Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me.

PSALMS 35:26KJV
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Psalms 35:26 (KJV)

What does Psalms 35:26 mean?

Psalms 35:26 is a prayer asking that those who take pleasure in the psalmist’s misfortune would be put to shame and confusion, and that those who boast against him would be disgraced. The verse expresses a desire for those who act with malice and pride toward the speaker to face the consequences of their actions.

King David is speaking in this psalm, addressing God about enemies who are happy when he suffers and who exalt themselves at his expense. The verse uses strong language to describe a wish that these people would experience the same shame and dishonor they tried to bring on him. This fits into the larger context of Psalm 35, where David is asking God for justice and protection from those who attack him unfairly.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 35:26

  • "ashamed" (בּוּשׁ, bosh): This word often means to be publicly embarrassed or humiliated. David is not just asking for private regret but a visible reversal of fortune for his enemies.
  • "confusion" (חָפֵר, chafeir): This word carries the sense of being dismayed or thrown into disorder. It highlights a wish that those who rejoice at David’s hurt would be unsettled and lose their confidence.
  • "clothed" (לָבַשׁ, lavash): To be "clothed with shame and dishonour" paints a vivid picture of disgrace being as obvious as clothing, something everyone can see.
  • "magnify" (גָּדַל, gadal): This word means to make oneself great or to boast. The verse singles out those who lift themselves up at David’s expense, asking that their pride be turned into shame.

Why Psalms 35:26 matters

  • This verse helps clarify that David is not asking for personal revenge, but for justice against those who celebrate his suffering and act arrogantly.
  • The language of being "clothed with shame" shows how public and complete the disgrace would be, not just a private feeling but something visible to all.
  • In the wider context of Psalm 35, this verse highlights the theme of asking God to set things right when others treat someone unfairly, showing the psalmist’s trust in God’s justice rather than taking matters into his own hands.

Where else these words appear

“confusion” Hebrew H2659 · used in 17 verses

  • Job 6:20 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
  • Psalms 71:24 My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.
  • Isaiah 24:23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.

“rejoice” Hebrew H8056 · used in 23 verses

  • Deuteronomy 16:15 Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.
  • 2 Chronicles 23:13 And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.
  • Proverbs 2:14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;

“shame” Hebrew H1322 · used in 29 verses

  • 1 Samuel 20:30 Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?
  • Psalms 132:18 His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.
  • Jeremiah 7:19 Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces?

“dishonour” Hebrew H3639 · used in 29 verses

  • Job 20:3 I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.
  • Isaiah 45:16 They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols.
  • Ezekiel 32:24 There is Elam and all her multitude round about her grave, all of them slain, fallen by the sword, which are gone down uncircumcised into the nether parts of the earth, which caused their terror in the land of the living; yet have they borne their shame with them that go down to the pit.