Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice.
Parallel translations
- WEB They may curse, but you bless. When they arise, they will be shamed, but your servant shall rejoice.
- BSB Though they curse, You will bless. When they rise up, they will be put to shame, but Your servant will rejoice.
- ESV Let them curse, but you will bless! They arise and are put to shame, but your servant will be glad!
- NKJV Let them curse, but You bless; When they arise, let them be ashamed, But let Your servant rejoice.
- NASB They will curse, but You bless; When they arise, they will be ashamed, But Your servant will be glad.
- NLT Then let them curse me if they like, but you will bless me! When they attack me, they will be disgraced! But I, your servant, will go right on rejoicing!
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Though his enemies curse him, David trusts that God will bless, and that the foes will be shamed while God's servant rejoices. He rests in the reversal God will bring.
Overview
David sets human cursing against divine blessing and is confident which prevails. The contrast between the shamed wicked and the rejoicing servant reflects the certain outcome of God's justice. It echoes the assurance that no curse can ultimately stand against those whom God blesses (Numbers 23:8; Romans 8:31).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Num 23:20Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.
- John 16:22And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
- Ps 109:17As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.
- Heb 12:2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Num 22:12And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.
- 2 Sam 16:10–13And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?
- Isa 65:13–16Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:
- Num 23:23Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 109:28 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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