Psalms 70:3
“Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist asks God to turn back those who mock him with contempt.
Context
A prayer that mockers will experience shame as a consequence of their contempt.
What Does Psalms 70:3 Mean?
The 'Aha, aha' represents mocking laughter—the scornful sound of enemies gloating over the psalmist's suffering. This exclamation shows their hostility is not passive; they actively mock and jeer. The psalmist's prayer is that their very act of mockery will result in their own reversal and shame—that God will punish them for their contempt.
The phrase 'for a reward of their shame' indicates that their own shame becomes the consequence of their actions. This reflects a principle of divine justice: those who mock the suffering and helpless invite God's judgment. The prayer trusts that mockery directed at God's people will not go unanswered, and the mockers will themselves be put to shame.