Psalms 69:10

KJV

When I wept, [and chastened] my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.

KJV (with Strong's)

When I wept {H1058}{H8799)}, and chastened my soul {H5315} with fasting {H6685}, that was to my reproach {H2781}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I weep bitterly, and I fast, but that too occasions insults.

Berean Standard Bible

I wept and fasted, but it brought me reproach.

American Standard Version

When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, That was to my reproach.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 69:10 captures the profound anguish of the psalmist, who recounts how his sincere acts of devotion—specifically weeping and self-humiliation through fasting—were not met with understanding or compassion, but rather became a source of public scorn and deep personal reproach. This verse powerfully illustrates the paradox of righteous suffering, where genuine piety is twisted by adversaries into grounds for mockery, intensifying the psalmist's lament and plea for divine intervention against his relentless enemies.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 69 is a deeply personal and emotionally charged lament, one of the most significant in the Psalter due to its extensive Messianic allusions. The psalmist, engulfed by overwhelming troubles, feels as though he is drowning in deep waters, sinking in mire, and exhausted from crying out ([Psalms 69:1-3](/psalms/69-1 "Psalms 69:1-3 - The Psalmist's Deep Distress")). He is hated without cause and unjustly accused, with his enemies outnumbering the hairs of his head ([Psalms 69:4](/psalms/69-4 "Psalms 69:4 - Hated Without Cause")). Verse 10 follows a series of expressions of suffering, including the psalmist's zeal for God's house leading to reproach ([Psalms 69:9](/psalms/69-9 "Psalms 69:9 - Zeal for God's House Leads to Reproach")), and precedes further descriptions of his public humiliation, where he is mocked by those who sit in the gate and is the subject of drunkards' songs ([Psalms 69:12](/psalms/69-12 "Psalms 69:12 - Mocked by the Community")). In this immediate flow, verse 10 highlights a specific, deeply personal spiritual discipline that, instead of bringing solace or respect, only amplified his public disgrace.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Fasting was a common and significant spiritual discipline in ancient Israel, practiced for various reasons including mourning, repentance, seeking divine guidance, or expressing deep humility before God. It was often accompanied by weeping, sackcloth, and ashes, signifying a profound state of self-abasement and earnest supplication. While often a private act, its visible effects (e.g., gaunt appearance, public display of grief) could be observed. In a culture where honor and shame were paramount, "reproach" (Hebrew: *cherpah*) carried immense weight, signifying public disgrace, insult, and the loss of social standing. For the psalmist's sincere act of humbling himself before God to be turned into a reason for public humiliation was a profound violation of social and spiritual norms, indicating the extreme malice of his adversaries. This context underscores the depth of the psalmist's suffering, as his most intimate expressions of devotion were weaponized against him.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Psalm 69 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Suffering for Righteousness**, where genuine piety and spiritual devotion are met with misunderstanding, scorn, and persecution from a hostile world. The psalmist's experience foreshadows the reality that faithfulness to God can often invite adversity rather than ease. Secondly, it highlights the vulnerability of **Spiritual Discipline as a Target**; acts intended for personal spiritual growth and communion with God can be twisted and ridiculed by those who oppose divine truth. The irony is palpable: an act of humility becomes a source of humiliation. Lastly, the verse deepens the **Messianic Foreshadowing** of the psalm. The unjust suffering and intense reproach experienced by the psalmist find their ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Just as the psalmist was mocked for his devotion, so too was Jesus, whose zeal for God's house consumed Him ([John 2:17](/john/2-17 "John 2:17 - Jesus' Zeal for the Temple")), and whose suffering involved profound reproach ([Romans 15:3](/romans/15-3 "Romans 15:3 - Christ Did Not Please Himself")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Chastened (עָנָה, _‘anah_):** This Hebrew verb is crucial, meaning "to humble oneself," "to afflict oneself," "to deny oneself," or "to be bowed down." In the context of fasting, it denotes a deliberate act of self-abasement and spiritual discipline, often associated with repentance or intense supplication. It's not merely abstaining from food, but a profound internal and external posture of humility before God, acknowledging dependence and seeking divine favor. The KJV's "chastened" captures the sense of bringing oneself under discipline or correction.
* **Reproach (חֶרְפָּה, _cherpah_):** This noun signifies deep shame, disgrace, insult, or humiliation. It is a powerful term for public scorn and derision. The psalmist's acts of devotion were not just ignored or misunderstood; they actively became the *cause* of his public humiliation. This indicates a malicious intent on the part of his adversaries, who used his vulnerability and spiritual earnestness as fodder for mockery, striking at his dignity and honor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When I wept,":** This clause sets the emotional tone, indicating a state of profound sorrow, grief, or distress. Weeping is a natural human response to deep suffering and often accompanies acts of lament and repentance in the biblical tradition. It signifies a broken spirit and a heart poured out before God.
* **"[and chastened] my soul with fasting,":** This phrase describes the specific spiritual discipline undertaken by the psalmist. The bracketed "and chastened" in the KJV clarifies the intent of the fasting, which is to "afflict" or "humble" one's soul. It's a deliberate act of self-denial, not for its own sake, but as a means of expressing earnestness, mourning, or seeking God's face. It implies a deep, personal commitment to spiritual devotion.
* **"that was to my reproach.":** This final clause reveals the tragic outcome of the psalmist's sincere devotion. His acts of weeping and fasting, intended as private expressions of humility and earnest prayer, were twisted and used by his enemies as a basis for public scorn and humiliation. Instead of eliciting compassion or respect, his piety became the very source of his disgrace, highlighting the malicious nature of his adversaries and the depth of his suffering.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 69:10 effectively employs several literary devices to convey the psalmist's profound suffering. The most prominent is **Irony**, where the very acts intended for spiritual humility and communion with God (weeping and fasting) are perversely transformed into causes for public scorn and humiliation. This creates a stark contrast between the psalmist's pious intentions and the cruel reception from his enemies. The verse also functions as a powerful element within the broader **Lament** genre, expressing deep personal pain, injustice, and a plea for divine intervention. The psalmist's detailed description of his suffering, including the specific nature of the reproach, serves to evoke empathy and underscore the severity of his plight. Furthermore, there is an element of **Pathos**, as the psalmist's vulnerability and sincere devotion are exploited, designed to elicit a strong emotional response from the reader regarding the injustice he faces.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 69:10 profoundly illustrates the cost of devotion in a hostile world, revealing that sincere piety can invite scorn rather than commendation. Theologically, it affirms that suffering for righteousness is a recurring theme in God's redemptive plan, echoing the experiences of prophets, apostles, and ultimately, Christ Himself. It challenges the simplistic notion that faithfulness always leads to worldly ease or approval, instead highlighting that true spiritual discipline can expose one to the ridicule of those who reject God's ways. The psalmist’s experience reminds us that God sees and values the hidden acts of humility, even when they are publicly derided, and that divine vindication is the ultimate hope for the faithful.

