Psalm 70 3

Psalm 70:3 kjv

Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.

Psalm 70:3 nkjv

Let them be turned back because of their shame, Who say, "Aha, aha!"

Psalm 70:3 niv

May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" turn back because of their shame.

Psalm 70:3 esv

Let them turn back because of their shame who say, "Aha, Aha!"

Psalm 70:3 nlt

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

Psalm 70 verses

Psalm 70 3 Meaning

Psalm 70:3 is a fervent prayer, a petition to the Most High, asking for divine retribution and the reversal of fortune for those who maliciously gloat over the psalmist's distress. It is a plea for the enemies—those who revel in the suffering of the righteous—to experience their own humiliation and defeat as a direct consequence of their scornful actions. The verse seeks for their "Aha, aha!"—a cry of triumph and mockery—to rebound upon them as a reward for their shame, meaning that the very glee they express over another's plight should become their own source of disgrace.

Psalm 70 3 Context

Psalm 70 is a concise and urgent plea for deliverance, almost identical to Psalm 40:13-17. It is often understood as a psalm of individual lament, deeply imbued with a sense of personal peril and fervent dependence on God. The context highlights a time of great distress for the psalmist, possibly King David, who faces adversaries actively seeking his harm and mocking his reliance on God. This verse, therefore, functions as a direct response to the specific taunts of these enemies. Historically, in ancient Near Eastern cultures, honor and shame were profoundly significant. To be put to shame was a devastating experience, and for one's enemies to gloat (expressed by "Aha, aha!") magnified the humiliation. The psalmist's prayer is thus a petition for a public reversal, for God to uphold His honor and that of His servant by bringing about a fitting and visible consequence for the enemies' insolence, rather than a mere private turning back. It can be seen as an imprecation for justice against those who not only oppose the psalmist but actively blaspheme God by scoffing at His dependent servant.

Psalm 70 3 Word analysis

• Let them be turned back: יֵסֹ֥גוּ (yesōḡū). This word, derived from the root סָגַר (sagar), often implies being shut up or shut off, or to turn away. Here, it is in the Hophal imperfect, conveying a passive and causative sense: "let them be made to turn back," "let them be caused to retreat," or "let them be pushed back." It signifies defeat, frustration, and a forced reversal of their aggressive pursuit. The desire is that their plans and advance will be entirely thwarted, leading to an ignominious retreat.
• for a reward of their shame: עַל־עֵ֣קֶב בָּשְׁתָּם֮ (ʿal-ʿēqeb bāšəttām).
  • עֵקֶב (ʿēqeb): This word literally means "heel" (as in Jacob, Gen 25:26), but metaphorically denotes "consequence," "recompense," or "the end of a matter." In this context, it functions as "in consequence of," or "as a recompense for." It implies that what befalls them is a direct and just outcome related to their actions.
  • בָּשְׁתָּם (bāšəttām): This means "their shame," "their humiliation," or "their disgrace." It points to a profound sense of dishonor, often associated with public exposure of wrong deeds or failed schemes. The prayer asks for their own shame to be the "reward" or outcome of their behavior, reflecting a form of poetic justice where the humiliation they wished to inflict on others returns to them.
• that say: הָאֹמְרִ֣ים (hāʾōmərîm). This is the masculine plural participle of the verb "to say" (אָמַר, ʾāmar). It denotes "those who are continually saying," highlighting their ongoing and persistent taunting as the specific act provoking this prayer.
• Aha, aha!: הֶאָ֫ח (heʾāḥ). This is an interjection, an onomatopoeic exclamation expressing derision, malicious pleasure, scornful triumph, or malicious glee over someone else's misfortune. The repetition emphasizes the intensity and blatant nature of their mockery. It signifies a profound lack of empathy and active celebration of the psalmist's distress.

Psalm 70 3 Bonus section

The profound similarity between Psalm 70 and Psalm 40:13-17 suggests either a direct borrowing, a common liturgical source, or a personal reapplication of a prayer at a different time of urgent need. This repetition emphasizes the persistence of the specific struggle against gloating enemies. The nature of "Aha, aha!" implies not merely general opposition, but a specific form of spiritual warfare where the enemy rejoices in the perceived failure or weakness of God's servant, directly challenging God's sovereignty and His care for His own. This verse therefore calls for a manifestation of God's kingdom power to bring the mockery of His adversaries to an end and replace their sneering with shame. This spiritual truth is critical for believers when facing detractors: the victory is ultimately God's, and He reserves the right to silence and humble those who rail against His work or His people.

Psalm 70 3 Commentary

Psalm 70:3 articulates a profound cry for divine justice, targeting those who not only oppose the psalmist but delight in his suffering, manifesting their scorn with the taunt "Aha, aha!" The verse is not merely an expression of personal vengeance, but rather a theological petition for God's righteous character to be vindicated. By praying "Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame," the psalmist asks for a divine reversal of fortunes, a righteous recompense. The "reward" sought is shame itself, indicating a desire that the very gloating and derision inflicted by the adversaries should boomerang upon them, making their triumph turn into their own public humiliation and defeat. This highlights God's justice, where actions of malevolent scorn against His people do not go unnoticed, and where the enemy's exultation is eventually transformed into their own disgrace. This serves to uphold God's honor and demonstrates His defense of the vulnerable and His commitment to righteous judgment, often by causing the wicked to fall into the very trap they set for others. For instance, in facing public ridicule for faith, believers can find solace that the scorn of adversaries ultimately cannot prevail, but rather stands exposed before the righteousness of God.