Psalm 40:15
New International Version
May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame.

New Living Translation
Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!”

English Standard Version
Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”

Berean Standard Bible
May those who say to me, “Aha, aha!” be appalled at their own shame.

King James Bible
Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.

New King James Version
Let them be confounded because of their shame, Who say to me, “Aha, aha!”

New American Standard Bible
May those be appalled because of their shame Who say to me, “Aha, aha!”

NASB 1995
Let those be appalled because of their shame Who say to me, “Aha, aha!”

NASB 1977
Let those be appalled because of their shame Who say to me, “Aha, aha!”

Legacy Standard Bible
Let those be appalled because of their shame Who say to me, “Aha, aha!”

Amplified Bible
Let those be appalled and desolate because of their shame Who say to me, “Aha, aha [rejoicing in my misfortune]!”

Christian Standard Bible
Let those who say to me, “Aha, aha! ” be appalled because of their shame.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Let those who say to me, “Aha, aha!” be horrified because of their shame.

American Standard Version
Let them be desolate by reason of their shame That say unto me, Aha, aha.

Contemporary English Version
Embarrass and shame everyone who says, "Just look at you now!"

English Revised Version
Let them be desolate by reason of their shame that say unto me, Aha, Aha.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Let those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" be stunned by their own shame.

Good News Translation
May those who make fun of me be dismayed by their defeat.

International Standard Version
Let shame be the reward for those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"

Majority Standard Bible
May those who say to me, “Aha, aha!” be appalled at their own shame.

NET Bible
May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" be humiliated and disgraced!

New Heart English Bible
Let them be desolate by reason of their shame that tell me, "Aha. Aha."

Webster's Bible Translation
Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say to me, Aha, aha.

World English Bible
Let them be desolate by reason of their shame that tell me, “Aha! Aha!”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
They are desolate because of their shame, "" Who are saying to me, “Aha, aha.”

Young's Literal Translation
They are desolate because of their shame, Who are saying to me, 'Aha, aha.'

Smith's Literal Translation
They shall be made desolate for the reward of their shame, they saying to me, Aha! aha!
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Let them immediately bear their confusion, that say to me : 'T is well, 't is well.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Let them bear their confusion all at once, who say to me, “Well, well.”

New American Bible
Let those who say to me “Aha!” Be made desolate on account of their shame.

New Revised Standard Version
Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Let them be overthrown for their disgraceful conduct who say to me, Aha, aha!

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Let them be ashamed of their shame repeatedly, those who have said against me, "Aha, aha!"
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Let them be appalled by reason of their shame That say unto me: 'Aha, aha.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Let those that say to me, Aha, aha, quickly receive shame for their reward.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
I Waited Patiently for the LORD
14May those who seek my life be ashamed and confounded; may those who wish me harm be repelled and humiliated. 15May those who say to me, “Aha, aha!” be appalled at their own shame. 16May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, “The LORD be magnified!”…

Cross References
Psalm 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.

Psalm 70:2-3
May those who seek my life be ashamed and confounded; may those who wish me harm be repelled and humiliated. / May those who say, “Aha, aha!” retreat because of their shame.

Psalm 71:13
May the accusers of my soul be ashamed and consumed; may those who seek my harm be covered with scorn and disgrace.

Psalm 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.

Psalm 83:17
May they be ever ashamed and terrified; may they perish in disgrace.

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.

Isaiah 45:24
Surely they will say of Me, ‘In the LORD alone are righteousness and strength.’” All who rage against Him will come to Him and be put to shame.

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 and shatter them with double destruction.

Job 8:22
Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more.”

Lamentations 3:64-66
You will pay them back what they deserve, O LORD, according to the work of their hands. / Put a veil of anguish over their hearts; may Your curse be upon them! / You will pursue them in anger and exterminate them from under Your heavens, O LORD.

Matthew 5:11-12
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

Luke 6:22-23
Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. / Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For their fathers treated the prophets in the same way.

Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

2 Thessalonians 1:6
After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,

1 Peter 3:16
keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.


Treasury of Scripture

Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say to me, Aha, aha.

desolate

Psalm 69:24,25
Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them…

Psalm 70:3
Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.

Psalm 73:19
How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

say

Psalm 35:21
Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.

Psalm 70:3,4
Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha…

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Psalm 40
1. The benefit of confidence in God
6. Obedience is the best sacrifice
11. The sense of David's evils inflames his prayer














May those who say to me
This phrase introduces the adversaries of the psalmist, who are vocal in their opposition. The Hebrew root for "say" is "אָמַר" (amar), which often implies not just speaking but declaring or proclaiming. In the context of the Psalms, this can indicate a public or communal declaration against the psalmist, suggesting a level of hostility or mockery that is not just personal but also social. Historically, the psalmist often faced opposition from those who were not just enemies in a personal sense but were also opposed to the ways of God, reflecting a broader spiritual battle.

Aha, aha!
This expression is a transliteration of the Hebrew "הֶאָח" (he'ach), which is an exclamation of scorn or triumph over another's misfortune. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such expressions were common in taunting or mocking one's enemies. The repetition of "aha" intensifies the derision, indicating a deep-seated contempt or glee at the psalmist's distress. This mockery is not just a personal attack but an affront to the righteousness the psalmist represents, often seen as an attack on God's anointed or chosen.

be appalled
The Hebrew word here is "שָׁמֵם" (shamem), which means to be desolate, astonished, or horrified. This is a call for divine justice, where those who mock the righteous would be struck with a sense of horror or desolation at their own actions. The psalmist is invoking a reversal of fortunes, a common theme in the Psalms, where the wicked are brought low and the righteous are vindicated. This reflects a deep trust in God's justice and the ultimate moral order He upholds.

at their own shame
The word "shame" comes from the Hebrew "בּוּשׁ" (bush), which conveys a sense of disgrace or humiliation. In the biblical context, shame is often associated with being exposed or brought low due to one's actions. The psalmist is praying that those who mock him would come to a realization of their own moral and spiritual failings, leading to a sense of shame. This is not just a desire for personal vindication but a hope that the mockers would recognize their error and perhaps turn from their ways. Theologically, this reflects the biblical principle that those who oppose God's people ultimately oppose God Himself, and their shame is a result of this divine confrontation.

Verse 15. - Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame; rather, by reason of their shame (Kay, Alexander, Revised Version). Let the shame and disgrace that attach to them (ver. 14) cause them to be desolate, or deserted of all. That say unto me, Aha, aha! (comp. Psalm 35:21, 25).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
May those who say
הָאֹמְרִ֥ים (hā·’ō·mə·rîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to me,
לִ֝֗י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

“Aha,
הֶ֘אָ֥ח ׀ (he·’āḥ)
Interjection
Strong's 1889: Aha!

aha!”
הֶאָֽח׃ (he·’āḥ)
Interjection
Strong's 1889: Aha!

be appalled
יָ֭שֹׁמּוּ (yā·šōm·mū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8074: To stun, devastate, stupefy

at
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

their own shame.
בָּשְׁתָּ֑ם (bā·šə·tām)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1322: Shame, shameful thing


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OT Poetry: Psalm 40:15 Let them be desolate by reason (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 40:14
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