Psalms 89:41

KJV

All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours.

KJV (with Strong's)

All that pass by {H5674}{H8802)} the way {H1870} spoil {H8155}{H8804)} him: he is a reproach {H2781} to his neighbours {H7934}.

Complete Jewish Bible

All who pass by plunder him; he is an object of scorn to his neighbors.

Berean Standard Bible

All who pass by plunder him; he has become a reproach to his neighbors.

American Standard Version

All that pass by the way rob him: He is become a reproach to his neighbors.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 89:41 articulates a profound lament over the perceived collapse of the Davidic monarchy, depicting the king as utterly vulnerable to plunder and a source of public shame among neighboring nations. This verse captures the psalmist's deep distress and theological crisis, as the current dire circumstances stand in stark contrast to God's glorious and eternal covenant promises made to David, leading to a poignant questioning of divine faithfulness in the face of overwhelming national calamity and humiliation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 89 is a majestic psalm that begins with exuberant praise for God's steadfast love and faithfulness, particularly in establishing an eternal covenant with David and his descendants, as seen in the opening verses, such as [Psalms 89:1-4](/psalms/89-1 "Psalms 89:1-4 - God's Faithfulness and Davidic Covenant"). However, a dramatic and jarring shift occurs from verse 38 onwards, transitioning abruptly into a heartfelt lament. The psalmist expresses deep anguish, accusing God of casting off and abhorring His anointed king, breaking the covenant, and bringing his crown to the ground, as vividly described in [Psalms 89:38-39](/psalms/89-38 "Psalms 89:38-39 - God's Apparent Rejection"). Verse 41, therefore, serves as a vivid description of the devastating consequences of this perceived divine rejection, detailing the king's utter vulnerability and public disgrace, which directly contradicts the earlier promises of divine protection and exaltation. This lament continues through to verse 45, painting a comprehensive picture of national defeat and profound humiliation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalms 89:41 is likely a period of severe national crisis for Judah, most plausibly the Babylonian exile (586 BCE) or a preceding period of significant military defeat and political decline that led to the weakening of the Davidic monarchy. During such tumultuous times, the Davidic king, once a symbol of divine protection, national strength, and God's unwavering favor, would have been rendered powerless. In the ancient Near East, a king's vulnerability to plunder by "all that pass by the way" (casual passersby, not just organized armies) signified a complete breakdown of order, security, and, crucially, divine favor. Being "a reproach to his neighbours" was an immense public humiliation, as national honor and the king's prestige were paramount and directly linked to the perceived blessing of their deity. This cultural context underscores the profound shame and catastrophic loss of status experienced by the Davidic dynasty and, by extension, the entire nation, challenging their fundamental understanding of God's ongoing commitment to His covenant.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Psalms 89 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the profound tension between **Divine Faithfulness and Human Experience**, as the psalmist grapples with how God's unwavering promises can seemingly be contradicted by devastating earthly realities of suffering and defeat. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Covenant Fidelity**, specifically concerning the unconditional nature of the Davidic Covenant as established in [2 Samuel 7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"). The psalmist's lament questions how an eternal covenant could lead to such a dire state for the promised dynasty. Thirdly, the verse vividly portrays **Vulnerability and Shame**, depicting the dramatic reversal of fortune for the Davidic king and the nation, from a position of divinely ordained power and protection to one of utter helplessness and public disgrace. Lastly, and crucially, it exemplifies **Lament as a Form of Faith**, demonstrating that even in profound doubt, suffering, and perceived abandonment, the act of crying out to God and articulating one's pain remains an expression of underlying trust in His character and sovereignty, even when His actions are incomprehensible to human understanding. This act of lament, as seen throughout the [Book of Psalms](/psalms/1 "The Book of Psalms"), is a legitimate and often necessary expression of faith in a fallen world.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **spoil (Hebrew, _shâçaç'_):** This verb (H8155) signifies to plunder, pillage, or take as spoil, often in the context of military conquest or opportunistic raiding. It implies a forceful and indiscriminate taking of possessions from someone who is utterly defenseless. In Psalms 89:41, the use of _shâçaç'_ emphasizes the extreme vulnerability of the king, suggesting that even casual passersby can easily despoil him, indicating a complete absence of protection and authority. It highlights the stripping away of both material wealth and kingly dignity.
* **reproach (Hebrew, _cherpâh'_):** This noun (H2781) denotes contumely, disgrace, ignominy, or shame. It carries a strong connotation of public humiliation and dishonor, often associated with a loss of status, integrity, or reputation. To be "a reproach to his neighbours" means to be an object of scorn and mockery, a source of deep emotional and social pain, and a stark reversal of the honor and respect previously accorded to the Davidic king and, by extension, his nation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All that pass by the way spoil him:"** This clause paints a vivid and devastating picture of absolute defenselessness. The phrase "all that pass by the way" suggests a universal and casual vulnerability, implying that anyone, even those merely traveling through, can easily plunder the king. This is a stark contrast to the expected role of a king as a protector and a figure of formidable power and authority. It signifies a complete collapse of his ability to defend himself or his people, indicating that the traditional safeguards of monarchy have vanished. The act of "spoiling" is not just about material loss but the stripping away of dignity, power, and the very essence of kingship.
* **"he is a reproach to his neighbours."** This second clause describes the severe social and reputational consequence of the king's vulnerability and defeat. Not only is he plundered, but he becomes an object of scorn, mockery, and derision among the surrounding nations and peoples. This is a profound blow to national pride and honor, as the once-revered Davidic king, whose reign was meant to bring glory and respect, is now a symbol of weakness and disgrace. It highlights the deep shame and humiliation that accompanies the loss of divine favor and earthly power, turning a once-mighty kingdom into a laughingstock.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 89:41 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the depth of the psalmist's lament and the severity of the king's plight. The phrase "All that pass by the way spoil him" is a clear example of **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the extent of the king's vulnerability to emphasize his complete lack of protection and the pervasive nature of his downfall. This exaggeration underscores that literally anyone can take advantage of him, signifying a total collapse of order. The use of "him" (the king) functions as **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where the individual monarch stands in for the entire Davidic dynasty and, by extension, the nation of Israel. Thus, the king's humiliation is representative of the nation's profound disgrace and suffering. The entire lament section of Psalms 89, including this verse, functions as a dramatic **Contrast** to the psalm's opening exuberant praise and the glorious, unwavering promises of the Davidic covenant. This stark juxtaposition highlights the jarring discrepancy between God's stated faithfulness and the current, devastating reality experienced by His people. Finally, the verse utilizes vivid **Imagery** of plunder and public shame, creating a visceral sense of the king's and nation's suffering and degradation, allowing the reader to feel the weight of their humiliation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 89:41 encapsulates a profound theological tension: the apparent contradiction between God's unwavering covenant promises and the devastating reality of a suffering people. It highlights the human struggle to reconcile divine faithfulness with experiences of abandonment, humiliation, and loss. While the psalmist laments the perceived breaking of the Davidic covenant, the very act of lamenting to God demonstrates a foundational, albeit strained, faith that God is still sovereign and capable of hearing and responding. This verse forces us to consider that God's plans may unfold in ways that challenge our immediate understanding, often involving periods of discipline or testing that, from a human perspective, can feel like utter rejection. It also underscores the fleeting nature of earthly power and security, redirecting focus to God's ultimate and enduring sovereignty. The psalmist's cry is a testament to the enduring hope that even when all seems lost, God's character remains steadfast, and His ultimate purposes will prevail.

