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.

PSALMS 40:14KJV
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Psalms 40:14 (KJV)

What does Psalms 40:14 mean?

Psalms 40:14 is a prayer asking God to bring shame and confusion on those who are trying to harm the psalmist, to frustrate their plans, and to turn them back in disgrace. The verse expresses a desire for those who wish evil against the speaker to be stopped and dishonored.

King David is speaking in this psalm, addressing God while facing enemies who are actively seeking to destroy him. The verse uses strong language to show both the seriousness of the threat and David’s trust that God can intervene to protect him. This request for God to deal with his enemies is part of a larger pattern in the psalms, where the writer honestly brings fears and dangers before God.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 40:14

  • "Ashamed" (בּוּשׁ, bosh): This word often means to be put to shame or to be disappointed, especially when someone’s plans fail. Here, David is asking God to cause his enemies’ efforts to come to nothing.
  • "Confounded" (חָפֵר, chafeir): This word carries the sense of being confused or humiliated. It adds to the idea of the enemies not just failing, but being thrown into disorder or embarrassment.
  • "Seek" (בָּקַשׁ, baqash): This word means to search for or pursue. The verse highlights that these people are actively and intentionally trying to harm David, not just passively opposing him.
  • "Driven backward" (סוּג, sug): This word means to turn back or retreat. David is asking that his enemies be forced to retreat, unable to carry out their harmful intentions.

Why Psalms 40:14 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David is not seeking personal revenge, but rather asking God to handle those who threaten him, showing a reliance on divine justice rather than his own strength.
  • The verse emphasizes the seriousness of the opposition David faced, helping readers understand the real dangers and fears behind his prayers.
  • Connecting to the wider psalm, this verse shows a pattern of honest, vulnerable prayer in times of trouble, which is a recurring theme throughout the Book of Psalms.

Where else these words appear

“wish” Hebrew H2655 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Kings 13:33 After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places.
  • Nehemiah 1:11 O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.
  • Psalms 35:27 Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

“driven” Hebrew H5472 · used in 14 verses

  • Psalms 35:4 Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
  • Psalms 78:57 But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.
  • Isaiah 42:17 They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.

“confounded” 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.

“destroy” Hebrew H5595 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
  • Deuteronomy 29:19 And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:
  • Proverbs 13:23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.