Psalms 123:4

KJV

Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, [and] with the contempt of the proud.

KJV (with Strong's)

Our soul {H5315} is exceedingly {H7227} filled {H7646} with the scorning {H3933} of those that are at ease {H7600}, and with the contempt {H937} of the proud {H3238}{H1343}{H1349}.

Complete Jewish Bible

more than our fill of scorn from the complacent and contempt from the arrogant.

Berean Standard Bible

We have endured much scorn from the arrogant, much contempt from the proud.

American Standard Version

Our soul is exceedingly filled With the scoffing of those that are at ease, And with the contempt of the proud.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 123:4 profoundly articulates the deep, pervasive emotional and spiritual distress experienced by the righteous who are subjected to the relentless scorn and contempt of the arrogant and complacent. It gives voice to a soul overwhelmed by the persistent mockery of those who appear to prosper without regard for God, justice, or the suffering of others, highlighting the profound burden felt by those who humbly await divine mercy amidst such opposition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 123 is one of the fifteen "Songs of Ascent" (Psalms 120-134), a collection likely sung by pilgrims as they journeyed to Jerusalem for the annual festivals. These psalms often share themes of longing for God, trust in His deliverance, and cries for help amidst adversity, typically reflecting a communal or individual journey of faith. Within this specific psalm, verse 4 serves as the climax of the worshiper's plea. The preceding verses establish a posture of humble, expectant waiting: "To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!" [the psalmist declares](/psalms/123-1 "Psalm 123:1 - Eyes Lifted to God"). The analogy of servants looking to their master's hand [in Psalms 123:2](/psalms/123-2 "Psalm 123:2 - Servants Looking to Their Master") underscores this complete dependence, setting the stage for the raw, intense expression of suffering found in verse 4, which details the specific nature of the affliction that necessitates such desperate appeal for mercy [as seen in Psalms 123:3](/psalms/123-3 "Psalm 123:3 - Plea for Mercy").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "Songs of Ascent" reflect the experiences of ancient Israelite pilgrims and, by extension, the nation as a whole. The "scorning of those that are at ease" and "contempt of the proud" likely refers to the social and political realities faced by the faithful. This could include oppression from foreign powers, internal social injustices, or the general disdain from the wealthy, powerful, or irreligious within their own society who felt secure in their earthly prosperity and thus saw no need for God or compassion for the vulnerable. Such "ease" often led to arrogance and a lack of empathy, a common critique in prophetic literature. The public nature of scorn and contempt in ancient cultures, often expressed through verbal abuse, public shaming, or social exclusion, would have added significantly to the psychological and spiritual burden on the afflicted.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent throughout the Psalms and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **The Burden of Scorn and Oppression**, articulating the deep emotional and spiritual pain caused by persistent derision from the arrogant. This is not merely a passing insult, but a profound, soul-saturating burden. Secondly, it underscores the **Contrast Between the Righteous and the Wicked/Proud**. The psalmist, humble and dependent on God, stands in stark opposition to "those that are at ease" and "the proud," who are characterized by their self-sufficiency, arrogance, and disdain for the faithful. This dichotomy is a recurring motif, for instance, throughout [the book of Proverbs](/proverbs "The Book of Proverbs - Wisdom Literature"). Finally, the verse implicitly reinforces the theme of **Divine Justice and Vindication**. By expressing the depth of their suffering to God, the psalmist appeals to God's character as the righteous judge who will ultimately defend the humble and bring low the proud, as seen in the prophetic declaration that [the Lord resists the proud](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Resists the Proud").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Exceedingly (Hebrew, _rab_):** From H7227, meaning "abundant" or "greatly." This adverb intensifies the verb "filled," conveying the overwhelming degree to which the soul is saturated with scorn and contempt. It indicates not just a momentary experience but a deep, pervasive, and almost unbearable burden, signifying that the psalmist's soul is completely inundated.
* **Scorning (Hebrew, _laʻag_):** From H3933, meaning "derision" or "scoffing." This term refers to mockery, ridicule, or disdain, often accompanied by a sense of superiority. It implies a deliberate act of belittling and demeaning, designed to inflict emotional pain and undermine the dignity of the target, representing an active and aggressive form of contempt.
* **Proud (Hebrew, _gêʼeh_):** From H1343, meaning "lofty" or "arrogant." This adjective describes individuals characterized by haughtiness, self-importance, and an inflated sense of their own worth. Their pride often manifests as a disdainful attitude towards others, particularly those they perceive as beneath them or dependent on God, fueling their contempt and mockery.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Our soul is exceedingly filled":** This opening clause powerfully conveys the depth and intensity of the suffering. The "soul" (Hebrew _nephesh_) refers to the whole person—their inner being, emotions, and very life-force. The phrase "exceedingly filled" uses hyperbole to emphasize that the emotional and spiritual pain is not superficial but has permeated and overwhelmed the psalmist's entire being, leaving no room for peace or comfort.
* **"with the scorning of those that are at ease":** This identifies the first source of the overwhelming burden. "Those that are at ease" (Hebrew _shaʼănân_) are individuals who are comfortable, prosperous, and secure, often to the point of complacency and arrogance. Their "scorning" implies that their derision stems from a position of perceived superiority and an indifference to the suffering of others, perhaps even mocking the faithful for their reliance on God or their perceived weakness.
* **"[and] with the contempt of the proud":** This second phrase reinforces and expands upon the source of the affliction. "The proud" (Hebrew _gêʼeh_) are characterized by haughtiness, arrogance, and self-importance. Their "contempt" (Hebrew _bûwz_) is a strong feeling of disdain, viewing the psalmist as worthless or inferior. This parallelism emphasizes the dual nature of the opposition: both the comfortable indifference of the complacent and the overt arrogance of the proud contribute to the profound distress.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrase "exceedingly filled," which exaggerates the extent of the soul's burden to emphasize the overwhelming nature of the suffering. The psalmist's internal state is not merely affected, but completely saturated by the external scorn. **Parallelism** is used effectively in the latter half of the verse, linking "the scorning of those that are at ease" with "the contempt of the proud." This synonymous parallelism reinforces the idea that both complacency and arrogance are sources of the believer's affliction, highlighting the consistent nature of the opposition. Furthermore, there is a strong sense of **Contrast** established between the humble, dependent posture of the psalmist (implied by the preceding verses and the plea for mercy) and the self-sufficient, disdainful attitude of "those that are at ease" and "the proud." This contrast underscores the spiritual and moral chasm between the two groups.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 123:4 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of suffering experienced by the faithful in a fallen world. It affirms that the pain caused by the scorn and contempt of the arrogant and complacent is a legitimate and deeply felt burden on the soul. Theologically, it resonates with the biblical understanding that pride and self-sufficiency are antithetical to God's ways, and those who embody these traits often become instruments of affliction for the humble. The psalmist's cry, though filled with anguish, implicitly trusts in a God who sees, hears, and will ultimately respond to the cries of the oppressed, demonstrating that even in the face of overwhelming human disdain, the believer's ultimate hope and recourse remain in divine mercy and justice.