* [Psalms 89:38-39](/psalms/89-38 "Psalms 89:38-39 - God's Apparent Rejection of His Anointed")
* [Lamentations 2:15](/lamentations/2-15 "Lamentations 2:15 - Jerusalem's Public Humiliation")
* [Deuteronomy 28:43-44](/deuteronomy/28-43 "Deuteronomy 28:43-44 - Consequences of Disobedience and Foreign Domination")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 89:41 offers a profound validation for those who experience periods of extreme vulnerability, shame, or perceived abandonment, even when they believe themselves to be within God's covenant. It reminds us that faith is not the absence of doubt or pain, but the willingness to bring our deepest laments and questions directly to God. When circumstances seem to contradict God's promises, this verse encourages us to voice our distress honestly, rather than suppressing it. It teaches us that earthly power, status, and security are transient, and true, lasting hope must be anchored not in human institutions or achievements, but in God's eternal character and His ultimate plan, which often unfolds through suffering and apparent defeat. This psalm invites us to trust that even in moments of profound "reproach," God remains faithful, and our ultimate vindication rests in His hands, not in the fleeting opinions of "those who pass by the way." It calls us to a deeper, more resilient faith that can lament without losing hope, knowing that God's ultimate purposes are always good, even when His path is mysterious.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you reconcile God's unchanging promises with difficult or painful realities in your own life?**
* **In what areas of your life might you feel "spoiled" or "a reproach," and how can you bring these feelings honestly to God in lament?**
* **What does this verse teach you about the fleeting nature of earthly security versus the enduring faithfulness of God?**

