Bible Strands
Psalms 69:6
May those who hope in You not be ashamed through me, O Lord GOD of Hosts; may those who seek You not be dishonored through me, O God of Israel.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses Yahweh directly, pleading that his own guilt and public suffering not become a stumbling block for others. He speaks from a moment of acute personal exposure, asking God to shield the faith of those who trust in Him from the damage of the psalmist's circumstances.
The words — The text pairs יֵ֘בֹ֤שׁוּ (yevooshu) meaning "they be ashamed" with יִכָּ֣לְמוּ (yikhalmu) meaning "they be humiliated," both preceded by אַל (al) to form a negative jussive: "may they not..." The psalmist explicitly states that his own conduct or fate must not cause those who wait for or seek God to face disgrace.
The thread — This formulation reinforces the covenant assurance that those who wait for the Lord will not ultimately be put to shame (Psalms 25:3). It directly contrasts with the psalmist's own reality in the immediate context, where he has endured scorn and shame has covered his face (Psalms 69:7).
Why it lands — The verse requires a reader to ensure that their personal failures or hardships never become a cause for others to abandon their trust in God. It demands practical accountability, asking whether one's life is actively protecting or inadvertently undermining the faith of those who look to them.
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 not them that wait on thee, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.
Cross-references
- Psalms 25:3 Surely none who wait for You will be put to shame; but those who engage in treachery without cause will be disgraced.
- 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.
- Luke 24:19 “What things?” He asked. “The events involving Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. “This man was a prophet, powerful in speech and action before God and all the people.
- Psalms 72:18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.
- Isaiah 49:23 Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame.”
- Psalms 7:7 Let the assembled peoples gather around You; take Your seat over them on high.
- 2 Samuel 23:3 The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,
- Acts 13:23 From the descendants of this man, God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as He promised.
- Acts 4:7 They had Peter and John brought in and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
- Acts 13:17 The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers. He made them into a great people during their stay in Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out of that land.