Psalm 6 10

Psalm 6:10 kjv

Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.

Psalm 6:10 nkjv

Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled; Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.

Psalm 6:10 niv

All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

Psalm 6:10 esv

All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.

Psalm 6:10 nlt

May all my enemies be disgraced and terrified.
May they suddenly turn back in shame.

Psalm 6 verses

Psalm 6 10 Meaning

Psalm 6:10 is a declaration of confident assurance in God's immediate and definitive judgment against the psalmist's enemies. After a profound lament and plea for mercy, this verse signals a decisive turn, expressing the certainty that God has heard the prayer and will vindicate the righteous. The adversaries will experience complete public humiliation and inner terror, forced to retreat instantly and face total disgrace for their opposition.

Psalm 6 10 Context

Psalm 6 is categorized as one of the seven Penitential Psalms, primarily reflecting deep contrition and pleas for divine mercy amidst severe suffering. It begins with David crying out in intense physical and emotional anguish, feeling abandoned by God, overwhelmed by his sickness, and persecuted by his enemies. His bones are "dismayed" (Ps 6:2), his soul "greatly dismayed" (Ps 6:3), and his tears cause his bed to "swim" (Ps 6:6).

The verses leading up to verse 10 are filled with expressions of weakness, sorrow, and a desperate plea for deliverance from death, which would prevent him from praising God (Ps 6:5). However, Psalm 6:8-10 marks an abrupt and profound turning point in the psalm. It shifts from lament to a sudden outburst of confidence and certainty that God has heard his prayer and will act decisively. This demonstrates a transition from doubt and despair to absolute trust, characteristic of many psalms of lament, where the psalmist, having poured out his heart, then recalls God's character and past faithfulness, leading to a declaration of vindication. The historical context implies that David, facing powerful human adversaries and perhaps the consequences of his own sin (as penitential), believed that divine intervention was his only hope for rescue and the public shaming of those who rejoiced in his distress. In the ancient Near East, public shame and retreat signified a comprehensive defeat, a reversal of status where the dominant party suddenly loses honor and position.

Psalm 6 10 Word analysis

• All: (כָּל־, kol) - Signifies completeness and totality. It emphasizes that none of his enemies will escape the coming judgment and humiliation. It's an emphatic declaration, encompassing every single adversary.

• my enemies: (אֹיְבָ֑י, ’ōyḇāy) - Refers to those who are hostile, actively opposed, or tormenting the psalmist. These are not merely opponents, but personal adversaries motivated by ill will or desire for harm.

• shall be put to shame: (יֵבֹ֥שׁוּ, yêḇōšū) - Derived from the Hebrew root בוש (bôsh). This verb conveys a profound sense of humiliation, disgrace, disappointment, and public reproach. It suggests that their wicked plans or hopes will fail spectacularly, leading to their utter discredit. In the cultural context, this was a severe blow, implying a loss of face and status before observers.

• and greatly: (מְאֹ֑ד, mĕ’ōd) - An intensifier, meaning "very," "exceedingly," or "utterly." It magnifies the extent of the shame and dismay, ensuring that their experience of defeat will be total and undeniable.

• dismayed: (יִבָּהֵ֥לוּ, yibbāhēlū) - From the root בהל (bāhal), meaning to be in great alarm, terrified, confounded, or hastened away in panic. It implies a state of sudden terror, confusion, and panic, leading to hasty retreat. This goes beyond external shame to include an internal state of chaos and dread.

• they shall turn back: (יָשֻׁ֙בוּ֙, yāšūḇū) - From שׁוב (shuv), meaning to turn, return, or retreat. It literally describes their physical movement of abandoning their position and fleeing. Metaphorically, it means their efforts or assaults will be repelled, and they will abandon their pursuit, indicating a complete reversal of their fortunes.

• and suddenly: (רֶ֗גַע, reḡa‘) - Meaning "in a moment," "instantly," or "unexpectedly." This adverb stresses the speed and immediacy of God's intervention and the resulting judgment on the enemies. Their downfall will be swift and unexpected, signifying divine intervention that defies human expectations.

• be put to shame: (יֵבֹ֥שׁוּ, yêḇōšū) - A repetition of the initial verb bôsh. The repetition emphasizes the certainty, severity, and lasting nature of their disgrace. It serves as an emphatic conclusion, sealing their fate.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "All my enemies will be ashamed and greatly dismayed": This phrase combines public humiliation (ashamed) with internal terror and panic (dismayed), amplified by "greatly." It indicates a total psychological and social defeat. Their grand plans against the psalmist will not just fail; they will lead to their deep personal distress and public disgrace.
  • "they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame": This part describes the immediate and physical consequence of their dismay and shame. They will retreat in defeat (turn back), and this reversal of fortune will be immediate (suddenly), leading to yet another, concluding, public disgrace (be put to shame). The reiteration of "shame" at the end underscores the ultimate and decisive nature of their downfall. The divine intervention is not a slow process but a rapid and overwhelming act of vindication.

Psalm 6 10 Bonus section

• Psalm 6 marks a pivotal shift from the lament of a distressed individual to the declaration of certain victory due to answered prayer. This pattern is common in the Psalms, teaching believers the process of honest lament followed by confident faith.
• The transition in the psalm, specifically at verse 8 ("Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping"), shows David regaining his strength and courage because he perceived God's favorable answer to his prayers, not because circumstances had physically changed yet. Verse 10 is the confident consequence of that answered prayer.
• The specific enemies referenced could be external political foes, personal rivals, or even a personification of the illness that afflicted the psalmist. Regardless of the precise identity, the spiritual principle holds that opposition to God's people ultimately leads to defeat by God's hand.

Psalm 6 10 Commentary

Psalm 6:10 provides a climactic declaration of faith within a psalm otherwise characterized by profound distress. It is the assured statement of someone who, having pleaded earnestly with God, now possesses unshakeable confidence that God has indeed heard and will act. This verse is not a mere wish or a self-vindicating curse; it's a prophetic statement born from a deeply personal experience of divine attentiveness. The transformation from "My soul is greatly dismayed" (v. 3) to "All my enemies... greatly dismayed" (v. 10) powerfully illustrates God's capacity to reverse the circumstances of the afflicted.

The dual occurrence of "put to shame" highlights both the certain failure of the enemies' intentions and the profound humiliation they will suffer. In ancient cultures, "shame" was a powerful tool of social control and punishment, and its infliction by divine decree was the ultimate defeat. The term "dismayed" further compounds their distress, speaking to a panicked internal confusion that accompanies their outward disgrace. The emphasis on "suddenly" reinforces God's sovereignty and immediate response to prayer, often outside of human expectation or timing. This instantaneous action emphasizes that their downfall is solely by divine power, not by the psalmist's strength.

Ultimately, Psalm 6:10 is a powerful reminder that while the righteous may face intense opposition and suffering, their cries to God are heard, and He will ensure that justice prevails. It speaks to the ultimate vindication of those who trust in the Lord and the inevitable failure and disgrace of those who oppose God and His people. It reassures believers that their Heavenly Father sees their plight and acts on their behalf.