Lamentations 3:14

KJV

I was a derision to all my people; [and] their song all the day.

KJV (with Strong's)

I was a derision {H7814} to all my people {H5971}; and their song {H5058} all the day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I'm a laughingstock to all my people, the butt of their taunts all day long.

Berean Standard Bible

I am a laughingstock to all my people; they mock me in song all day long.

American Standard Version

I am become a derision to all my people, and their song all the day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Lamentations 3:14 vividly articulates the profound personal anguish and public humiliation experienced by the speaker, often identified with the prophet Jeremiah or as a personification of the beleaguered nation of Judah. The verse powerfully conveys how the individual has been reduced to an object of constant derision and mockery among their own community, transforming their deep suffering into a perverse form of entertainment. This intense shame, inflicted by those who should offer solace, underscores the speaker's profound isolation and rejection, highlighting the devastating psychological impact of communal scorn within a context of national catastrophe and divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Lamentations 3:14 is situated within the deeply personal lament of Chapter 3, which serves as the emotional and theological heart of the Book of Lamentations. While the preceding chapters lament the destruction of Jerusalem from a collective perspective, Chapter 3 shifts its focus to the "man who has seen affliction by the rod of his wrath" ([Lamentations 3:1](/lamentations/3-1 "Lamentations 3:1 - The Afflicted Man")), allowing for a more intimate and intense exploration of suffering. This verse, in particular, falls within the initial section of profound despair (verses 1-18), where the speaker meticulously details the overwhelming nature of divine judgment and its personal, crushing consequences. The immediate verses describe the speaker's physical and emotional torment, including being "hedged about so that I cannot escape" and "made to dwell in darkness like those long dead" ([Lamentations 3:7](/lamentations/3-7 "Lamentations 3:7 - Imprisoned by God")), and being made "a target for arrows" ([Lamentations 3:12](/lamentations/3-12 "Lamentations 3:12 - God's Arrows")). The public derision described in verse 14 thus intensifies the feeling of abandonment and adds a layer of social humiliation to an already unbearable burden, setting the stage for the pivotal turn toward hope and God's enduring faithfulness later in the chapter, beginning with the remembrance of God's steadfast love and mercies, which are "new every morning" ([Lamentations 3:21-23](/lamentations/3-21-23 "Lamentations 3:21-23 - Hope in God's Mercies")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Lamentations was composed in the immediate aftermath of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC, an unparalleled catastrophe that resulted in the destruction of the city, the revered Temple, and the forced exile of the Judean population. This period represented an unprecedented national trauma, marking the end of the Davidic monarchy and the devastating loss of national identity inextricably linked to the land and the Temple. In ancient Near Eastern societies, public shame, ridicule, and mockery were profoundly potent forms of punishment and social degradation, often considered worse than physical pain. To be made "a derision" and "their song" meant to be utterly stripped of honor, dignity, and social standing—a fate particularly devastating for a prophet whose authority and credibility were often tied to their public reputation and divine vindication. The "people" (`H5971`, _ʻam_) here refers to the very community that should have offered support or solidarity, highlighting the profound sense of betrayal and isolation felt by the speaker. This cultural context amplifies the verse's portrayal of suffering, as the prophet not only endures the consequences of divine judgment but also the scorn of those who should have been allies, reflecting the complete breakdown of social order and communal trust.

