Psalm 13:4
New International Version
and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

New Living Translation
Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!” Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.

English Standard Version
lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

Berean Standard Bible
lest my enemy say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes rejoice when I fall.

King James Bible
Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

New King James Version
Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him”; Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

New American Standard Bible
And my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.

NASB 1995
And my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.

NASB 1977
Lest my enemy say, “I have overcome him,” Lest my adversaries rejoice when I am shaken.

Legacy Standard Bible
Lest my enemy says, “I have overcome him,” And my adversaries rejoice that I am shaken.

Amplified Bible
And my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.

Christian Standard Bible
My enemy will say, “I have triumphed over him,” and my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
My enemy will say, “I have triumphed over him,” and my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.

American Standard Version
Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; Lest mine adversaries rejoice when I am moved.

Contemporary English Version
My enemies will say, "Now we've won!" They will be greatly pleased when I am defeated.

English Revised Version
Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; lest mine adversaries rejoice when I am moved.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
and my enemy will say, "I have overpowered him." My opponents will rejoice because I have been shaken.

Good News Translation
Don't let my enemies say, "We have defeated him." Don't let them gloat over my downfall.

International Standard Version
Otherwise, my enemy will say, "I have overcome him;" Otherwise, my persecutor will rejoice when I am shaken.

Majority Standard Bible
lest my enemy say, ?I have overcome him,? and my foes rejoice when I fall.

NET Bible
Then my enemy will say, "I have defeated him!" Then my foes will rejoice because I am upended.

New Heart English Bible
Lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed against him," and my adversaries rejoice when I fall.

Webster's Bible Translation
Lest my enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

World English Bible
lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him;” lest my adversaries rejoice when I fall.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Lest my enemy say, “I overcame him,” "" My adversaries rejoice when I am moved.

Young's Literal Translation
Lest mine enemy say, 'I overcame him,' Mine adversaries joy when I am moved.

Smith's Literal Translation
Look upon, answer me, O Jehovah my God: enlighten mine eyes, lest I shall sleep the death;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Consider, and hear me, O Lord my God. Enlighten my eyes that I never sleep in death:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Look upon me and listen to me, O Lord my God. Enlighten my eyes, lest I fall asleep forever in death,

New American Bible
Look upon me, answer me, LORD, my God! Give light to my eyes lest I sleep in death,

New Revised Standard Version
and my enemy will say, “I have prevailed”; my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him, and those that trouble me rejoice when I am shaken.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And let not my enemies say, "I have beaten him”, neither let them rejoice against me in my afflictions when I am shaken.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Lest mine enemy say: 'I have prevailed against him'; Lest mine adversaries rejoice when I am moved.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
lest at any time mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him: my persecutors will exult if ever I should be moved.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
How Long, O LORD?
3Consider me and respond, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death, 4lest my enemy say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes rejoice when I fall. 5But I have trusted in Your loving devotion; my heart will rejoice in Your salvation.…

Cross References
Psalm 35:19
Let not my enemies gloat over me without cause, nor those who hate me without reason wink in malice.

Psalm 41:11
By this I know that You delight in me, for my enemy does not triumph over me.

Psalm 89:42
You have exalted the right hand of his foes; You have made all his enemies rejoice.

Psalm 44:13-16
You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, a mockery and derision to those around us. / You have made us a byword among the nations, a laughingstock among the peoples. / All day long my disgrace is before me, and shame has covered my face, ...

Psalm 25:2
in You, my God, I trust. Do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.

Psalm 38:16
For I said, “Let them not gloat over me—those who taunt me when my foot slips.”

Psalm 74:10
How long, O God, will the enemy taunt You? Will the foe revile Your name forever?

Psalm 79:4
We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those around us.

Psalm 83:2-4
See how Your enemies rage, how Your foes have reared their heads. / With cunning they scheme against Your people and conspire against those You cherish, / saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.”

Psalm 89:51
how Your enemies have taunted, O LORD, and have mocked every step of Your anointed one!

Psalm 94:3-4
How long will the wicked, O LORD, how long will the wicked exult? / They pour out arrogant words; all workers of iniquity boast.

Psalm 143:3
For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead.

