Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 6:10

"All mine enemies shall be put to shame and sore troubled: They shall turn back, they shall be put to shame suddenly." — Psalms 6:10 (ASV)

Let all my enemies be ashamed - May they be brought to see their folly so that they will be ashamed of their conduct. The wish is that they might be brought to see their own guilt - a wish that is certainly right to cherish in regard to all evildoers.

And sore vexed - Compare the notes at Psalms 5:10. The same Hebrew word is used here that occurs in Psalms 6:2-3 and is translated as “vexed.” It is a word that denotes trouble, trembling, and consternation; and the meaning here is that the psalmist prayed that they might be confounded or disconcerted in their plans - a prayer that is certainly proper in regard to all the purposes of the wicked. No one should desire that the purposes of the wicked should prosper; not to desire this is to desire that they may be foiled and overcome in their schemes. This must be the wish of every good person.

Let them return - Turn back, or be turned back; that is, may they be repulsed and compelled to turn back from their present object.

And be ashamed suddenly - In Hebrew, “In a moment,” instantaneously. He desired that there might be no delay, but that their defeat might be accomplished at once. As it was right to pray that this might occur, so it was right to pray that it might occur without delay, or as quickly as possible. The sooner the plans of sinners are confounded, the better.