* [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected by Men")
* [Matthew 5:11-12](/matthew/5-11 "Matthew 5:11-12 - Blessed Are You When Persecuted")
* [1 Peter 4:14](/1_peter/4-14 "1 Peter 4:14 - Suffering for the Name of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 69:10 offers a profound mirror for believers navigating a world often indifferent or hostile to spiritual truth. It reminds us that our deepest acts of devotion, our earnest cries to God, or our sincere efforts to humble ourselves may not always be understood or appreciated by those around us; indeed, they may even become targets for mockery. This verse calls us to cultivate an inner resilience, grounding our spiritual practices in God's approval rather than human applause. It fosters empathy for all who have been ridiculed or persecuted for their faith, affirming that such suffering aligns us with a long line of biblical figures, including the psalmist and ultimately, Christ. Our perseverance in piety, even in the face of scorn, becomes a testament to the authenticity of our faith and our unwavering trust in God's ultimate vindication, who sees our hearts and knows our true intentions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you react when your sincere spiritual efforts or expressions of faith are misunderstood or mocked by others?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to compromise our spiritual disciplines to avoid social reproach?**
* **How does the psalmist's experience of reproach for his devotion encourage or challenge your own walk with God?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the nature of true humility and its potential cost in a fallen world?**

### FAQ
**Why would fasting lead to reproach in ancient times?**

Answer: In ancient Israel, fasting was a deeply personal and often public expression of mourning, repentance, or intense supplication to God. It involved visible signs of humility, such as a gaunt appearance, unkempt hair, or even wearing sackcloth. While normally respected as a sign of piety, in the context of Psalms 69:10, the psalmist's enemies twisted these sincere acts of devotion into a reason for mockery. They likely viewed his weeping and fasting not as genuine humility, but as weakness, hypocrisy, or even madness, using his vulnerability to further their public humiliation of him. This highlights the malicious intent of his adversaries, who sought to discredit him by ridiculing his most sacred practices.