Lamentations 2:16
All your enemies open their mouths against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth, saying, “We have swallowed her up. This is the day for which we have waited. We have lived to see it!”

Micah 7:8
Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.

Job 16:9
His anger has torn me and opposed me; He gnashes His teeth at me. My adversary pierces me with His eyes.


Treasury of Scripture

Lest my enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

Lest

Psalm 10:11
He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.

Psalm 25:2
O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

Psalm 35:19,25
Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause…

I have

Psalm 9:19
Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.

Jeremiah 1:19
And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.

Lamentations 1:16
For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.

when

Psalm 55:22
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 62:2,6
He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved…

Psalm 112:6
Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.

Jump to Previous
Adversaries Enemy Fall Foes Glad Joy Joyful Moved Overcame Overcome Prevailed Rejoice Shaken Trouble Troubling
Jump to Next
Adversaries Enemy Fall Foes Glad Joy Joyful Moved Overcame Overcome Prevailed Rejoice Shaken Trouble Troubling
Psalm 13
1. David complains of delay
3. He prays for preventing grace
5. He boasts of divine mercy














lest my enemy say
The phrase "lest my enemy say" reflects a deep concern for the perception and triumph of adversaries. In the Hebrew text, the word for "enemy" is "oyev," which denotes not just a personal adversary but also a broader sense of opposition, including spiritual enemies. This highlights the psalmist's fear of disgrace and the desire for God's intervention to prevent any triumph of evil over righteousness. Historically, the Israelites often faced physical enemies, but this also symbolizes the spiritual battles believers face, emphasizing the need for divine protection and vindication.

I have overcome him
The phrase "I have overcome him" speaks to the fear of defeat and humiliation. The Hebrew root "yachal" implies not just a simple victory but a complete subjugation or prevailing over someone. This reflects the psalmist's anxiety about being utterly defeated by his enemies, which would not only be a personal loss but also a reflection on God's power and protection. In a broader scriptural context, this echoes the ongoing struggle between good and evil, where believers seek assurance that God will ultimately prevail.

and my foes rejoice
"And my foes rejoice" captures the emotional impact of potential defeat. The word "foes" in Hebrew is "tsarar," which can mean adversaries or those who cause distress. The idea of these foes rejoicing is particularly painful, as it suggests a celebration of the psalmist's downfall. This reflects a common biblical theme where the righteous suffer while the wicked seem to prosper, challenging believers to trust in God's justice and timing.

when I am shaken
The phrase "when I am shaken" conveys a sense of vulnerability and instability. The Hebrew word "mowt" means to totter or be moved, suggesting a loss of footing or security. This imagery is powerful, as it portrays the psalmist's fear of being destabilized by his enemies. In a spiritual sense, it represents moments of doubt and fear that believers experience, reminding them of the importance of relying on God's strength to remain steadfast in faith. Historically, this reflects the trials faced by God's people, encouraging believers to seek refuge in God's unwavering support.

Verse 4. - Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him. The triumph of David's enemy over him, whether he were Saul or any one else, even the ideal wicked man, would be the triumph of evil over good, of those who had cast God behind their back over those who faithfully served him, of irreligion over piety. He could therefore appeal to God - not in his own personal interest, but in the interest of truth and right, and the general good of mankind - to prevent his enemy's triumph. And those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. There would be a general rejoicing on the part of all his foes, if his arch-enemy succeeded in seriously injuring him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
lest
פֶּן־ (pen-)
Conjunction
Strong's 6435: Removal, lest

my enemy
אֹיְבִ֣י (’ō·yə·ḇî)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary

say,
יֹאמַ֣ר (yō·mar)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“I have overcome him,”
יְכָלְתִּ֑יו (yə·ḵā·lə·tîw)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3201: To be able, have power

and my foes
צָרַ֥י (ṣā·ray)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6862: Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent

rejoice
יָ֝גִ֗ילוּ (yā·ḡî·lū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1523: To spin round, rejoice, fear

when
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I fall.
אֶמּֽוֹט׃ (’em·mō·wṭ)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 4131: To waver, to slip, shake, fall


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OT Poetry: Psalm 13:4 Lest my enemy say I have prevailed (Psalm Ps Psa.)
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