Bible Strands
Psalms 109:29
May my accusers be clothed with disgrace; may they wear their shame like a robe.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses God during a period of intense opposition, immediately after declaring that God will bless him while his opponents face shame. This curse follows the psalmist's vow to publicly thank the Lord for vindication.
The words — The Hebrew verb יִלְבְּשׁוּ (yil.be.Shu) means "may they be clothed," paired with כְּלִמָּה (ke.li.Mah) for "ignominy." The parallel line uses יַעֲטוּ (ya.'a.Tu), "may they be wrapped," with בֹּשֶׁת (bo.shet), "shame," to depict disgrace as a forced garment.
The thread — This garment-of-shame motif appears in Psalms 35:26 and Psalms 132:18, while Job 8:22 similarly describes the wicked's enemies being clothed in shame. The texts treat disgrace not as a fleeting emotion but as a public, inescapable status imposed by divine action.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to accept God's authority to invert human condemnation into public shame for the oppressor. It directs the afflicted toward patient endurance and public thanksgiving instead of personal retaliation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.
Cross-references
- Psalms 35:26 May those who gloat in my distress be ashamed and confounded; may those who exalt themselves over me be clothed in shame and reproach.
- Psalms 132:18 I will clothe his enemies with shame, but the crown upon him will gleam.”
- Job 8:22 Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more.”
- Jeremiah 20:11 But the LORD is with me like a fearsome warrior. Therefore, my persecutors will stumble and will not prevail. Since they have not succeeded, they will be utterly put to shame, with an everlasting disgrace that will never be forgotten.
- Psalms 6:10 All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed; they will turn back in sudden disgrace.
- Psalms 109:17 The cursing that he loved, may it fall on him; the blessing in which he refused to delight, may it be far from him.
- Psalms 140:9 May the heads of those who surround me be covered in the trouble their lips have caused.
- Daniel 12:2 And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.
- Micah 7:10 Then my enemy will see and will be covered with shame—she who said to me, “Where is the LORD your God?” My eyes will see her; at that time she will be trampled like mud in the streets.