Psalms 69:10

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

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

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

I wept and fasted, but it brought me reproach.

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

Commentary

Psalms 69:10 captures the deep anguish of the psalmist, likely David, who finds his sincere acts of devotion met with scorn and ridicule from others. This verse is part of a profound lament, expressing intense suffering and a plea for God's intervention against his adversaries.

Context

Psalm 69 is one of the most poignant psalms of lament, often referred to as a "Messianic Psalm" due to its numerous prophetic allusions to the suffering of Jesus Christ. The psalmist, overwhelmed by troubles and enemies, describes his desperate situation, including being unjustly hated and misunderstood. In this specific verse, he highlights how his personal spiritual disciplines, intended to humble himself before God, became a source of public humiliation rather than comfort or respect. The surrounding verses (e.g., Psalms 69:9) further emphasize the depth of his suffering and the intensity of the reproach he faced.

Key Themes

  • Suffering for Righteousness: The psalmist's experience underscores the reality that genuine piety and spiritual devotion can often lead to misunderstanding, scorn, and persecution from the world. His weeping and fasting, meant as expressions of humility and earnest prayer, were twisted into reasons for reproach.
  • Spiritual Discipline as a Target: Fasting, a common practice in ancient Israel for mourning, repentance, or seeking God's face, is here presented as a private act that became public fodder for his detractors. This highlights the vulnerability of the devout when surrounded by hostile critics.
  • Messianic Foreshadowing: This psalm, particularly its themes of unjust suffering and intense reproach, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Just as the psalmist was mocked for his devotion, so too was Jesus. The New Testament frequently quotes or alludes to Psalm 69 in relation to Christ's passion (e.g., Romans 15:3, which references Psalms 69:9, often considered alongside verse 10).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "chastened my soul with fasting" points to the Hebrew verb 'anah (Χ’ΦΈΧ ΦΈΧ”), which means "to humble oneself," "to afflict oneself," or "to deny oneself." This isn't merely about abstaining from food but a deeper spiritual discipline involving self-abasement and earnest seeking of God. The term "reproach" (Hebrew: cherpah, Χ—ΦΆΧ¨Φ°Χ€ΦΌΦΈΧ”) signifies deep shame, disgrace, insult, or humiliation. It emphasizes that the mockery was not just casual but deeply wounding to the psalmist's dignity and spiritual standing.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 69:10 offers profound comfort and challenge:

  • Perseverance in Piety: It reminds us that genuine spiritual practices, even those done in humility and sincerity, may not always be appreciated or understood by others. We are called to continue in our devotion to God regardless of external approval or disapproval.
  • Empathy for the Persecuted: The verse fosters empathy for those who face ridicule or scorn for their faith or for living out Christian principles. It affirms that such suffering is not new and aligns us with the experience of the psalmist and ultimately, with Christ.
  • Trust in God's Vindication: Despite the immediate "reproach," the psalmist's ultimate hope is in God's justice and vindication. This encourages us to place our trust in God, who sees our hearts and will ultimately reward those who faithfully endure shame for His name (compare with 1 Peter 4:14).
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

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!
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