* **Key Themes:** Lamentations 3:14 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Profound Suffering and Humiliation**, demonstrating how divine judgment manifests not only in physical destruction but also in deep psychological and social torment. The public nature of the derision underscores the complete loss of honor and status, a severe consequence in ancient societies. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Isolation and Rejection**, particularly the painful reality of being scorned by one's own community, "all my people." This rejection by those closest to the speaker intensifies their agony and emphasizes the pervasive nature of the judgment, leaving the afflicted utterly alone. Thirdly, the verse subtly points to the theme of **Prophetic Identification with National Sin**. While the prophet himself may have been righteous, his suffering, including public ridicule, becomes an embodiment of the nation's collective shame and the just consequences of their rebellion against God. This identification foreshadows the suffering servant motif, where an innocent party bears the consequences of others' transgressions, a theme explored in depth in passages like [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **derision (Hebrew, _sᵉchôwq_):** From `H7814`, this word denotes laughter, scorn, or mockery, often with a sense of contempt or amusement at another's expense. In this context, it signifies that the speaker has become an object of ridicule, not just privately but publicly, suggesting a profound loss of dignity and respect. It implies a cruel, taunting form of amusement derived from the speaker's misfortune, turning their pain into a spectacle.
* **people (Hebrew, _ʻam_):** From `H5971`, this term refers to a congregated unit, specifically a tribe or nation, often referring to the people of Israel. The phrase "all my people" emphasizes the widespread nature of the mockery and the painful reality that it comes from within the speaker's own community—those who should have been a source of comfort or solidarity. This highlights a deep sense of betrayal and isolation, as the very fabric of communal support has disintegrated.
* **song (Hebrew, _nᵉgîynâh_):** From `H5058`, while often referring to instrumental music or a melody, in this context, "song" carries a distinctly negative connotation. It does not imply a joyful tune but rather a taunt, a mocking ditty, or a refrain of ridicule. The idea that the speaker has become "their song all the day" suggests that the mockery is constant, pervasive, and perhaps even catchy, turning the speaker's suffering into a common, repeatable subject of public entertainment and scorn, an inescapable torment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I was a derision to all my people":** This clause reveals the speaker's profound personal humiliation and the source of their torment. The "I" is the afflicted individual, likely Jeremiah, who embodies the suffering of Judah. To be "a derision" means to be an object of scorn and contempt, a source of mocking laughter for others. The phrase "to all my people" intensifies the pain immeasurably, indicating that this pervasive ridicule comes not from external enemies, but from their own community, those who should have offered support or empathy in a time of shared national crisis. This highlights a deep sense of betrayal and isolation, where the very bonds of kinship have turned into instruments of torment.
* **"[and] their song all the day":** This second clause further emphasizes the pervasive and continuous nature of the mockery. The speaker's plight has become a common "song" or taunt, suggesting that the ridicule is widespread, repeated, and perhaps even sung or chanted throughout the day. This transforms the speaker's suffering into a public spectacle, a source of entertainment for others, adding a layer of psychological torment to their already immense pain. The phrase "all the day" signifies the relentless, inescapable quality of this public shame, providing no respite from the constant barrage of scorn.

#### Literary Devices
Lamentations 3:14 masterfully employs several powerful literary devices to convey the speaker's profound anguish. **Metaphor** is strikingly evident in the phrase "their song all the day," where the speaker's suffering is not literally a song, but has become the subject of continuous, mocking taunts, akin to a repetitive and inescapable melody. This is amplified by **hyperbole** in "all the day," which emphasizes the incessant and inescapable nature of the ridicule, suggesting it is a torment without end. The verse also uses **personification** by attributing actions of "derision" and "song" to the speaker, making the speaker the very embodiment of the mockery, rather than merely its recipient. Furthermore, the stark contrast between "my people" and their actions of "derision" creates a powerful sense of **irony** and **pathos**, highlighting the tragic betrayal and isolation experienced by the afflicted, as those who should offer comfort instead inflict the deepest wounds.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Lamentations 3:14 profoundly illustrates the depths of human suffering, particularly when it involves public humiliation and rejection by one's own community. Theologically, it underscores the severity of divine judgment, demonstrating how the consequences of sin can extend beyond physical destruction to encompass deep psychological and social torment. This verse also resonates with the broader biblical theme of the righteous suffering at the hands of the wicked or even their own people, often as a result of their faithfulness to God or as an embodiment of national sin. It reflects a world where honor is lost, and the afflicted are stripped of dignity, a stark reminder of the brokenness caused by sin. Yet, within the larger context of Lamentations, even this profound despair serves as a necessary precursor to the turning point of hope found in God's enduring mercies, which are "new every morning" ([Lamentations 3:23](/lamentations/3-23 "Lamentations 3:23 - God's New Mercies")), offering a pathway from utter desolation to renewed trust in divine faithfulness.