**Is this psalm only about David, or does it apply to others?**

Answer: While many psalms are traditionally attributed to David and reflect his personal experiences, Psalm 69 is widely recognized as having a broader application, particularly in its prophetic foreshadowing of the Messiah. The intensity of the suffering, the unjust hatred, and the specific details of reproach (e.g., being given gall and vinegar to drink, [Psalms 69:21](/psalms/69-21 "Psalms 69:21 - Given Gall and Vinegar")) transcend a singular historical figure. The New Testament frequently quotes or alludes to Psalm 69 in reference to Jesus Christ, indicating its ultimate fulfillment in His life and passion. Therefore, while it originates from a specific individual's lament, its themes of suffering for righteousness, unjust persecution, and divine vindication apply universally to believers and supremely to Christ.

**How should believers today respond when their spiritual disciplines or faith are misunderstood or mocked?**

Answer: Psalms 69:10 provides comfort and guidance. Firstly, it affirms that such experiences are not new; the psalmist and even Christ Himself faced similar reproach. This normalizes the experience of misunderstanding for our faith. Secondly, it calls for perseverance in genuine piety, reminding us that our ultimate audience is God, not people. Jesus taught that true fasting should be done in secret, for God sees in secret and will reward openly ([Matthew 6:16-18](/matthew/6-16 "Matthew 6:16-18 - Fasting in Secret")). When faced with mockery, believers are encouraged to trust in God's justice and vindication, knowing that those who suffer for righteousness are blessed ([Matthew 5:11-12](/matthew/5-11 "Matthew 5:11-12 - Blessed Are You When Persecuted")) and that God will ultimately set things right.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 69:10 finds its most profound and poignant fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The psalmist's lament of weeping and chastening his soul with fasting only to be met with reproach perfectly prefigures the life of the Messiah. Jesus, the embodiment of perfect humility and devotion, frequently engaged in spiritual disciplines, including fasting ([Matthew 4:2](/matthew/4-2 "Matthew 4:2 - Jesus' Forty-Day Fast")) and weeping, most notably over Jerusalem ([Luke 19:41](/lukes/19-41 "Luke 19:41 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")). Yet, His profound piety and zealous commitment to God's will were consistently met with scorn, ridicule, and outright hostility from the religious establishment and the crowds. The very acts that demonstrated His divine sonship and perfect obedience—His teaching, His miracles, His compassion, and ultimately, His suffering—were twisted into accusations of blasphemy, madness, and sedition. The New Testament explicitly links Psalm 69 to Christ's passion, quoting verses like [Psalms 69:9](/psalms/69-9 "Psalms 69:9 - Zeal for God's House Consumes Me") ("The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me") in [John 2:17](/john/2-17 "John 2:17 - Jesus' Zeal for the Temple") and [Romans 15:3](/romans/15-3 "Romans 15:3 - Christ Did Not Please Himself"). Jesus' entire earthly sojourn was marked by being "despised and rejected of men" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected")), bearing the ultimate reproach for humanity's sin, culminating in the cross where He was mocked even in His final agony ([Matthew 27:39-44](/matthew/27-39 "Matthew 27:39-44 - Mockery at the Cross")). Thus, the psalmist's personal anguish becomes a prophetic window into the unparalleled suffering of the Lamb of God, who endured the ultimate reproach to secure our salvation.

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 102:8

Mine enemies reproach me all the day; [and] they that are mad against me are sworn against me.

Psalms 102:9

For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping,

Psalms 35:13

But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing [was] sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.

Psalms 109:24

My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness.

Psalms 109:25

I became also a reproach unto them: [when] they looked upon me they shaked their heads.

Luke 7:33

For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.

Luke 7:34

The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!