Psalms 69:12

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

They that sit in {H3427}{H8802)} the gate {H8179} speak {H7878}{H8799)} against me; and I was the song {H5058} of the drunkards {H8354}{H8802)}{H7941}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the gossip of those sitting by the town gate, the theme of drunkards' songs.

Berean Standard Bible

Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of drunkards.

American Standard Version

They that sit in the gate talk of me; AndI amthe song of the drunkards.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 69:12 powerfully articulates the psalmist's profound and pervasive humiliation, depicting him as an object of scorn from both the highest echelons of society, represented by those who deliberate at the city gate, and the lowest, symbolized by the mocking songs of drunkards. This verse encapsulates a deep sense of public disgrace and widespread contempt, highlighting the psalmist's isolation and the intensity of his suffering at the hands of his adversaries.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 69 is a profound and significant lament, frequently quoted in the New Testament as a Messianic psalm. It is a fervent cry of deep distress from an individual overwhelmed by enemies and suffering unjustly, yet maintaining a steadfast devotion to God. The psalmist expresses feeling like he is sinking in deep waters, as described in [Psalm 69:1-2](/psalms/69-1-2 "Psalm 69:1-2 - Sinking in Deep Waters"), alienated from his own family as seen in [Psalm 69:8](/psalms/69-8 "Psalm 69:8 - Alienated from Family"), and consumed by a fervent zeal for God's house, a theme powerfully articulated in [Psalm 69:9](/psalms/69-9 "Psalm 69:9 - Zeal for God's House"). Verse 12 specifically details the social dimensions of his suffering, illustrating how his pain is not merely internal but publicly inflicted and widely known, thus setting the stage for his subsequent pleas for divine intervention and justice against his persecutors. This public humiliation intensifies the psalmist's sense of abandonment and isolation, making his lament all the more poignant.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the "gate" of a city was far more than a mere entrance; it functioned as the vibrant hub of public life. It served as a marketplace, a court of law, and a crucial gathering place for elders, judges, and respected citizens. Legal proceedings, business transactions, and public announcements all took place within its precincts. To be "spoken against in the gate" therefore signified facing public accusation, slander, or even official condemnation, resulting in a severe loss of reputation and social standing within the community. Conversely, "drunkards" represented the lowest, most disreputable elements of society, often associated with revelry, crude behavior, and public mockery. To be the "song of the drunkards" implied being reduced to an object of crude entertainment and pervasive ridicule, indicating a complete and utter degradation that spanned the entire social spectrum, from the powerful and respectable to the marginalized and contemptible. This dual source of contempt underscores the psalmist's utter social ostracization.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Psalm 69 and the broader Psalter. It underscores the theme of **unjust suffering**, as the psalmist consistently portrays himself as innocent of the accusations leveled against him, enduring pain despite his righteousness. It highlights the pervasive theme of **widespread contempt and humiliation**, demonstrating how the psalmist's adversaries have succeeded in making him an object of public scorn across all societal strata, from the civic leaders to the revelers. Furthermore, it deeply enriches the **Messianic theme** of the psalm, as the intense suffering and public rejection described here are profoundly echoed in the passion of Jesus Christ. The psalmist's experience of being hated without cause, as stated in [Psalm 69:4](/psalms/69-4 "Psalm 69:4 - Hated Without Cause"), and enduring reproach, as lamented in [Psalm 69:7](/psalms/69-7 "Psalm 69:7 - Enduring Reproach"), powerfully foreshadows the ultimate suffering and public disgrace of the Messiah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **speak (Hebrew, _sîyach'_):** From H7878, this primitive root means "to ponder, i.e. (by implication) converse (with oneself, and hence, aloud) or (transitively) utter." In this context, it implies not merely casual talk but a deliberate, often malicious, public discourse, gossip, or slander. It suggests that the psalmist was the subject of widespread negative commentary, undermining his reputation and character in the community's most prominent forum.
* **song (Hebrew, _nᵉgîynâh'_):** From H5058, this term properly refers to instrumental music or a poem set to music. To be the "song of the drunkards" means to be the subject of their derisive and mocking tunes, likely crude and insulting compositions sung in revelry. This highlights the lowest form of public degradation, where the psalmist has become an object of scorn and amusement for the most disreputable members of society, his suffering trivialized and turned into entertainment.
* **drunkards (Hebrew, _shâthâh'_):** From H8354, this primitive root means "to imbibe (literally or figuratively)," and by implication, "drink(-er, -ing), drunk ([idiom] -ard)." In this verse, it refers to those who are intoxicated, representing the lowest and most uninhibited elements of society. Their mockery signifies a complete and utter lack of respect, reducing the psalmist to a figure of ridicule even among those with the least social standing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They that sit in the gate speak against me":** This clause vividly portrays the psalmist's humiliation at the hands of the respected and authoritative members of society. The city gate, as the primary place of justice, public assembly, and civic discourse, signifies that the slander and accusations against the psalmist were not merely private whispers but public pronouncements, potentially leading to official condemnation or a widespread loss of honor and standing. It implies a formal or widely accepted denigration of his character, stripping him of his social dignity.
* **"and I [was] the song of the drunkards":** This second clause contrasts sharply with the first, illustrating the psalmist's degradation by the lowest and most contemptible elements of society. Drunkards, often associated with revelry, crude behavior, and a lack of decorum, would use the psalmist as the subject of their mocking songs and crude jokes. This demonstrates a complete and pervasive contempt, showing that the psalmist's humiliation was universal, extending from the highest echelons of society to its most marginalized and disreputable fringes, leaving him no refuge from scorn.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 69:12 employs several potent literary devices to convey the psalmist's profound humiliation and widespread contempt. **Parallelism** is evident in the juxtaposition of "those who sit in the gate" and "the drunkards," creating a stark contrast that emphasizes the universality of the psalmist's scorn, spanning the entire social spectrum from the respected to the reviled. This specific form is **antithetical parallelism**, highlighting the two extremes of society that unite in their contempt. The phrase "the song of the drunkards" functions as a powerful **metaphor**, vividly illustrating that the psalmist has become an object of crude entertainment and pervasive ridicule, his misery transformed into a source of amusement for others. Furthermore, the description of such widespread scorn can be seen as **hyperbole**, intensifying the emotional impact and conveying the overwhelming nature of the psalmist's suffering and isolation. The "gate" itself serves as a potent **symbol** of public authority, justice, and social standing, making the slander received there particularly devastating.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse deeply resonates with the broader biblical theme of the suffering of the righteous, particularly when that suffering is unjust and pervasive. It highlights the profound isolation and pain experienced when one becomes an object of scorn from all corners of society, a theme echoed in the lives of many biblical figures, including Job and Jeremiah. The psalmist's experience underscores the reality that faithfulness to God can sometimes lead to public opprobrium rather than praise, challenging the simplistic notion that righteousness always brings immediate earthly reward. Theologically, it prompts reflection on the nature of human depravity that can lead to such widespread contempt for the innocent, and it anticipates the ultimate suffering of the Messiah, who would endure the deepest levels of human rejection and public disgrace for the sake of humanity's salvation.

