Psalms 69:19

KJV

Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries [are] all before thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou hast known {H3045}{H8804)} my reproach {H2781}, and my shame {H1322}, and my dishonour {H3639}: mine adversaries {H6887}{H8802)} are all before thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

You know how I am insulted, shamed and disgraced; before you stand all my foes.

Berean Standard Bible

You know my reproach, my shame and disgrace. All my adversaries are before You.

American Standard Version

Thou knowest my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonor: Mine adversaries are all before thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 69:19 is a profound lament from a suffering individual, likely King David, who pours out his deepest anguish before the Almighty. The verse encapsulates the intense emotional and social pain of one experiencing public scorn, personal humiliation, and a profound loss of honor, yet finds solace and strength in the unwavering conviction that God is intimately aware of his plight and fully cognizant of his adversaries. This declaration serves as both a cry for help and an expression of trust in divine omniscience and ultimate justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 69 stands as a quintessential lament psalm, characterized by its raw expression of distress, fervent appeals for divine deliverance, and a strong sense of injustice. The psalmist vividly describes being overwhelmed by troubles, feeling as though he is drowning in deep waters, and facing relentless hostility from those who hate him without cause. The psalm oscillates between despair and hope, confession of sin (v. 5) and pleas for vindication. Its structure typically moves from a desperate cry for help (vv. 1-6), to a detailed description of suffering and adversaries (vv. 7-21), an imprecation against enemies (vv. 22-28), and finally, a vow of praise and confidence in God's deliverance (vv. 29-36). This particular verse, [Psalm 69:19](/psalms/69-19 "Psalm 69:19 - God Knows My Suffering"), falls within the section detailing the psalmist's profound suffering and his direct appeal to God. It underscores the psalmist's vulnerability and his reliance on God's perfect knowledge in the face of overwhelming personal and public humiliation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While traditionally attributed to David, the psalm's specific historical setting is debated, though it clearly reflects a time of intense personal and public distress. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, honor and shame were paramount. Public reproach, shame, and dishonor were not merely personal feelings but social realities that could strip an individual of their standing, reputation, and even their livelihood. To be "known" by God in this context implies not just intellectual awareness but a personal, empathetic, and active understanding, akin to a legal witness or a compassionate parent. The mention of "adversaries" suggests a situation of conflict, possibly legal or social, where the psalmist is being slandered or persecuted. The phrase "all before thee" carries a strong judicial connotation, presenting the psalmist's case directly to God, the ultimate judge, implying an expectation of divine intervention and justice for those who inflict harm.
* **Key Themes:** [Psalm 69](/psalms/69 "Psalm 69 - A Psalm of Lament and Hope") contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes found throughout the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully asserts the theme of **Divine Omniscience and Awareness**, emphasizing that God is neither ignorant nor indifferent to the pain, shame, and dishonor His servants endure. This serves as a foundational comfort for the suffering, knowing their plight is fully seen. Secondly, the psalmist's open laying bare of his deepest wounds demonstrates profound **Vulnerability and Trust** in God, highlighting that God is the only one who truly understands and can ultimately intervene. Thirdly, by stating "mine adversaries are all before thee," the psalmist implicitly appeals to God's **Divine Justice and Vindication**, trusting that God will see their actions and bring about righteous judgment or deliverance. Lastly, this psalm is profoundly **Messianic**, with several of its verses quoted in the New Testament to describe the sufferings of Jesus Christ, such as the zeal for God's house consuming Him ([John 2:17](/john/2-17 "John 2:17 - Jesus' Zeal for the Temple")) and His being given gall and vinegar to drink ([Matthew 27:34](/matthew/27-34 "Matthew 27:34 - Jesus Offered Gall and Vinegar")). This foreshadowing elevates the individual suffering to a universal, redemptive significance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Reproach (חֶרְפָּה, _cherpah_):** This Hebrew term signifies public disgrace, scorn, or taunting. It refers to the shame inflicted by others' words and actions, often involving verbal abuse, mockery, or public humiliation. It is an external, social form of disgrace that damages one's standing in the community.
* **Shame (בּוּשָׁה, _bushah_):** Distinct from _cherpah_, _bushah_ refers to the internal feeling of humiliation, embarrassment, or confusion. It is the personal, emotional response to disgrace, often resulting from public scorn or a perceived failure. It speaks to the deep, inner anguish of a wounded spirit.
* **Dishonour (קָלוֹן, _qalon_):** This word implies ignominy, disgrace, or contempt, often linked to a loss of status, dignity, or reputation. It suggests a stripping away of respect and honor, leaving one in a state of low regard. Together, these three terms paint a comprehensive picture of a person utterly stripped of dignity, both externally and internally.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou hast known my reproach":** This clause emphasizes God's intimate and personal knowledge of the psalmist's public disgrace and the scorn he endures from others. It's not merely intellectual awareness but an empathetic understanding of the pain inflicted by external humiliation.
* **"and my shame":** This extends God's knowledge to the psalmist's internal suffering. God knows the deep, personal feeling of embarrassment and humiliation that accompanies the public reproach, acknowledging the emotional toll of his circumstances.
* **"and my dishonour":** This third descriptor highlights God's awareness of the loss of status, dignity, and respect the psalmist has experienced. God understands the full spectrum of his suffering, from public scorn to internal anguish and the erosion of his social standing.
* **"mine adversaries [are] all before thee":** This powerful declaration asserts God's direct observation and ultimate authority over those who inflict harm. The phrase "before thee" (לְנֶגְדֶּךָ, _lenegdeka_) implies a judicial setting, presenting the adversaries to God as the supreme Judge. It is an appeal for divine justice and intervention, trusting that God, who sees all, will act righteously.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 69:19 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of suffering and trust. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, seen in the triplet "my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour." This accumulation of terms intensifies the psalmist's suffering, creating a comprehensive picture of external and internal humiliation. The use of **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the phrase "Thou hast known," attributing human-like understanding and empathy to God, and "adversaries are all before thee," implying God's visual perception and judicial presence. This personalizes God's involvement in the psalmist's plight. The verse also functions as a profound **Appeal to Divine Justice**, as the psalmist lays out his case and his oppressors before God, the ultimate arbiter, implicitly seeking vindication and intervention. This direct address to God underscores the psalmist's complete reliance on divine sovereignty in the face of human injustice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 69:19 profoundly articulates the experience of the righteous sufferer who, despite facing intense public and personal humiliation, finds solace and strength in the unwavering conviction of God's intimate knowledge and ultimate justice. It underscores a core biblical truth: God is not distant or indifferent to human suffering, especially the suffering of those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. The psalmist's transparent prayer models a deep trust in God's omniscience, believing that merely presenting his case and his adversaries before the Lord is sufficient, as God's perfect vision ensures righteous judgment. This verse encourages believers to bring their deepest wounds and their oppressors before God, not for personal vengeance, but in confident reliance on His perfect timing and just character.

