Psalm 40:14

ESV Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!

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

NASB May those be ashamed and humiliated together Who seek my life to destroy it; May those be turned back and dishonored Who delight in my hurt.

CSB Let those who intend to take my life be disgraced and confounded. Let those who wish me harm be turned back and humiliated.

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

KJV Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.

NKJV Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion Who seek to destroy my life; Let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor Who wish me evil.

What does Psalm 40:14 mean?

Here, David asks God to defeat and confound those who were seeking to kill him. He wanted those who longed to dethrone him to be disgraced. If we compare the request in this verse with David's words in verse 11, we see that David's prayer for the defeat and disgrace of his enemies was offered with full confidence in the Lord (Psalm 40:11).

Though David was a man of military skill (Psalm 144:1), he didn't seek revenge against his enemies (1 Samuel 24:1–10). In Romans 12, we are told explicitly not to take vengeance into our own hands. Verse 19 states, "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord'" (Romans 12:19). Verses 20 and 21 exhort us to show kindness to our enemy and to overcome evil with good.

Instead of taking matters into our own hands, we are instructed to leave them in God's hands. David committed his desperate situation to the Lord. That does not necessarily mean God will take our preferred actions, or steps of vengeance, but He will ultimately make all wrongs right (Revelation 20:11–15).

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Context Summary
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.

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Chapter Summary
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.

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