Psalms 70:2
Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt. Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt.
Psalm 70 is a short psalm of only five verses that repeats the last five verses of Psalm 40. In that original setting the verse belongs to the section beginning at Psalm 40:11 that speaks of the psalmist himself rather than of Christ opening the door to the Gentiles and preaching righteousness in the great congregation. The change of tone shows it was written at another time and under different circumstances than the earlier verses about declaring righteousness, faithfulness and salvation.
The verse stands in Book II of the Psalms, which runs from Psalm 42 to Psalm 72, within the 150 praises called Tehillim, meaning praises or songs of praise set to music. It belongs to the hymn book of the Jews arranged for use in the temple service, part of the second of the five poetical books. It is written in Hebrew poetry marked by elevated style and distinctive choice of words and structure, serving as lamentation, prayer, praise and thanksgiving, often in prophetic language.
The verse is an inspired prayer asking God to bring shame, confusion and turning back upon those who seek the life of the speaker and desire his hurt. It is not a retaliatory and unchristian wish for personal revenge but a truly inspired prayer equivalent to a divine promise, put by the Holy Spirit into David's mouth because the Lord purposed to do that very thing. The prayer is directed against spiritual enemies whom God purposes to destroy, or if against human enemies, against them as enemies of Israel and of David as ruler of Israel, for the honor of God and the furtherance of His cause. When circumstances call for it, God's people may pray this prayer with assurance that God hears them.