Psalm 123 4

Psalm 123:4 kjv

Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.

Psalm 123:4 nkjv

Our soul is exceedingly filled With the scorn of those who are at ease, With the contempt of the proud.

Psalm 123:4 niv

We have endured no end of ridicule from the arrogant, of contempt from the proud.

Psalm 123:4 esv

Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.

Psalm 123:4 nlt

We have had more than our fill of the scoffing of the proud
and the contempt of the arrogant.

Psalm 123 verses

Psalm 123 4 Meaning

Psalm 123:4 expresses the deep distress of the psalmist and their community, whose souls are overwhelmed by the relentless scorn and contempt from those who are self-satisfied and arrogant. This verse encapsulates a profound weariness and emotional burden caused by the persistent mocking from people who feel secure in their earthly standing, highlighting the acute suffering of the faithful.

Psalm 123 4 Context

Psalm 123 is a Psalm of Ascent (Shir Hama'alot), sung by pilgrims on their way up to Jerusalem, likely for festivals. It is a communal lament, though voiced from an individual's perspective, expressing utter dependence on God. The first two verses declare an upward gaze, like servants waiting on their masters, fixed on God for mercy. Verse 3 directly appeals for this mercy, explicitly stating the reason: "For we have had more than enough of contempt." Verse 4 then elaborates on the source and intensity of this contempt. The psalm paints a picture of a vulnerable community, perhaps marginalized or persecuted, whose only hope is God's divine intervention against those who abuse their power and security to demean the faithful. Historically, this could relate to the Jewish community facing oppression from surrounding nations or powerful internal factions during post-exilic times or periods of foreign domination. The "at ease" and "proud" could be gentile rulers, powerful elites within Israel, or even a broader segment of society indifferent to the plight of the struggling, righteous remnant.

Psalm 123 4 Word analysis

• Our soul: (נַפְשׁוֹ, naphsho) – The word nephesh encompasses the entire being—the self, person, life force, mind, and emotions. "Our soul" emphasizes that the affliction is not superficial but penetrates to the deepest core of their existence, affecting their very spirit and will to live. It signifies a holistic suffering, impacting mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, indicating the overwhelming nature of the oppression.
• is exceedingly filled: (שָׂבְעָה־לָּהּ, sav'ah-lah) – Derived from the root s-v-a, meaning "to be full, satisfied, satiated." The reflexive form sav'ah-lah suggests "full for itself," or "completely, utterly filled." It implies an overflowing, beyond capacity, feeling of saturation. It's not just a passing experience but a dominant state. The idea of "being full" is usually positive (satisfied with good things), but here it's ironic: they are full to the point of being overwhelmed with negative experiences. This highlights the prolonged and relentless nature of the contempt.
• with the scoffing: (לַעַג, la'ag) – This term signifies scorn, derision, mockery, or taunting. It's a verbal assault designed to demean, ridicule, and inflict emotional pain by casting doubt on one's worth, faith, or hope. It's an active, vocal expression of contempt. It speaks to verbal persecution, which chips away at the morale and spirit of the oppressed.
• of those who are at ease: (הַשַּׁאֲנַנִּים, hash-sha'anan'nim) – Root sha'anan, meaning "to be quiet, at rest, secure, prosperous, complacent, carefree." This refers to people who live in comfortable prosperity and feel safe from trouble, often without acknowledging God's sovereignty or the suffering of others. Their ease leads to arrogance and a lack of empathy, enabling them to mock those in distress from a position of perceived superiority.
• and with the contempt: (בּוּז, buz) – Meaning scorn, disdain, despisal, or despite. While la'ag is more about active mockery (often verbal), buz speaks to an underlying attitude of regarding someone as utterly worthless, of no account, to be treated with absolute disrespect. It's a profound feeling of utter dismissal.
• of the proud: (גֵּאִים, ge'im) – Root ga'ah, meaning "to rise up, be majestic, proud, haughty." These are individuals characterized by arrogance, conceit, and self-exaltation. They see themselves as superior and look down on others, especially the humble or suffering, viewing them as inferior. Their pride is often fueled by their worldly success and their feeling of self-sufficiency.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Our soul is exceedingly filled: This phrase powerfully conveys complete saturation and overwhelming emotional and spiritual exhaustion. The suffering isn't superficial; it's a deep-seated weariness. This mirrors the deep pain that causes one to cry out directly to God for immediate relief, suggesting the limit has been reached.
• scoffing... and... contempt: These two terms (la'ag and buz) highlight different but related facets of the enemies' attacks. La'ag is active, often verbal ridicule, designed to wound. Buz is a deeper attitude of dismissal, considering someone as utterly worthless. The combination shows the comprehensive nature of the hostile treatment: not just derision but also deep-seated disrespect and belittling.
• of those who are at ease, and... of the proud: This grouping describes the characteristics of the oppressors. Their "ease" refers to their material prosperity, security, and lack of tribulation, which often breeds spiritual complacency and a blindness to others' pain. Their "pride" is their self-exalted state, their belief in their own self-sufficiency, which contrasts sharply with the psalmist's humility and dependence on God. Their earthly security and haughtiness fuel their cruel disdain for the vulnerable. These are people who typically deny divine intervention, believing their position is due solely to their own strength.

Psalm 123 4 Bonus section

Psalm 123 is often classified as a lament, though it is short and ends not with explicit petition for deliverance, but with a reiteration of the painful reality, leading naturally into the implied call for God's mercy as stated in verse 3. It contrasts the upward gaze of the faithful, looking to God for mercy, with the downward gaze of the proud, looking down on the vulnerable. This highlights a fundamental theological conflict between human self-sufficiency and divine sovereignty. The language evokes the deep emotional and spiritual toll taken by persistent scorn, suggesting that such treatment can be as debilitating as physical affliction. It underscores the spiritual warfare aspect, where ridicule is a tool to break the spirit of God's people. This psalm serves as a timeless cry from the marginalized to their only deliverer, God.

Psalm 123 4 Commentary

Psalm 123:4 paints a vivid picture of extreme emotional and spiritual distress. The phrase "exceedingly filled" illustrates that the faithful have reached a saturation point, their very soul (deepest being) is overwhelmed not just by general adversity, but specifically by the scoffing and contempt of the secure and the proud. This speaks to the particular pain inflicted by mockery that questions one's worth or mocks one's faith, rather than physical suffering alone. The oppressors, described as "those who are at ease" and "the proud," are people whose comfort and self-importance make them disdainful of others, particularly those who are suffering or dependent on God. This reflects a fundamental spiritual contrast: the humble, dependent people of God versus the arrogant, self-sufficient unbelievers or carnal believers. The psalmist's cry is not a request for vengeance, but a heartfelt plea for mercy to deliver them from this dehumanizing barrage of scorn, reinforcing their reliance on God as their only refuge from such malicious spiritual warfare. The emphasis on "soul" being "filled" signifies a prolonged and deeply wounding experience.

Practical usage examples:

• When a believer faces continuous verbal abuse or mockery for their faith in a secular workplace or social setting.
• When a church community endures public ridicule from a dominant, non-believing culture.
• When someone experiencing hardship is dismissed and looked down upon by those in privileged positions.