* [Psalm 35:15-16](/psalms/35-15-16 "Mockery of the Psalmist")
* [Lamentations 3:63](/lamentations/3-63 "Object of Mockery")
* [Job 30:9-10](/job/30-9-10 "Job's Humiliation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 69:12 offers a profound mirror for believers who experience unjust criticism, public scorn, or mockery, whether for their faith, their values, or other reasons. It reminds us that such experiences, though deeply painful and isolating, are not unique and place us in solidarity with the suffering of the psalmist and, ultimately, with Christ Himself. In a world where public opinion can be fickle, often hostile to biblical truth, and quick to condemn, this verse encourages resilience and steadfastness. It calls us not to seek validation from human approval, whether from those in positions of influence or from the masses, but to anchor our identity and worth in God alone. When our reputation is slandered, or we become the subject of ridicule, this psalm invites us to bring our pain honestly before God, trusting in His ultimate vindication and knowing that our true standing is with Him, not with the shifting tides of human judgment. It challenges us to find our solace and strength in divine approval, even when facing universal human contempt.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically react when you become the object of unjust criticism or mockery, whether from respected figures or those you consider "lowest"?**
* **In what ways does knowing that the psalmist, and ultimately Christ, experienced such widespread contempt offer you comfort or perspective in your own struggles with public opinion?**
* **How can this verse encourage you to prioritize God's approval over the approval of others, especially when facing social pressure or ridicule for your faith or convictions?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "they that sit in the gate" speaking against the psalmist?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern cities, the "gate" was the central public space where legal proceedings, business transactions, and public discourse took place. Elders, judges, and respected citizens gathered there to conduct official and civic affairs. Therefore, to be spoken against "in the gate" meant facing public accusation, slander, or even official condemnation from those in positions of authority or influence. It signified a profound loss of reputation and public standing, indicating that the psalmist's humiliation was not private but widely known and endorsed by society's respected members, thus carrying significant social and legal weight.

