Verse
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Psalm 40:15

ESV Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, "Aha, Aha!"
NIV May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" be appalled at their own shame.
NASB May those be appalled because of their shame Who say to me, 'Aha, aha!'
CSB Let those who say to me, "Aha, aha!" be appalled because of their shame.
NLT Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, 'Aha! We’ve got him now!'
KJV Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
NKJV Let them be confounded because of their shame, Who say to me, “Aha, aha!”

What does Psalm 40:15 mean?

The Hebrew word he'āh' is transliterated as "aha!" in verses such as this. Just as in English, this is an exclamation used for emphasis. Those who are against David celebrate his troubles and failures. The term translated in the ESV as "appalled" most literally implies desolation (Ezekiel 6:6; Zephaniah 3:6). Used in this way, it implies the feeling of devastation: complete and shocking defeat. David is asking for his enemies to experience shame and anguish as punishment for their aggression.

In the end, those who sin against God reap the consequences of their actions (Psalm 7:12–16; 64:8; Romans 1:26–27). Those who scoff at Jesus, the Son of David, will suffer shame and hurt (John 3:36). Paul told the Athenians, "[God] has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead" (Acts 17:31). Unbelievers may ridicule Jesus now, but someday they will receive their sins' wages. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death." The "death" in this verse refers not only to physical death, but also to spiritual death and eternal death.
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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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