Bible Strands
Psalms 40:15
May those who say to me, “Aha, aha!” be appalled at their own shame.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist speaks as a targeted individual caught between a plea for his enemies' humiliation and a prayer for the joy of those who seek God.
The words — The Hebrew verb יָ֭שֹׁמּוּ (Ya.sho.mu) means “may they be appalled,” linked to עֵ֣קֶב בָּשְׁתָּ֑/ם ('E.kev ba.she.Ta/m), literally “on the consequence of their shame,” describing the sudden reversal of the mockers' triumph.
The thread — The psalmist’s response to the “Aha, aha!” cry with a plea for enemy shame runs in Psalms 35:21 and Psalms 35:25, while Psalms 69:24 parallels the request for divine wrath against those same opponents.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to accept that the immediate shame inflicted by opponents will be reversed by God's action rather than by the psalmist's own 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 them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
Cross-references
- Psalms 35:21 They gape at me and say, “Aha, aha! Our eyes have seen!”
- Psalms 35:25 Let them not say in their hearts, “Aha, just what we wanted!” Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up!”
- Psalms 69:24 Pour out Your wrath upon them, and let Your burning anger overtake them.
- Luke 19:43 For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side.
- Psalms 70:3 May those who say, “Aha, aha!” retreat because of their shame.
- Psalms 73:19 How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!
- Psalms 109:6 Set over him a wicked man; let an accuser stand at his right hand.
- Luke 21:23 How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! For there will be great distress upon the land and wrath against this people.