**What does it mean to be "the song of the drunkards"?**

Answer: This phrase highlights the psalmist's degradation by the lowest and most disreputable elements of society. Drunkards were often associated with revelry, crude behavior, and mockery, lacking the decorum of respectable society. To be their "song" meant that the psalmist had become the subject of their derisive tunes, crude jokes, and public entertainment. It signifies a complete and pervasive scorn, demonstrating that the psalmist's humiliation spanned the entire social spectrum, from the powerful and respectable to the marginalized and contemptible, leaving him no segment of society from which to escape ridicule.

**Is Psalm 69 considered a Messianic Psalm, and how does this verse relate to Christ?**

Answer: Yes, Psalm 69 is indeed one of the most significant Messianic psalms, frequently quoted in the New Testament in relation to Jesus Christ's suffering and passion. Verse 12, depicting the psalmist's widespread humiliation from both the powerful and the lowly, profoundly foreshadows Christ's experience. Jesus was mocked by the religious leaders (those "in the gate") who held authority, as seen in [Matthew 27:41](/matthew/27-41 "Matthew 27:41 - Religious Leaders Mock Jesus"), and by the common people, including soldiers and criminals, during His crucifixion, as described in [Matthew 27:27-31](/matthew/27-27-31 "Matthew 27:27-31 - Soldiers Mock Jesus") and [Luke 23:35](/luke/23-35 "Luke 23:35 - The Crowd Mocks Jesus"). His experience of bearing reproach, as noted in [Romans 15:3](/romans/15-3 "Romans 15:3 - Christ Did Not Please Himself"), and becoming an object of ridicule perfectly aligns with the psalmist's lament, demonstrating the depth of humiliation Christ endured for humanity's salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 69:12 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The psalmist's cry of being slandered by those in authority ("they that sit in the gate") and mocked by the lowest elements of society ("the song of the drunkards") precisely prefigures the universal contempt and humiliation endured by Jesus during His earthly ministry and, supremely, at His crucifixion. The religious leaders, the Sanhedrin, and Roman authorities, representing "those who sit in the gate," condemned Him and spoke against Him, ultimately delivering Him to be crucified, as documented in [Matthew 26:59-66](/matthew/26-59-66 "Matthew 26:59-66 - Jesus Condemned by Sanhedrin") and [John 19:12-16](/john/19-12-16 "John 19:12-16 - Pilate Delivers Jesus"). Simultaneously, the soldiers, the crowd, and even the criminals crucified alongside Him mocked and derided Him, making Him an object of scorn and crude entertainment, thereby fulfilling the "song of the drunkards" imagery, as detailed in [Matthew 27:27-31](/matthew/27-27-31 "Matthew 27:27-31 - Soldiers Mock Jesus") and [Luke 23:35-39](/luke/23-35-39 "Luke 23:35-39 - Mockery at the Cross"). Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us, as declared in [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"), bearing the ultimate reproach and shame that was due to humanity. His perfect life and innocent suffering, culminating in this profound public humiliation, demonstrate the depth of His solidarity with suffering humanity and the immeasurable extent of His sacrificial love, making Him the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, as proclaimed in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

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 35:15

But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: [yea], the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew [it] not; they did tear [me], and ceased not:

Psalms 35:16

With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

Deuteronomy 16:18

¶ Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

Mark 15:17

And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his [head],

Mark 15:19

And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing [their] knees worshipped him.

Matthew 27:20

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

Matthew 27:62

Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,