Psalm 70 2

Psalm 70:2 kjv

Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.

Psalm 70:2 nkjv

Let them be ashamed and confounded Who seek my life; Let them be turned back and confused Who desire my hurt.

Psalm 70:2 niv

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

Psalm 70:2 esv

Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life! Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!

Psalm 70:2 nlt

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

Psalm 70 verses

Psalm 70 2 Meaning

Psalm 70:2 is a fervent prayer for divine intervention against those who actively seek to harm the Psalmist's life and rejoice in his misfortune. It petitions God to bring shame and disgrace upon these adversaries, frustrating their malicious intentions and causing their plans to utterly fail and recoil upon them. The core of the plea is for the enemies' public humiliation and defeat, aligning with the desire for God's justice to be swiftly and visibly demonstrated.

Psalm 70 2 Context

Psalm 70 is a concise and urgent prayer of lament and petition, virtually identical to Psalm 40:13-17. It is attributed to David, likely reflecting a period of intense distress, possibly due to a specific personal danger or enemies conspiring against him. The context is one of a righteous individual crying out to God for immediate help, relief from malicious adversaries, and vindication. The enemies are not merely passive opponents but those actively seeking to take the psalmist's "life" (his very existence or soul) and delighting in his misfortune. The psalm abruptly transitions from this prayer for the wicked's defeat to a prayer for the joy of those who seek God and love His salvation. Historically, such psalms reflected the constant geopolitical pressures on ancient Israel and the personal threats faced by kings and individuals, who would often pray for God's intervention to protect them from both foreign invaders and internal betrayers, seeing their enemies as God's enemies.

Psalm 70 2 Word analysis

• Let them be put to shame (יֵבֹ֙שׁוּ֙ - yêbôshû): This is a jussive form of the verb bôš, meaning "to be ashamed," "disgraced," "confounded," or "disappointed." It's not a mere suggestion but a strong prayer-wish, a fervent imprecation for their public humiliation. In the biblical context, shame (bosh) signifies public dishonor, a failure to achieve one's objectives, or the exposure of one's wrongdoing, contrasting sharply with the glory God grants to His faithful.
• and dishonor (וְיַחְפְּר֣וּ - wəyachpĕrû): A jussive form of ḥāpar, often used parallel to bôš. It deepens the idea of shame, conveying being frustrated, confused, or brought to an utter halt, especially when a plan or expectation collapses. The repetition emphasizes the intensity and totality of the desired outcome for the enemies.
• who seek (מְבַקְשֵׁ֣י - məbaqšêy): A participial form from bāqaš, meaning "to seek," "demand," or "search earnestly." This highlights the active and deliberate nature of the enemies' pursuit. They are not accidental foes but actively and intensely striving to harm.
• my life (נַפְשִׁ֑י - nap̄šî): Nephesh (soul, life, self) refers to the totality of the psalmist's being, his very existence. To "seek one's nephesh" is to seek to destroy one's person, to kill, or to utterly ruin them. This demonstrates the grave nature of the threat.
• let them be turned back (יִסֹּ֣גוּ אָ֭חוֹר - yissôgû ʾāčhôr): A jussive form meaning "let them retreat," "withdraw," or "go backward." ʾāḥōr (backward) emphasizes a full reversal of direction. This is a prayer for the complete frustration and failure of their aggression; their advance is stopped and reversed.
• and confounded (וְיִכָּלְמ֗וּ - wəyikkalmû): A jussive from kālam, also meaning "to be ashamed" or "dishonored," often implies disgrace, insult, or public rebuke. Similar to bôš and ḥāpar, it reinforces the prayer for the enemies to face ignominy as a result of their failed endeavors.
• who delight in (חֲפֵצֵ֥י - ḥăpêtsêy): A participial form of ḥāfēṣ, meaning "to desire," "take pleasure in," or "delight in." This specifies a second group of enemies, those who not only wish ill upon the psalmist but actively take joy or pleasure in his misfortune. This points to a deeper level of malice and a malevolent spirit.
• my hurt (רָעָתִֽי - râʿâtî): From ra'ah, meaning "evil," "harm," "calamity," or "distress." Here it specifically refers to the personal evil or misfortune intended for the psalmist. It encapsulates the full spectrum of affliction and disaster.

Words-group analysis:

• "Let them be put to shame and dishonor": This repeated emphasis on public disgrace (bôš and ḥāpar) is central to the imprecation. It’s a prayer for the visible and comprehensive failure of the enemies' wicked schemes, in contrast to the expectation that those who trust in God will not be put to shame (e.g., Ps 25:3, Isa 28:16). Their pride and evil intent are to result in their complete undoing.
• "who seek my life": This phrase clearly identifies the adversaries as existential threats, indicating that the conflict is not trivial but one of survival. The enemies aim at the core of the psalmist's being, whether physical or spiritual, implying grave danger.
• "let them be turned back and confounded": This describes the operational defeat of the enemies. Not only will they be publicly disgraced, but their aggressive advance will be utterly halted and reversed. Their plans will boomerang back upon them, leading to confusion and public failure.
• "who delight in my hurt": This final group underscores the malicious joy of the enemies, highlighting their spiritual corruption. Their pleasure in the psalmist's suffering adds a layer of moral offense to their actions, further justifying the prayer for their shame and frustration.

Psalm 70 2 Bonus section

This verse functions as an "imprecatory prayer," a common type in the Psalms where the psalmist calls upon God to execute judgment against His enemies and the enemies of the righteous. Far from mere human vengeance, these prayers implicitly rely on God's perfect justice and sovereignty, acknowledging His right to repay evil. They reflect the righteous anger at injustice and a plea for the re-establishment of moral order. The repetition of shame-related terms emphasizes the public nature of the desired divine judgment; it is not enough for the enemies to fail, but their failure must be apparent to all, thus glorifying God who defends His servants. The intense suffering implied by the phrase "seek my life" gives context to the urgency and severity of the plea.

Psalm 70 2 Commentary

Psalm 70:2 is a passionate appeal for divine justice against specific, active adversaries. It opens with an urgent request for the shame and frustration of those who seek the psalmist's very existence. This is not a personal vendetta but a call for God's justice to be made manifest. The enemies' delight in the psalmist's potential harm further illustrates their malevolence, inviting a more pronounced divine response. The prayer anticipates a divine reversal, where the attackers are stopped, their intentions thwarted, and their malicious joy turned into public humiliation. This reflects a foundational biblical truth: while the righteous may face oppression, ultimately, God protects His own, and the wicked will face consequences for their deeds. It reinforces the believer's confidence in God as the ultimate Avenger and Vindicator.