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Psalms 31:17

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

Don't let me be put to shame, O LORD, because I have called out to you for help. Instead, let the wicked be the ones who are ashamed, and let them be silenced in death.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

The writer is asking God to protect him from shame since he has faithfully called upon God, while requesting that evil people face the consequences of their actions.

📚 Historical Context

Psalms 31 is attributed to King David and is a psalm of lament and trust in God, written during times of personal distress and persecution by enemies. In ancient Israelite culture, shame was a deep social and emotional wound, often tied to public humiliation or defeat, and David frequently expressed such pleas in his prayers for deliverance. This verse reflects David's reliance on God's justice, contrasting his own faithfulness with the fate of the wicked.

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