Psalms 79:4

KJV

We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.

KJV (with Strong's)

We are become a reproach {H2781} to our neighbours {H7934}, a scorn {H3933} and derision {H7047} to them that are round about {H5439} us.

Complete Jewish Bible

We suffer the taunts of our neighbors, we are mocked and scorned by those around us.

Berean Standard Bible

We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those around us.

American Standard Version

We are become a reproach to our neighbors, A scoffing and derision to them that are round about us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 79:4 articulates a profound lament from the people of Israel, expressing their deep national humiliation and disgrace in the aftermath of devastating invasion and destruction. It vividly portrays a nation once proud and uniquely chosen by God, now reduced to an object of public ridicule, scorn, and derision by its surrounding adversaries. This verse captures the collective anguish of a people whose identity and perceived divine favor have been shattered, leaving them exposed to the contempt of those who mock their God and their plight.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 79 is a communal lament, one of several psalms that cry out to God in times of national catastrophe. It immediately follows a vivid description of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, the desecration of holy places, and the slaughter of God's people, whose bodies lie unburied, serving as food for birds and beasts (see [Psalms 79:1-3](/psalms/79-1-3 "Psalm 79:1-3 - Desecration and Slaughter")). Verse 4 serves as the emotional culmination of this initial description of devastation, shifting focus from the physical destruction to the profound psychological and social shame inflicted upon the survivors. The verses that follow (e.g., [Psalms 79:5-7](/psalms/79-5-7 "Psalm 79:5-7 - A Plea for Vengeance")) transition into a desperate plea for God's intervention, a call for His righteous anger against the invaders, and an appeal for forgiveness and restoration for Israel, all predicated on the restoration of His own honor among the nations.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The most widely accepted historical context for Psalm 79 is the Babylonian invasion and the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in 586 BC. This event marked a catastrophic turning point in Israelite history, leading to the Babylonian Exile. Culturally, defeat in ancient Near Eastern warfare was often interpreted as a sign of the defeated nation's deity being weaker or less potent than the gods of the victorious nation. Thus, Israel's humiliation was not merely a military or political setback but a profound theological crisis. The surrounding nations—Edom, Moab, Ammon, and others—who had often been hostile to Israel, would have viewed Jerusalem's fall as an opportunity for schadenfreude and a confirmation of their own gods' superiority, further intensifying the "scorn and derision" mentioned in the verse. The geographical proximity of these "neighbours" made the public nature of Israel's disgrace all the more acute and inescapable.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 79:4 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **national humiliation and disgrace**, portraying Israel's profound shame in the eyes of the nations, a direct consequence of their defeat and the perceived abandonment by their God. This humiliation is often presented in the Old Testament as a consequence of Israel's covenant unfaithfulness, as warned in passages like [Deuteronomy 28:37](/deuteronomy/28-37 "Deuteronomy 28:37 - Israel's Fate as a Byword"). Secondly, the verse underscores the critical theme of **God's honor and reputation being at stake**. The suffering and mockery of God's people directly reflect upon His name among the pagan nations, raising questions about His power, faithfulness, and justice (a concern echoed in [Ezekiel 36:20-23](/ezekiel/36-20-23 "Ezekiel 36:20-23 - God's Name Profaned Among the Nations")). Finally, as a lament, this verse sets the stage for the psalm's desperate **appeal for divine intervention and restoration**, emphasizing that the ultimate goal of God's action is not just Israel's deliverance but the vindication of His own holy name.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Reproach (Hebrew, _cherpâh'_):** This term (H2781, חֶרְפָּה) signifies contumely, disgrace, or shame. It denotes a public dishonoring, where one becomes an object of contempt and scorn. It's not merely a feeling of shame but a state of being shamed by others, often implying a loss of status or honor in the community or among nations. The use of _cherpâh'_ here emphasizes the deep, wounding nature of the public humiliation.
* **Scorn (Hebrew, _laʻag'_):** The Hebrew word (H3933, לַעַג) refers to derision, scoffing, or taunting. It implies an active, often vocal, expression of contempt, frequently accompanied by gestures or laughter. This word suggests that Israel's neighbors were not merely observing their plight but actively engaging in ridicule, making their suffering a spectacle.
* **Derision (Hebrew, _qeleç'_):** This term (H7047, קֶלֶס) means a laughing-stock, ridicule, or scoffing. It is closely related to _laʻag'_ and often appears in parallel with it, emphasizing the contemptuous and dismissive attitude of those doing the mocking. The combination of _laʻag'_ and _qeleç'_ creates a powerful image of sustained and intense public ridicule, highlighting the complete loss of dignity experienced by Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"We are become a reproach to our neighbours":** This clause establishes the central theme of the verse: Israel's transformation from a respected, divinely favored nation into an object of public shame. The "neighbours" are the surrounding nations (H7934, _shâkên_), who now view Israel with contempt, their former glory and divine protection seemingly vanished. This "reproach" is a deep wound to their national and religious identity, challenging their covenant relationship with God and their unique status among the peoples.
* **"a scorn and derision to them that are round about us":** This second clause amplifies and specifies the nature of the "reproach." The terms "scorn" and "derision" (as detailed in the Key Word Analysis) indicate active, verbal, and public mockery. It's not just passive contempt but an overt expression of ridicule. "Them that are round about us" (H5439, _çâbîyb_) reiterates the idea of the surrounding nations, emphasizing the widespread and inescapable nature of this humiliation. The repetition underscores the severity and pervasiveness of the mockery Israel endures, highlighting their complete loss of dignity and standing.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 79:4 employs several potent literary devices to convey the depth of Israel's suffering. **Parallelism** is evident in the two clauses, where "reproach to our neighbours" is mirrored and intensified by "scorn and derision to them that are round about us." This synonymous parallelism reinforces the central idea of public humiliation, using different but related terms to deepen the impact and create a sense of overwhelming contempt. The use of strong, evocative nouns like "reproach," "scorn," and "derision" constitutes **emphatic diction**, painting a vivid and distressing picture of Israel's plight and the emotional weight of their experience. There is also an element of **hyperbole** in the collective "we are become," suggesting a complete and utter transformation into an object of contempt, emphasizing the extreme and pervasive nature of their fallen state. The verse also functions as a powerful **lament**, giving voice to the collective anguish and shame of the people, setting the stage for their desperate appeal to God for vindication.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 79:4 is not merely a historical observation of national defeat but a profound theological statement about the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness and the implications for God's honor. The humiliation of Israel, God's chosen people, directly reflects upon the God they serve. Their suffering becomes a public spectacle, inviting the pagan nations to question the power, faithfulness, or even existence of Yahweh. This challenges the very foundation of Israel's identity as a people set apart by God, and it compels the psalmist to appeal to God's character and His concern for His own name. The psalm implicitly acknowledges that while Israel's sin led to this judgment, God's ultimate glory demands their vindication and restoration, lest His name be further profaned among the nations.