* [Psalm 56:8](/psalms/56-8 "Psalm 56:8 - God Gathers Tears")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to the Lord")
* [Psalm 1:6](/psalms/1-6 "Psalm 1:6 - The Lord Knows the Way of the Righteous")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 69:19 offers immense comfort and guidance for believers today who face similar experiences of scorn, humiliation, or injustice. In a world where reputation can be easily tarnished and public shaming is common, the psalmist's cry reminds us that our true dignity and worth are not determined by human opinion but by God's unchanging view of us. When you feel misunderstood, publicly shamed, or unjustly treated, remember that God is fully aware. Your "reproach, shame, and dishonour" are not hidden from Him; He collects your tears and knows the depth of your pain. This verse encourages us to be utterly transparent with God, laying out our deepest hurts and even our enemies before Him. He is the ultimate listener and the just Judge. While we may long for immediate vindication, the psalmist's trust that his adversaries are "all before thee" reminds us that God will, in His perfect timing, deal with injustice. We are called to commit our cause to Him rather than seek personal revenge, finding hope and endurance in God's sovereignty, knowing that true justice ultimately rests with the Almighty.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's intimate knowledge of your suffering change your perspective on difficult circumstances?**
* **In what ways can you be more transparent with God about your feelings of "reproach, shame, and dishonour"?**
* **How does trusting God with your adversaries free you from bitterness or the need for personal revenge?**
* **What comfort do you find in knowing that even in your deepest humiliation, God sees and cares for you?**

### FAQ

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

Answer: Yes, Psalm 69 is widely considered one of the most significant Messianic psalms, frequently quoted or alluded to in the New Testament in relation to Jesus Christ's suffering. While [Psalm 69:19](/psalms/69-19 "Psalm 69:19 - God Knows My Suffering") itself is not directly quoted, the broader context of the psalm's themes of undeserved suffering, reproach, and the presence of adversaries directly foreshadows Christ's experience. For example, [John 2:17](/john/2-17 "John 2:17 - Jesus' Zeal for the Temple") quotes [Psalm 69:9](/psalms/69-9 "Psalm 69:9 - Zeal for Your House"), "Zeal for your house has consumed me." [Romans 15:3](/romans/15-3 "Romans 15:3 - Christ Did Not Please Himself") quotes the same verse, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." The offering of gall and vinegar to Jesus on the cross ([Matthew 27:34](/matthew/27-34 "Matthew 27:34 - Jesus Offered Gall and Vinegar") and [John 19:28-29](/john/19-28 "John 19:28-29 - Jesus Thirsts")) is linked to [Psalm 69:21](/psalms/69-21 "Psalm 69:21 - They Gave Me Gall and Vinegar"). Even the betrayal by Judas and his replacement are tied to [Psalm 69:25](/psalms/69-25 "Psalm 69:25 - Let Their Habitation Be Desolate") and [Psalm 109:8](/psalms/109-8 "Psalm 109:8 - Let Another Take His Office") in [Acts 1:20](/acts/1-20 "Acts 1:20 - Judas's Successor"). Thus, the profound sense of reproach, shame, and dishonor expressed in [Psalm 69:19](/psalms/69-19 "Psalm 69:19 - God Knows My Suffering") finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the unparalleled suffering of Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 69:19 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The psalmist's cry of "Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour" perfectly prefigures the suffering of the Messiah. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, truly knew the depths of reproach and dishonor, not for His own sin, but for ours. He was "despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected"). His public ministry was met with constant scorn and opposition, culminating in the ultimate public humiliation of crucifixion—a death reserved for criminals, involving nakedness, mockery, and intense physical and emotional pain. He "endured the cross, despising the shame" ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Enduring the Cross for Joy")), fully embracing the "dishonour" of becoming obedient to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Obedience to Death on a Cross")). Crucially, just as the psalmist declared, Jesus's "adversaries [were] all before" the Father. Every act of betrayal, denial, false accusation, and physical abuse was fully known and observed by God. Yet, in His suffering, Jesus did not retaliate but "entrusted himself to him who judges justly" ([1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Jesus Entrusted Himself to God")). His enduring of this ultimate reproach and shame was for our sake, so that we, who were once alienated and shamed by sin, might find reconciliation and hope, for "hope does not put us to shame" in Christ ([Romans 5:5](/romans/5-5 "Romans 5:5 - Hope Does Not Put Us to Shame")). Thus, Psalm 69:19 points us to the Lamb of God who bore our shame to bring us glory.

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

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 Peter 2:23

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously:

Isaiah 53:3

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Psalms 38:9

Lord, all my desire [is] before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.

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 69:7

Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.