* [Jeremiah 20:7](/jeremiah/20-7 "Jeremiah 20:7 - Jeremiah's Complaint of Mockery")
* [Psalm 44:13](/psalms/44-13 "Psalm 44:13 - A Reproach to Our Neighbors")
* [Job 12:4](/job/12-4 "Job 12:4 - Job's Derision by Friends")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Lamentations 3:14 offers a poignant window into the pain of public humiliation and rejection, a suffering that transcends time and culture. In a world increasingly shaped by social media and public opinion, the experience of being "a derision" or "their song" can manifest in new and painful ways, from online bullying and cancel culture to public shaming and ostracization. This verse calls us to cultivate profound empathy for those who are scorned, marginalized, or ridiculed, whether for their faith, their circumstances, or their differences. It reminds us that true compassion involves standing with the afflicted, rather than joining the chorus of mockery or amplifying the voices of scorn. For those who feel like the speaker in this verse—isolated, betrayed, and publicly shamed—it is a powerful reminder that even in the deepest valleys of despair, their suffering is seen and understood by a compassionate God. While the immediate context is one of judgment, the broader message of Lamentations points to the enduring hope found in God's unfailing love and compassion, which invites us to turn to Him even when all human comfort fails and the world turns its back.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the idea of being "a derision to all my people" resonate with experiences of rejection or mockery in contemporary society, particularly in the digital age?**
* **What is our responsibility as believers when we witness others being publicly shamed or ridiculed, whether justly or unjustly, and how can we respond with Christ-like compassion?**
* **In what ways might our own actions or words, even unintentionally, contribute to making someone else "their song all the day," and how can we guard against this?**
* **How can we find solace and maintain our dignity and identity in Christ when we feel isolated, betrayed, and scorned by those who should support us?**

### FAQ
**Why is the speaker mocked by "all my people" instead of enemies?**

Answer: The suffering described in Lamentations 3:14 is particularly acute and agonizing because the mockery comes from "all my people" (`H5971`, _ʻam_), meaning the speaker's own community or nation. This emphasizes a profound sense of betrayal and isolation that cuts deeper than external opposition. In the context of the destruction of Jerusalem, the prophet (traditionally Jeremiah) had often delivered unpopular messages of impending judgment and calls for repentance. When these prophecies tragically came true, the prophet, who had faithfully delivered God's word, might have become a scapegoat or an object of scorn for a people grappling with their own immense suffering, guilt, and the devastating consequences of their national sin. It highlights the painful reality that sometimes those closest to us, or those we serve diligently, can become the source of our deepest pain and public humiliation. This internal rejection adds a layer of psychological torment beyond what external enemies might inflict, as seen in other prophetic laments like [Jeremiah 20:7-10](/jeremiah/20-7-10 "Jeremiah 20:7-10 - Jeremiah's Persecution and Complaint").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Lamentations 3:14, with its poignant depiction of the righteous suffering public derision and becoming "their song all the day," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The prophet's experience of being scorned by "all my people" powerfully prefigures the rejection and relentless mockery that Jesus endured at the hands of His own nation, Israel. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus was often ridiculed, disbelieved, and ultimately condemned by the religious leaders and even the very crowds He came to save, as vividly captured in passages like [Matthew 27:27-31](/matthew/27-27-31 "Matthew 27:27-31 - The Soldiers Mock Jesus"), where Roman soldiers mock Him, or [Luke 23:35](/luke/23-35 "Luke 23:35 - The Rulers Scoff at Jesus"), where the rulers scoff at Him on the cross. He was truly made "a derision" and "their song" as people wagged their heads, hurled insults, and challenged Him to save Himself, echoing the very taunts of the psalmists ([Matthew 27:39-44](/matthew/27-39-44 "Matthew 27:39-44 - Mockery at the Cross")). Unlike the prophet who suffered for the nation's sin, Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, willingly embraced this ultimate humiliation, not for His own transgressions, but to bear the shame, sin, and curse of all humanity. His public scorn on the cross, becoming a spectacle of derision, was the very means by which He secured our redemption, offering us true honor, dignity, and acceptance in God's sight, transforming the "song" of mockery into an eternal hymn of salvation and triumph ([Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8-11 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 20:7

¶ O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.

Lamentations 3:63

Behold their sitting down, and their rising up; I [am] their musick.

Psalms 22:6

But I [am] a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.

Psalms 22:7

All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, [saying],

Psalms 69:11

I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.

Psalms 69:12

They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I [was] the song of the drunkards.

Psalms 123:3

Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.