Psalm 71:13 Study Bible: Let my accusers be put to shame and consumed. Let them be covered with disgrace and scorn who want to harm me.

◄ Psalm 71:13 ►

May the accusers of my soul be ashamed and consumed; may those who seek my harm be covered with scorn and disgrace.

May the accusers of my soul be ashamed and consumed;
This phrase reflects a plea for divine justice against those who falsely accuse or persecute the psalmist. In biblical context, false accusation was a serious offense, often leading to severe consequences for the accused. The psalmist's call for the accusers to be "ashamed and consumed" aligns with the principle of divine retribution found throughout Scripture, where God is seen as the ultimate judge who vindicates the righteous (Psalm 35:4, Psalm 109:29). The imagery of being "consumed" suggests total defeat or destruction, which is a common theme in the Psalms when referring to the fate of the wicked (Psalm 37:20). This plea can also be seen as a type of Christ, who faced false accusations and sought the Father’s justice (Matthew 26:59-61).

may those who seek my harm be covered with scorn and disgrace.
The desire for those who seek harm to be "covered with scorn and disgrace" indicates a wish for public humiliation and dishonor. In ancient Near Eastern culture, honor and shame were pivotal societal values. To be covered with scorn and disgrace was to be publicly shamed, losing one's social standing and respect. This reflects the psalmist's desire for a reversal of fortunes, where the oppressors experience the shame they intended for the righteous. This theme is echoed in other parts of Scripture, such as in the story of Haman in the Book of Esther, where the plotter of evil is ultimately humiliated (Esther 7:10). Theologically, this can be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate triumph of good over evil, a theme that culminates in the victory of Christ over sin and death (Colossians 2:15).

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Psalmist
Traditionally attributed to David, the psalmist is a figure seeking God's protection and justice against his enemies.

2. Accusers
These are the individuals or groups who are opposing the psalmist, seeking to harm or discredit him.

3. Enemies
Those who actively seek the harm of the psalmist, representing forces of evil or opposition.

4. God
The ultimate judge and protector, whom the psalmist calls upon for deliverance and justice.

5. Israel
The broader context of the psalm often reflects the struggles and faith of the nation of Israel.

Teaching Points

Trust in Divine Justice
The psalmist's plea is a reminder to trust in God's justice rather than seeking personal revenge.

Prayer for Protection
Believers are encouraged to bring their fears and concerns about adversaries to God in prayer.

God's Sovereignty Over Enemies
The psalmist acknowledges that God has the power to disgrace and consume those who oppose His people.

Righteousness and Vindication
The psalmist's call for his accusers to be covered with scorn and shame reflects a desire for righteousness to prevail.

Endurance in Faith
Despite opposition, the psalmist remains steadfast in faith, serving as an example for believers to endure through trials.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the psalmist's approach to dealing with his enemies reflect a trust in God's justice rather than personal vengeance?

2. In what ways can we apply the psalmist's prayer for protection in our own lives when facing opposition?

3. How does the theme of divine justice in Psalm 71:13 connect with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament about loving our enemies?

4. What can we learn from the psalmist's faith and endurance in the face of adversity, and how can this be applied to modern-day challenges?

5. How do the themes of disgrace and shame for the wicked in Psalm 71:13 align with other biblical teachings on the fate of the unrighteous?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Psalm 35:4-6
Similar themes of seeking God's intervention against enemies and asking for their downfall.

2 Timothy 4:14-18
Paul speaks of being rescued from harmful people, showing a New Testament parallel of seeking God's deliverance.

Romans 12:19
Encourages believers to leave vengeance to God, aligning with the psalmist's plea for divine justice.

Proverbs 3:33-35
Discusses the fate of the wicked, which aligns with the psalmist's desire for his enemies to be disgraced.

Sermons

The Suffering Righteous Man in His Old Age	C. Short	Psalm 71:1-13
A Picture of a Pious Old Man	Homilist	Psalm 71:1-24
Godly Old Age	W. Forsyth	Psalm 71:1-24
The Vow of Faith	R. C. Ford, M. A.	Psalm 71:1-24

People

Psalmist, Solomon

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Accusers, Adversaries, Ashamed, Blushing, Confounded, Confusion, Consumed, Covered, Disappointed, Disgrace, Dishonor, Dishonour, Evil, Harm, Haters, Honour, Hurt, Injure, Low, Opposing, Overcome, Perish, Reproach, Scorn, Seek, Seeking, Shame, Soul

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Psalm 71:13

     5836   disgrace
     5947   shame
     6115   blame

Library

December 22. "My Tongue Also Shall Talk of Thy Righteousness all the Day Long" (Ps. Lxxi. 24).
"My tongue also shall talk of Thy righteousness all the day long" (Ps. lxxi. 24). It is a simple law of nature, that air always comes in to fill a vacuum. You can produce a draught at any time, by heating the air until it ascends, and then the cold air rushes in to supply its place. And so we can always be filled with the Holy Spirit by providing a vacuum. This breath is dependent upon exhausting the previous breath before you can inhale a fresh one. And so we must empty our hearts of the last breath …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

