Psalms 89:41

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours.

Complete Jewish Bible:

All who pass by plunder him; he is an object of scorn to his neighbors.

Berean Standard Bible:

All who pass by plunder him; he has become a reproach to his neighbors.

American Standard Version:

All that pass by the way rob him: He is become a reproach to his neighbors.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

All that pass by{H5674}{H8802)} the way{H1870} spoil{H8155}{H8804)} him: he is a reproach{H2781} to his neighbours{H7934}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Psalms 79:4

  • We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.

Jeremiah 42:18

  • For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more.

Psalms 74:10

  • O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?

Jeremiah 44:8

  • In that ye provoke me unto wrath with the works of your hands, burning incense unto other gods in the land of Egypt, whither ye be gone to dwell, that ye might cut yourselves off, and that ye might be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?

Ezekiel 5:14

  • Moreover I will make thee waste, and a reproach among the nations that [are] round about thee, in the sight of all that pass by.

Ezekiel 5:15

  • So it shall be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment unto the nations that [are] round about thee, when I shall execute judgments in thee in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. I the LORD have spoken [it].

Lamentations 5:1

  • ¶ Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach.

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Commentary for Psalms 89:41

Psalm 89:41 is part of a larger psalm attributed to Ethan the Ezrahite, which is a lament that reflects on the Davidic covenant and God's promises to David. The psalm begins with praise for God's faithfulness and might but shifts to a lament over the apparent abandonment of the Davidic king, likely written during a time of national crisis or when the monarchy was under threat.

The verse "All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours" speaks to the humiliation and distress of the anointed king of Israel. The language suggests that the king has become a target for plunder and ridicule by those who were once his subjects or allies. This implies a significant reversal of fortune, where the king, who should have been honored and respected, is now treated with contempt and disdain. The "spoiling" indicates that his enemies are taking advantage of his weakened state, stripping him of his possessions and dignity.

Historically, this verse could reflect periods during the divided monarchy when Israel or Judah was under attack, or when the king was deposed or taken into exile. It might also allude to the broader theme of the suffering servant, which is echoed in other parts of the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the book of Isaiah. The neighbors' reproach underscores the public nature of the king's downfall, highlighting the shame associated with his misfortune and the loss of prestige for the nation as a whole.

In summary, Psalm 89:41 captures a moment of deep national and royal despair, where the once-exalted king of Israel has fallen into such disgrace that he is now mocked and plundered by those around him, signaling a stark contrast to the glorious reign promised to David's line. This verse reflects the broader themes of the psalm, which grapples with the tension between God's covenantal promises and the stark realities of historical setbacks and personal suffering.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H5674
    There are 493 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָבַר
    Transliteration: ʻâbar
    Pronunciation: aw-bar'
    Description: a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation); alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath.
  2. Strong's Number: H1870
    There are 627 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: דֶּרֶךְ
    Transliteration: derek
    Pronunciation: deh'-rek
    Description: from דָּרַךְ; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb; along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever).
  3. Strong's Number: H8155
    There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁסַס
    Transliteration: shâçaç
    Pronunciation: shaw-sas'
    Description: a primitive root; to plunder; rifle, spoil.
  4. Strong's Number: H2781
    There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חֶרְפָּה
    Transliteration: cherpâh
    Pronunciation: kher-paw'
    Description: from חָרַף; contumely, disgrace, the pudenda; rebuke, reproach(-fully), shame.
  5. Strong's Number: H7934
    There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁכֵן
    Transliteration: shâkên
    Pronunciation: shaw-kane'
    Description: from שָׁכַן; a resident; by extension, a fellow-citizen; inhabitant, neighbour, nigh.