Psalms 6:10
in Psalms 6All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed; they will turn back in sudden disgrace.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
All mine enemies shall be put to shame and sore troubled: They shall turn back, they shall be put to shame suddenly.
KJV
Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.
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This verse in Psalms 6
Commentary
15 notes on this verseHe prays not against his enemies but in their behalf so that they may be changed and may blush with shame at their sins; and they may blush not briefly but forcibly; not with delay but immediately.
This site's exposition
all you workers of iniquity
on Psalms 6:8-10
The psalm turns at verse 8, where he orders the workers of iniquity away, for the LORD has heard his weeping and accepts his prayer. Jesus speaks the same dismissal at Matthew 7:23, where He sends away the workers of lawlessness. His enemies turn back in sudden disgrace.
This site's exposition
All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed
Dismayed renders the verb used of his bones in verse 2 and his soul in verse 3. The terror he felt now passes to his foes, and turn back is the verb of verse 4, where he asked the LORD to turn. Their disgrace comes in a moment.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers3 voices
Let those who do not see their own iniquities and yet ridicule my failings mock me no longer. I won divine favor, in fact, and am confident that through my entreaties he will overlook my faults and make me a beneficiary of his pardon.
It is as if we saw someone about to fall down a cliff and stopped him with the words, "Fellow, where are you heading? A cliff lies in front of you," just so does this author demand that the evil people reverse their course. Likewise, too, unless you were quick to restrain a galloping horse, it would soon be lost. Likewise, too, when as frequently happens the poison of some serpent spreads through the whole of the body, physicians very promptly stop its spreading further, canceling its harmful effect. In exactly the same way do we behave, very promptly checking the evil in us lest it develop further and aggravate the ailment. The wounds of sin, you see, get worse when neglected, and the effects of disease and ill health do not stop short at wounds but even bring about undying death; similarly, if we dealt with small beginnings at the outset, greater consequences would not develop.… Accordingly, let us not be indifferent to the slightest sins but suppress them with great severity.
"Let all mine enemies be ashamed and vexed" [Psalm 6:10]. He said above, "depart from me all you:" which can take place, as it has been explained, even in this life: but as to what he says, "let them be ashamed and vexed," I do not see how it can happen, save on that day when the rewards of the righteous and the punishments of the sinners shall be made manifest. For at present so far are the ungodly from being ashamed, that they do not cease to insult us. And for the most part their mockings are of such avail, that they make the weak to be ashamed of the name of Christ. Hence it is said, "Whosoever shall be ashamed of Me before men, of him will I be ashamed before My Father." But now whosoever would fulfil those sublime commands, to disperse, to give to the poor, that his righteousness may endure for ever; and selling all his earthly goods, and spending them on the needy, would follow Christ, saying, "We brought nothing into this world, and truly we can carry nothing out; having food and raiment, let us be therewith content;" [1 Timothy 6:7-8] incurs the profane raillery of those men, and by those who will not be made whole, is called mad; and often to avoid being so called by desperate men, he fears to do, and puts off that, which the most faithful and powerful of all physicians has ordered. It is not then at present that these can be ashamed, by whom we have to wish that we be not made ashamed, and so be either called back from our proposed journey, or hindered, or delayed. But the time will come when they shall be ashamed, saying as it is written, "These are they whom we had sometimes in derision, and a parable of reproach: we fools counted their life madness, and their end to be without honour: how are they numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints? […]
The Medieval Church1 voice
Next, when he says "Let them be ashamed," he sets forth the fate of the enemies. As if it were said: you tell your enemies, "Depart." But what will become of them when they depart from you? Certainly, "Let them be ashamed," etc. These words …
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
To the chief musician on Neginoth, upon Sheminith, A psalm of David Title of the psalm. Upon Sheminith - Or, upon the eighth. It is thought to be the loftiest note, as Alamoth is the lowest; but this is only conjecture; the Jews themselves have no certain knowledge of their own ancient musick.
7 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
1 O L ORD , rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. 2 Have mercy upon me, O L ORD ; for I am weak: O L ORD , heal me; for my bones are vexed. 3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O L ORD , how long?
quarantine:scripture (2026-07-29) — scripture-overlap:84%@v1-3
Let them be (as all true penitents are) vexed at themselves for their own folly; let them return to a better temper and disposition of mind, and let them be ashamed of what they have done against me and take shame to themselves." 2. If they be not converted, it is a prediction of their confusion and ruin.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — odd-straight-quotes
Let all mine enemies be ashamed,....
The Nineteenth Century4 voices
Ashamed and sore vexed - May they as deeply deplore their transgressions as I have done mine! May they return; may they be suddenly converted! The original will bear this meaning, and it is the most congenial to Christian principles.
"Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed." This is rather a prophecy than an imprecation, it may be read in the future, "All my enemies shall be ashamed and sore vexed." They shall return and be ashamed instantaneously, —in a moment;—their doom shall come upon them suddenly. Death's day is doom's day, and both are sure and may be sudden. The Romans were wont to say, "The feet of the avenging Deity are shod with wool." With noiseless footsteps vengeance nears its victim, and sudden and overwhelming shall be its destroying stroke.
"Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed." This is rather a prophecy than an imprecation, it may be read in the future, "All my enemies shall be ashamed and sore vexed." They shall return and be ashamed instantaneously, —in a moment;—their doom shall come upon them suddenly. Death's day is doom's day, and both are sure and may be sudden. The Romans were wont to say, "The feet of the avenging Deity are shod with wool." With noiseless footsteps vengeance nears its victim, and sudden and overwhelming shall be its destroying stroke. If this were an imprecation, we must remember that the language of the old dispensation is not that of the new. We pray for our enemies, not against them. God have mercy on them, and bring them into the right way. Thus the Psalm, like those which preceed it, shews the different estates of the godly and the wicked. O Lord, let us be numbered with thy people, both now and forever!
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
Let all mine enemies be ashamed - Be so brought to see their folly that they shall be ashamed of their conduct. The wish is that they might be brought to see their own guilt - a wish certainly which it is right to cherish in regard to all evil-doers. And sore vexed - Compare the notes at Psa 5:10. The same Hebrew word is used here which occurs in Psa 6:2-3, and rendered “vexed.” It is a word which denotes trouble, trembling, consternation; and the meaning here is, that the psalmist prayed that they might be confounded or disconcerted in their plans - a prayer which is certainly proper in regard to all the purposes of the wicked. No one should desire that the purposes of the wicked should prosper; and not to desire this is to desire that they may be foiled and overcome in their schemes. This must be the wish of every good man. Let them return - Turn back, or be turned back; that is, let them be repulsed, and compelled to turn back from their present object. And be ashamed suddenly - Hebrew, “In a moment;” instantaneously. He desired that there might be no delay, but that their defeat might be accomplished at once. As it was right to pray that this might occur, so it was right to pray that it might occur without delay, or as speedily as possible. The sooner the plans of sinners are confounded, the better.
How the passage was read
What the Jewish commentators add
The Lord hath heard my supplication; The Lord will receive my prayer. – “He will” as though “He has received.” And the reason for He will (is): on this and every occasion when my prayer comes to Him, He will accept it with favour.
1 more on this passage, in their own words ▾
shall be ashamed and very frightened, etc. What is the meaning of “they shall return and be ashamed” a second time? Said Rabbi Johanan: In the future the Holy One, blessed be He, will judge the wicked of the nations of the world and sentence them to Gehinnom.
This section is reception history: how the passage was read and kept in the Jewish tradition. Where a reading parts from an essential of the Christian faith, the section says so at that point.
Texts and citation data: Sefaria; each excerpt follows its version’s licence. 3 further sources are cited on this chapter that carry no English text this site may quote or only restate the verse.
The words behind it
8 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| יֵבֹ֤שׁוּ׀ | yevoshu | may they be ashamed | H954 → | 127 times |
| וְיִבָּהֲל֣וּ | veyibahalu | and they may be disturbed | H926 → | 39 times |
| מְ֭אֹד | meod | exceedingly | H3966 → | 300 times |
| כָּל־ | kol- | all | H3605 → | 5413 times |
| אֹיְבָ֑י | ʾoyevai | enemies my | H341 → | 282 times |
| יָ֝שֻׁ֗בוּ | yashuvu | they will turn back | H7725 → | 1056 times |
| יֵבֹ֥שׁוּ | yevoshu | they will be ashamed | H954 → | 127 times |
| רָֽגַע׃ | raga' | a moment | H7281 → | 22 times |
יֵבֹ֤שׁוּ׀may they be ashamed
yevoshuH954 →127 times
וְיִבָּהֲל֣וּand they may be disturbed
veyibahaluH926 →39 times
מְ֭אֹדexceedingly
meodH3966 →300 times
כָּל־all
kol-H3605 →5413 times
אֹיְבָ֑יenemies my
ʾoyevaiH341 →282 times
יָ֝שֻׁ֗בוּthey will turn back
yashuvuH7725 →1056 times
יֵבֹ֥שׁוּthey will be ashamed
yevoshuH954 →127 times
רָֽגַע׃a moment
raga'H7281 →22 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Jeremiah 20:11But 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…
it leads to
- Jeremiah 1:19
They will fight against you but will never overcome you, since I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.
- Jeremiah 1:8
Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.
- Jeremiah 15:20
Then I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to save and deliver…
- Jeremiah 17:18
Let my persecutors be put to shame, but do not let me be put to shame. Let them be terrified, but do not let me be terrified. Bring upon them the day of disaster…
- Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand…
- Jeremiah 1:19
Through
Psalms 86:17Show me a sign of Your goodness, that my enemies may see and be ashamed; for You, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
it leads to
- Psalms 41:10–11
But You, O LORD, be gracious to me and raise me up, that I may repay them.
- Judges 6:17
Gideon answered, “If I have found favor in Your sight, give me a sign that it is You speaking with me.
- Psalms 71:20–21
Though You have shown me many troubles and misfortunes, You will revive me once again. Even from the depths of the earth You will bring me back up.
- Psalms 41:10–11
About Psalms
This page draws on 13 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Augustine of Hippo, Exposition on Psalm 6; Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Vol. 1; Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Psalms; Jamieson Fausset and Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; Jerome, BRIEF COMMENTARY ON PSALM 6; John Chrysostom, COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS 6:6; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theodoret of Cyrus, COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS 6:8 and Thomas Aquinas, Exposition on the Psalms of David.