* [Psalms 73:3-9](/psalms/73-3-9 "Psalm 73:3-9 - The Prosperity of the Wicked")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Before Destruction")
* [Luke 16:19-31](/luke/16-19-31 "Luke 16:19-31 - The Rich Man and Lazarus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 123:4 provides a vital voice for believers who find themselves targets of ridicule, dismissal, or outright contempt from a world that often values self-sufficiency, power, and material comfort over humility, faith, and righteousness. It validates the deep emotional and spiritual pain that such experiences inflict, acknowledging that it is natural for one's "soul" to be "exceedingly filled" with hurt. This verse encourages us to recognize the source of such disdain—often rooted in pride, complacency, and a lack of spiritual understanding—rather than internalizing the scorn as a judgment of our own worth. Like the psalmist, our response is not to retaliate or despair, but to lift our eyes to the Lord, trusting in His mercy and His ultimate vindication of the humble. It calls us to persevere in faith, knowing that God sees our suffering and will ultimately bring justice, reminding us that true worth is found in God's eyes, not in the fleeting opinions of the proud.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways have you experienced the "scorning of those that are at ease" or the "contempt of the proud" in your own life or observed it in society?**
* **How does this psalm's raw expression of pain help validate your own feelings when facing similar opposition?**
* **What does it mean practically to "lift up your eyes" to the Lord when your soul feels "exceedingly filled" with such burdens?**
* **How can understanding the source of contempt (pride, complacency) help you respond with grace rather than bitterness?**

