Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist petitions God to reverse the mockery of his adversaries, positioned between a command to silence their arrogant claims in verse 25 and a directive for vindicators to celebrate God's justice in verse 27.
The words — The Hebrew יֵ֘בֹ֤שׁוּ (yevo.shu) and יִֽלְבְּשׁוּ (yilbe.shu) literally mean "may they be ashamed" and "may they be clothed," using garment imagery to describe the fate of the psalmist's opponents.
The thread — The motif of shame as a garment for adversaries appears in Job 8:22, while Job 19:5 records opponents using the speaker's disgrace to exalt themselves, and Psalms 38:16 only records the psalmist's prayer that taunters not gloat over his slip.
Why it lands — The text states that God will publicly shame those who exploit suffering, requiring readers to reject self-exaltation and recognize that divine justice, not human mockery, ultimately determines honor.
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 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.
Cross-references
- Job 8:22 Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more.”
- Psalms 38:16 For I said, “Let them not gloat over me—those who taunt me when my foot slips.”
- Job 19:5 If indeed you would exalt yourselves above me and use my disgrace against me,
- Psalms 132:18 I will clothe his enemies with shame, but the crown upon him will gleam.”
- Isaiah 41:11 Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish.
- Psalms 35:4 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 40:14 May those who seek my life be ashamed and confounded; may those who wish me harm be repelled and humiliated.
- Psalms 55:12 For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide.
- Psalms 71:13 May the accusers of my soul be ashamed and consumed; may those who seek my harm be covered with scorn and disgrace.
- Psalms 109:28 Though they curse, You will bless. When they rise up, they will be put to shame, but Your servant will rejoice.