace. This imagery ensures the shame is public and undeniable, making them an object of contempt rather than admiration.

Psalm 35 26 Bonus section

The concept of being "clothed" with positive or negative attributes (e.g., Ps 132:18, "his enemies I will clothe with shame"; Isa 61:10, "He has clothed me with the garments of salvation") is a recurring biblical motif. In Psalm 35:26, it implies an inescapable, public, and self-chosen identity for the wicked: their own actions of magnifying themselves lead directly to their public shaming, orchestrated by divine justice. The strength of this imprecation also serves as a warning, emphasizing that those who rejoice in the calamity of others ultimately invite God's disfavor and will themselves face public judgment. It underscores a key principle of divine economy: what one metes out often returns to them.

Psalm 35 26 Commentary

Psalm 35:26 encapsulates a plea for divine retribution rooted in a profound trust in God's justice. David's imprecation is not merely a burst of personal vengeance, but a call for the Lord to uphold His righteousness by publicly vindicating His servant and demonstrating that evil will not prevail unpunished. The specific actions of the enemies – "rejoicing at my distress" and "magnifying themselves" – highlight their moral depravity, deriving malicious pleasure from the suffering of the righteous and arrogantly exalting themselves. The desired outcome, to be "clothed with shame and dishonor," is a prayer for public humiliation and defeat that directly mirrors their proud and malicious conduct. It speaks to a societal context where reputation and visible justice were vital. This psalm underscores the theological truth that God opposes the proud and ultimately confounds those who maliciously persecute the innocent, ensuring that righteousness will be vindicated and the wicked exposed in their true colors.