Deep Dive

Psalms 70:2

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May those who seek my life be ashamed and confounded; may those who wish me harm be repelled and humiliated.

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 2

This psalm is adapted to a state of affliction; it is copied almost word for word from the fortieth, and, some think for that reason, is entitled, "a psalm to bring to remembrance;" for it may be of use sometimes to pray over the prayers we have formerly made to God upon similar occasions, which may be done with new affections. David here prays that God would send, I. Help to himself (Psa 70:1, Psa 70:5). II. Shame to his enemies (Psa 70:2, Psa 70:3). III. Joy to his friends (Psa 70:4). These five verses were the last five verses of Ps. 40. He seems to have intended this short prayer to be both for himself and us a salve for every sore, and therefore to be always in mind; and in singing we may apply it to our particular troubles, whatever they are. To the chief musician. A psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 2

בּוּשׁ (bûwsh, H954) — properly, to pale, i.e. by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be… חָפֵר (châphêr, H2659) — to blush; figuratively, to be ashamed, disappointed; causatively, to shame, reproach בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… סוּג (çûwg, H5472) — properly, to flinch, i.e. (by implication) to go back, literally (to retreat) or… אָחוֹר (ʼâchôwr, H268) — the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West כָּלַם (kâlam, H3637) — properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult חָפֵץ (châphêts, H2655) — pleased with רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Psalms 35:4rank 8

May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plan to harm me be driven back and confounded.

Psalms 35:26rank 7

May those who gloat in my distress be ashamed and confounded; may those who exalt themselves over me be clothed in shame and reproach.

Isaiah 41:11rank 6

Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish.

John 18:6rank 5

When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

Psalms 109:29rank 5

May my accusers be clothed with disgrace; may they wear their shame like a robe.

Psalms 71:13rank 5

May the accusers of my soul be ashamed and consumed; may those who seek my harm be covered with scorn and disgrace.

Psalms 6:10rank 4

All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed; they will turn back in sudden disgrace.

Isaiah 28:13rank 2

Then the word of the LORD to them will become: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there,” so that they will go stumbling backward and will be injured, ensnared, and captured.

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