### FAQ
**What does "those that are at ease" mean in a biblical context?**

Answer: In a biblical context, "those that are at ease" (Hebrew _shaʼănân_) often refers to individuals who are secure, prosperous, and undisturbed, but in a way that leads to spiritual complacency, arrogance, and indifference to God or the suffering of others. This "ease" can lead to a false sense of security, causing them to feel no need for divine intervention or to show compassion. Prophets frequently warned against such a state, as it often precedes judgment, for example, when the prophet Amos decries [those who are at ease in Zion](/amos/6-1 "Amos 6:1 - Woe to Those at Ease in Zion"). It implies a comfortable detachment from spiritual reality and moral responsibility, leading them to scorn those who humble themselves before God.

**How does this verse relate to the broader theme of suffering in the Psalms?**

Answer: Psalms 123:4 is a poignant example of the pervasive theme of suffering in the Psalms, particularly suffering caused by human opposition. Many psalms, such as [Psalm 22](/psalms/22 "Psalm 22 - A Cry of Anguish and a Song of Praise") or [Psalm 69](/psalms/69 "Psalm 69 - A Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies"), express the deep anguish, physical pain, and emotional distress experienced by the righteous at the hands of their enemies, the wicked, or the proud. This verse specifically highlights the psychological and spiritual burden of scorn and contempt, which can be as debilitating as physical persecution. It underscores the psalmist's reliance on God as the sole source of deliverance and vindication, a common thread throughout the Psalms that portrays God as the defender of the oppressed and the humble.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 123:4 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and experience of Jesus Christ. He, the humble Son of God, perfectly embodied the posture of looking to the Father, even as His soul was "exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud." Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus endured relentless mockery from the religious elite—the Pharisees and Sadducees—who were "at ease" in their positions of power and "proud" in their self-righteousness. They scorned His claims of divinity, His association with sinners, and His humble origins, often dismissing Him with utter contempt, as when they [mocked Him on the cross](/matthew/27-39 "Matthew 27:39 - Mockery at the Cross"). The very act of His crucifixion was the epitome of human scorn and contempt poured out upon the innocent Lamb of God. Yet, in His suffering, Jesus did not retaliate but committed Himself to the Father, fulfilling the psalmist's posture of humble dependence. His endurance of such profound scorn ultimately paved the way for salvation, demonstrating that through His suffering, He conquered the very pride and ease that lead to such contempt, offering grace to all who humble themselves and [believe in His name](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Salvation"). Thus, the cry of the psalmist for mercy finds its answer in the compassionate heart of Christ, who understands our suffering because [He Himself suffered](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our High Priest, Understands Our Weakness") and was despised, yet now offers eternal vindication and comfort to all who are scorned for His sake, promising that [blessed are you when others revile you](/matthew/5-11 "Matthew 5:11 - Beatitudes: Persecution for Righteousness").

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

Psalms 119:51

¶ The proud have had me greatly in derision: [yet] have I not declined from thy law.

Job 12:5

He that is ready to slip with [his] feet [is as] a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.

Acts 17:32

¶ And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this [matter].

1 Corinthians 4:13

Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, [and are] the offscouring of all things unto this day.

Amos 6:1

¶ Woe to them [that are] at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, [which are] named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!

Isaiah 32:11

Tremble, ye women that are at ease; be troubled, ye careless ones: strip you, and make you bare, and gird [sackcloth] upon [your] loins.

Jeremiah 48:11

Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.