The Meaning of Psalms 71:13 Explained

Psalms 71:13

KJV: Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.

YLT: They are ashamed, they are consumed, Who are opposing my soul, They are covered with reproach and blushing, Who are seeking my evil,

Darby: Let them be ashamed, let them be consumed, that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.

ASV: Let them be put to shame and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor that seek my hurt.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Let them be confounded  [and] consumed  that are adversaries  to my soul;  let them be covered  [with] reproach  and dishonour  that seek  my hurt. 

What does Psalms 71:13 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 71:13-24 - The Greatest Of All Workers
The singer glances both backward and forward. He goes back in thought to the time when he was cast on God at birth, and acknowledges that God has taught him from his youth and has enabled him to declare God's wondrous works. We may make the same retrospect, and as we muse on all that God has been to us, we may be assured that He will not forsake the work of His own hands, Psalms 138:8. His deliverances will give cause for endless praise, even when our eyes are closing and the heart waxes feeble in death.
But let us also think of those who are following us, and see to it that we leave behind some record of God's righteousness and salvation. Let us place a flaming torch in the hands of our children for them in turn to pass on. Let us show God's strength and power to those who are to come.
The best occupation for the aged is praise, Psalms 71:8; Psalms 71:14; Psalms 71:22-23. Thy mouth shall be filled"¦ shall tell"¦ shall talk. When our hearts are bubbling over with good matter, Psalms 45:1, we can leave our speech to take care of itself. Love will not lack for means of expression. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 71

1  David, in confidence of faith, and experience of God's favor, prays both for himself,
10  and against the enemies of his soul
14  He promises constancy
17  He prays for perseverance
19  He praises God, and promises to do it cheerfully

What do the individual words in Psalms 71:13 mean?

Let them be confounded [and] consumed who are adversaries of my life let them be covered [with] reproach and dishonor who seek my hurt
(יֵבֹ֣שׁוּ) יִכְלוּ֮ שֹׂטְנֵ֪י נַ֫פְשִׁ֥י יַֽעֲט֣וּ חֶ֭רְפָּה וּכְלִמָּ֑ה מְ֝בַקְשֵׁ֗י רָעָתִֽי

(יֵבֹ֣שׁוּ)  Let  them  be  confounded 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: בֹּושׁ 
Sense: to put to shame, be ashamed, be disconcerted, be disappointed.
יִכְלוּ֮  [and]  consumed 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: כָּלָה  
Sense: to accomplish, cease, consume, determine, end, fail, finish, be complete, be accomplished, be ended, be at an end, be finished, be spent.
שֹׂטְנֵ֪י  who  are  adversaries 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct
Root: שָׂטַן  
Sense: (Qal) to be or act as an adversary, resist, oppose.
נַ֫פְשִׁ֥י  of  my  life 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: נֶפֶשׁ  
Sense: soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion.
יַֽעֲט֣וּ  let  them  be  covered 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: עָטָה 
Sense: to cover, enwrap, wrap oneself, envelop oneself.
חֶ֭רְפָּה  [with]  reproach 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: חֶרְפָּה  
Sense: reproach, scorn.
וּכְלִמָּ֑ה  and  dishonor 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: כְּלִמָּה  
Sense: disgrace, reproach, shame, confusion, dishonour, insult, ignominy.
מְ֝בַקְשֵׁ֗י  who  seek 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Participle, masculine plural construct
Root: בָּקַשׁ  
Sense: to seek, require, desire, exact, request.
רָעָתִֽי  my  hurt 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: רַע 
Sense: bad, evil.