* [Deuteronomy 28:37](/deuteronomy/28-37 "Deuteronomy 28:37 - Israel as a Byword Among Nations")
* [Ezekiel 36:20-23](/ezekiel/36-20-23 "Ezekiel 36:20-23 - God's Name Profaned and Sanctified")
* [Lamentations 2:15](/lamentations/2-15 "Lamentations 2:15 - Jerusalem's Mockery")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 79:4 offers a stark reminder of the devastating impact of sin and judgment, not only on individuals but on communities and nations. For believers today, it underscores the profound responsibility we bear as representatives of Christ. When the church, or individual believers, live in ways that contradict the Gospel, it can bring "reproach" upon the name of God and become a "scorn and derision" to those outside the faith. Our actions and witness directly impact how the world perceives the God we claim to serve. This verse calls us to a life of integrity, holiness, and faithfulness, recognizing that our conduct has far-reaching implications for the glory of God. Furthermore, it validates the experience of lament, providing a model for expressing deep pain, shame, and confusion to God, even when the circumstances seem to mock His power. It reminds us that God hears the cries of His people and is ultimately concerned with the vindication of His own name, which often involves the restoration and purification of His people, demonstrating His power and faithfulness to a watching world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might the actions of believers or the Church today bring "reproach" or "scorn" upon the name of Christ in the eyes of the world?**
* **How does understanding God's concern for His own honor (as seen in this psalm) motivate us to live more faithfully and pursue holiness?**
* **When facing personal or communal humiliation, how can we emulate the psalmist's honest lament while maintaining hope in God's ultimate vindication and restoration?**

### FAQ

**What is the primary historical event referenced in Psalm 79:4?**

Answer: The primary historical event most widely referenced in Psalm 79:4 and the psalm as a whole is the devastating destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC, which led to the Babylonian Exile. The psalmist laments the aftermath of this catastrophe, where the city lies in ruins and the people are subjected to the scorn of surrounding nations. This event is a central point of national humiliation for Israel, as described in texts like [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem") and the book of [Lamentations](/lamentations/1 "Lamentations 1 - Jerusalem's Desolation and Grief").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalm 79:4 expresses the profound corporate humiliation of Israel, it also foreshadows a deeper, ultimate humiliation endured by the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Israel's suffering was a consequence of their sin and covenant unfaithfulness, yet their reproach served to highlight the problem of human sin and the need for divine intervention. In the New Testament, Jesus, the perfect and sinless Lamb of God, willingly became a "reproach," "scorn," and "derision" not for His own sin, but for the sins of humanity. He was mocked, spat upon, and ridiculed by His own people and the Roman soldiers, fulfilling prophecies of a suffering servant who would be despised and rejected by men (as seen in [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected")). On the cross, He bore the ultimate shame, becoming a curse for us (as explained in [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). This unparalleled humiliation, however, was not a sign of God's weakness, but the very means by which God's power and justice were perfectly displayed, leading to His ultimate vindication through resurrection and exaltation ([Philippians 2:8-11](/philippians/2-8-11 "Philippians 2:8-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). Thus, the lament of Psalm 79:4 finds its ultimate answer and reversal in the redemptive suffering of Christ, who transformed the deepest reproach into the greatest glory for God and salvation for humanity.

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 80:6

Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves.

Nehemiah 2:19

But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard [it], they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What [is] this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?

Ezekiel 35:12

And thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD, [and that] I have heard all thy blasphemies which thou hast spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, They are laid desolate, they are given us to consume.

1 Kings 9:7

Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people:

Deuteronomy 28:37

And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.

Lamentations 2:15

All that pass by clap [their] hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, [saying, Is] this the city that [men] call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?

Lamentations 2:16

All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed [her] up: certainly this [is] the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen [it].