More and More
David had not been slack in praise: indeed, he was a sweet singer in Israel, a very choir-master unto the Lord yet he vowed to praise him more and more. Those who do much already, are usually the people who can do more. He was old. Would he praise God more when he was infirm than he had done when he was young and vigorous? If he could not excel with loudness of voice, yet would he with eagerness of heart; and what his praise might lack in sound, it should gain in solemn earnestness. He was in trouble …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Of Four Things which Bring Great Peace
"My Son, now will I teach thee the way of peace and of true liberty." 2. Do, O my Lord, as Thou sayest, for this is pleasing unto me to hear. 3. "Strive, My Son, to do another's will rather than thine own. Choose always to have less rather than more. Seek always after the lowest place, and to be subject to all. Wish always and pray that the will of God be fulfilled in thee. Behold, such a man as this entereth into the inheritance of peace and quietness." 4. O my Lord, this Thy short discourse …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Of the Day of Eternity and of the Straitnesses of this Life
Oh most blessed mansion of the City which is above! Oh most clear day of eternity which the night obscureth not, but the Supreme Truth ever enlighteneth! Day always joyful, always secure and never changing its state into those which are contrary. Oh would that this day might shine forth, and that all these temporal things would come to an end. It shineth indeed upon the Saints, glowing with unending brightness, but only from afar and through a glass, upon those who are pilgrims on the earth. …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

For Old Age. --Ps. Lxxi.
For Old Age.--Ps. lxxi. Lord, I have put my trust in Thee, Turn not my confidence to shame; Thy promise is a rock to me, A tower of refuge is Thy name. Thou hast upheld me from the womb; Thou wert my strength and hope in youth; Now trembling, bending o'er the tomb, I lean upon Thine arm of truth. Though I have long outlived my peers, And stand amid the world alone, (A stranger left by former years), I know my God,--by Him am known. Cast me not off in mine old age, Forsake me not in my last hour; …
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns

They all Hold Swords, Being Expert in War; Every Man Hath his Sword Upon his Thigh Because of Fear in the Night.
They all hold swords to engage in combat with the soul which, by a secret presumption, attributes to self what belongs to God only; and this causes them to exclaim with united voice; Who is like unto God? The Divine Righteousness is the first that comes to fight with and destroy the self-righteousness of the creature, and then comes strength to bring to naught the power of man, and causing him to enter by experience of his own infinite weakness into the strength of the Lord (Psalm lxxi. 16), teaches …
Madame Guyon—Song of Songs of Solomon

Letter Xlv (Circa A. D. 1140) to the Canons of Lyons, on the Conception of S. Mary.
To the Canons of Lyons, on the Conception of S. Mary. Bernard states that the Festival of the Conception was new; that it rested on no legitimate foundation; and that it should not have been instituted without consulting the Apostolic See, to whose opinion he submits. 1. It is well known that among all the Churches of France that of Lyons is first in importance, whether we regard the dignity of its See, its praiseworthy regulations, or its honourable zeal for learning. Where was there ever the vigour …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

The Baptismal Covenant Can be Kept Unbroken. Aim and Responsibility of Parents.
We have gone "to the Law and to the Testimony" to find out what the nature and benefits of Baptism are. We have gathered out of the Word all the principal passages bearing on this subject. We have grouped them together, and studied them side by side. We have noticed that their sense is uniform, clear, and strong. Unless we are willing to throw aside all sound principles of interpretation, we can extract from the words of inspiration only one meaning, and that is that the baptized child is, by virtue …
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

But Concerning True Patience, Worthy of the Name of this virtue...
12. But concerning true patience, worthy of the name of this virtue, whence it is to be had, must now be inquired. For there are some [2650] who attribute it to the strength of the human will, not which it hath by Divine assistance, but which it hath of free-will. Now this error is a proud one: for it is the error of them which abound, of whom it is said in the Psalm, "A scornful reproof to them which abound, and a despising to the proud." [2651] It is not therefore that "patience of the poor" which …
St. Augustine—On Patience

The Christian's Hope
Scripture references: 1 Timothy 1:1; Colossians 1:27; Psalm 130:5; 43:5; Proverbs 10:8; Acts 24:15; Psalm 71:5; Romans 5:1-5; 12:12; 15:4; 1 Corinthians 9:10; Galatians 5:5; Ephesians 1:18; Philippians 1:20; Colossians 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2:19; Titus 1:2; 2:13; 3:7; Psalm 31:24; 71:14,15. HOPE IN THE PRESENT LIFE That which a man ardently hopes for he strives to realize. If he desires fame, office or wealth he will seek to set forces in motion, here and now, which will bring him that which …
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

Let Thus Much have Been Said with Regard to Charity...
20. Let thus much have been said with regard to charity, without which in us there cannot be true patience, because in good men it is the love of God which endureth all things, as in bad men the lust of the world. But this love is in us by the Holy Spirit which was given us. Whence, of Whom cometh in us love, of Him cometh patience. But the lust of the world, when it patiently bears the burdens of any manner of calamity, boasts of the strength of its own will, like as of the stupor of disease, not …
St. Augustine—On Patience

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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