Psalms 6:10 Meaning and Explanation
“Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →May my enemies face shame and swift reversal.
The Context of Psalms 6:10
Closing prayer for justice and the vindication of the righteous.
What Does Psalms 6:10 Mean?
The final verse turns from personal lament to justice. The psalmist, now anchored in trust, calls for enemies to experience the same vexation (word used earlier for his own suffering) they inflicted. Sudden reversal (hastily/suddenly) emphasizes divine justice as quick and inescapable. This is not malice for its own sake but trust in moral order.
The return to enemies frames the whole psalm as a conflict situation—whether actual warfare, lawsuit, slander, or relational betrayal. The psalmist's confidence that God will vindicate him implies that enemies will see the error of their opposition. Shame before enemies was a real social and spiritual consequence in ancient thought.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 6:10
What does Psalms 6:10 mean?
May my enemies face shame and swift reversal.
What is the context of Psalms 6:10?
Closing prayer for justice and the vindication of the righteous.