### FAQ
**Why would God allow His chosen king and people to suffer such humiliation, seemingly breaking His own covenant?**

Answer: This verse expresses the psalmist's deep anguish and the human perception of a broken covenant, rather than a definitive statement that God has abandoned His promises. Theologically, God's covenant with David was unconditional in its ultimate fulfillment, but its immediate earthly manifestations could be impacted by the obedience or disobedience of the Davidic kings and the nation. Periods of national suffering, like the one described, were often understood as divine discipline or the natural consequences of sin, even if the psalmist here focuses on the *feeling* of abandonment. The psalm is a lament, a cry *to* God from a place of pain, questioning His ways, but not ultimately denying His existence or power. It highlights the mystery of God's sovereignty, where His purposes may involve temporary suffering to bring about a greater, ultimate good, or to lead His people to a deeper dependence on Him, as seen in passages like [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God Disciplines Those He Loves").

**Does this verse imply God broke His covenant with David, or is there a deeper meaning?**

Answer: This verse does not imply God broke His covenant, but rather expresses the *feeling* and *perception* of a broken covenant from the human perspective during a time of extreme national distress. The Davidic covenant, as outlined in [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - God's Covenant with David"), promised an eternal dynasty. While the earthly Davidic monarchy did suffer severe setbacks and eventually fell, the covenant itself was not ultimately broken. Instead, the tension expressed in Psalms 89:41 points forward to a greater, ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant that transcends earthly kings and political institutions. This suffering and apparent failure of the earthly line foreshadows the need for a perfect, eternal King who would truly fulfill all of God's promises, a theme that finds its complete resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 89:41, with its raw depiction of a king "spoiled" and "a reproach," finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the true and eternal Son of David. While the Davidic kings of old suffered humiliation due to their own failures or the sins of their people, Jesus, though perfectly righteous, willingly embraced such a state for the sake of humanity's redemption. He was truly "spoiled" when He was stripped of His garments, His dignity, and His life on the cross, becoming utterly vulnerable to the scorn of "all that pass by the way" ([Matthew 27:39-44](/matthew/27-39 "Matthew 27:39-44 - Mockery at the Cross")). He became "a reproach to his neighbours" and indeed to the world, enduring the deepest public shame and mockery, being "despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant")). Yet, unlike the earthly Davidic king whose humiliation signaled a temporary defeat, Christ's suffering was the very means of His victory and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. His apparent weakness on the cross was the ultimate demonstration of God's power and love ([1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18 - The Message of the Cross")). Through His humiliation, He perfectly fulfilled the Davidic covenant, not by earthly might, but by enduring shame and death to secure an everlasting reign of righteousness and peace ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - Jesus' Eternal Reign")). Thus, the lament of Psalms 89:41, though born of despair, ultimately points to the King who would embrace the very depths of reproach to bring about eternal glory and salvation, transforming the meaning of humiliation into the pathway to ultimate triumph.

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 79:4

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

Jeremiah 42:18

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more.

Psalms 74:10

O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?

Jeremiah 44:8

In that ye provoke me unto wrath with the works of your hands, burning incense unto other gods in the land of Egypt, whither ye be gone to dwell, that ye might cut yourselves off, and that ye might be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?

Ezekiel 5:14

Moreover I will make thee waste, and a reproach among the nations that [are] round about thee, in the sight of all that pass by.

Ezekiel 5:15

So it shall be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment unto the nations that [are] round about thee, when I shall execute judgments in thee in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. I the LORD have spoken [it].

Lamentations 5:1

¶ Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach.