Psalms 31:17 - Let me not be disappointed, Yahweh, for I have called on you. Let the wicked be disappointed. Let them be silent in Sheol.

Generated Verse: Psalms 31:17

What does "Psalms 31:17" mean?


Psalm 31:17 is a prayer, expressing the Psalmist's faith in God's justice and protection. Let's break down the meaning:

"Let me not be disappointed, Yahweh, for I have called on you." This is the core of the verse. The Psalmist is asking God to answer their prayers and not let them down. "Disappointed" in this context means feeling ashamed, humiliated, or let down because their hope in God proved to be unfounded. They have put their trust in God ("I have called on you"), and they ask that this trust not be in vain.

"Let the wicked be disappointed." This is a contrasting plea. The Psalmist wants the wicked (those who oppose God and His people) to experience the same sense of shame and failure that they fear for themselves. In essence, they are asking for divine justice: that the wicked's plans and actions against them would be thwarted and prove fruitless.

"Let them be silent in Sheol." Sheol is the Hebrew term for the underworld, the place of the dead. "Silent in Sheol" doesn't necessarily mean a physical death wish. It is more a figurative desire. It can mean:
Inactivity: The Psalmist wants the wicked to be rendered powerless, their schemes and voices silenced so that they can no longer harm the righteous.
Defeat: Being "silent" can represent their utter defeat and inability to continue their wicked ways. They are, in a sense, defeated so thoroughly that they might as well be dead (though not necessarily a literal death sentence).
Punishment in the afterlife: While the Old Testament's understanding of the afterlife is limited, it could also imply a negative fate in Sheol as a consequence of their wickedness.

In summary, Psalm 31:17 is a fervent prayer for God's protection and justice. The Psalmist expresses their unwavering trust in God and asks that He vindicate them by frustrating the plans of the wicked, ultimately rendering them powerless and silenced in their evil intentions. It highlights the stark contrast between the fate of the righteous, who find refuge in God, and the wicked, who face disappointment and defeat.