Psalm 44 13

Psalm 44:13 kjv

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

Psalm 44:13 nkjv

You make us a reproach to our neighbors, A scorn and a derision to those all around us.

Psalm 44:13 niv

You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around us.

Psalm 44:13 esv

You have made us the taunt of our neighbors, the derision and scorn of those around us.

Psalm 44:13 nlt

You let our neighbors mock us.
We are an object of scorn and derision to those around us.

Psalm 44 verses

Psalm 44 13 Meaning

Psalm 44:13 articulates a poignant lament where the suffering community perceives God as actively causing their national humiliation. They are made an object of disgrace and ridicule by neighboring nations and those in their immediate vicinity. This is not seen as the work of enemies alone, but a direct consequence of God's action, deeply affecting their honor and reputation among the surrounding peoples.

Psalm 44 13 Context

Psalm 44 is a communal lament, one of the few psalms where the people declare their innocence despite suffering profound national humiliation and military defeat. The psalm opens with a recollection of God's mighty acts in the past (vv. 1-8), attributing their former successes to God's favor, not their own strength. However, the mood shifts dramatically from verse 9 onward, as they describe their current dismal state, feeling rejected and defeated by God. Verse 13, "You make us a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and a derision to those around us," specifies the public and reputation-damaging aspect of this defeat. The "neighbors" (šəḵēnê·nū) imply surrounding nations who would witness Israel's downfall and interpret it as God's weakness or abandonment of His people, thereby profaning His name. This challenges the covenant promises of protection and blessing, yet the psalmists maintain their fidelity, adding to the theological tension. Historically, such situations of national disgrace could arise after a significant military defeat (e.g., in the Babylonian invasion, or later Hellenistic period conflicts), or any time Israel felt subjected by foreign powers while believing themselves to be faithful.

Psalm 44 13 Word analysis

• You make us (תְּשִׂימֵנוּ - tə·śî·mê·nū): Derived from the Hebrew verb שִׂים (sîm), meaning "to set, place, appoint, make." The second person singular imperfect form here strongly emphasizes that the psalmist perceives God as the active agent responsible for their humiliation. This is a direct accusation and a deep lament, not just an acknowledgment of suffering, but an indictment of its perceived divine source. It signifies a profound theological crisis.
• a reproach (לְחֶרְפָּה - lə·ḥer·pāh): From the noun חֶרְפָּה (ḥerpāh), meaning "shame, disgrace, dishonor, taunt." It signifies a profound loss of dignity and social standing, a public humiliation that evokes scorn from others. In the biblical worldview, ḥerpāh often has a covenantal dimension, representing the opposite of honor and blessing, signifying a failure to uphold one's divine mandate.
• to our neighbors (לִשְׁכֵנֵינוּ - liś·ḵê·nê·nū): From the noun שָׁכֵן (šāḵēn), meaning "neighbor" or "dweller nearby." This emphasizes that the humiliation is witnessed and experienced by those in close proximity, amplifying the personal and communal pain. These are not distant, abstract enemies but those with whom Israel had frequent interaction, intensifying the scorn.
• a scorn (לַעַג - la·ʿaḡ): From the noun לַעַג (laʿaḡ), meaning "mockery, derision, contempt, scoffing." This word describes the active verbal abuse and ridicule directed at them, emphasizing that they are not just disgraced, but actively made fun of and despised. It points to verbal attacks and disdain.
• and a derision (וָקֶלֶס - wā·qe·les): From the noun קֶלֶס (qeḏes), meaning "jeering, taunt, object of scorn." This word often implies a sneering or disdainful kind of mockery, signifying that they are not only laughed at but seen as pathetic or utterly worthless. It appears less frequently than laʿaḡ but carries a similar, perhaps more intense, nuance of contemptuous ridicule.
• to them that are round about us (לְסָבִיב לָנוּ - lə·sā·ḇîḇ lā·nū): More accurately, "to those around us." The Hebrew phrase literally means "to round about to us," reinforcing the idea that this reproach comes from all sides, from everyone in their vicinity. It underscores the pervasive nature of their public shame, leaving them no escape from the mocking gaze.

Words-group analysis:

• "You make us a reproach...": This phrase places the full weight of responsibility on God's action. The psalmist is not questioning if God allowed it, but actively accusing God of causing it. This bold questioning, characteristic of laments, highlights a severe crisis of faith where divine promises seem to be undone by divine action.
• "...reproach... scorn... derision...": This triple expression emphasizes the intensity and multifaceted nature of the humiliation. It moves from general shame (ḥerpāh) to active verbal mockery (laʿaḡ) and finally to contemptuous jeering (qeḏes), indicating a complete erosion of dignity and respect in the eyes of their neighbors. It's a progressive downfall into utter contempt.
• "...to our neighbors... to them that are round about us.": This reiteration underscores the public and localized nature of their suffering. Their shame is not hidden but visible to those nearest to them, who would previously have recognized their unique relationship with God. This public display undermines not just Israel's reputation but, by extension, God's reputation and power among the nations.

Psalm 44 13 Bonus section

The deep suffering and perceived divine abandonment expressed in Psalm 44:13 finds resonance in the experience of Christ and His followers. Jesus Himself became "a reproach of men" (Ps 22:6, a messianic psalm), endured scorn and derision from "those who passed by" (Mk 15:29). His public humiliation and crucifixion mirrored the very shame and contempt described in this verse, yet in His case, it was a willing bearing of sin and disgrace. Furthermore, this psalm challenges simple "cause-and-effect" theology often assumed in the Old Testament, where obedience brings blessing and disobedience brings curses. The psalmists explicitly deny their unfaithfulness, presenting a complex theological problem that resonates with the experience of righteous suffering in the world, foreshadowing Christian theology where suffering for Christ's sake is a given, a bearing of His reproach (Heb 13:13).

Psalm 44 13 Commentary

Psalm 44:13 captures a pinnacle of anguish in Israel's corporate lament, presenting God as the direct cause of their ignominy. The people, who insist upon their fidelity to the covenant, are baffled and devastated by their abject humiliation. The "reproach," "scorn," and "derision" from "neighbors" and "those around us" mean more than military defeat; it signifies a theological crisis. If God's chosen people, who have remained faithful, are brought so low and made a laughingstock, what does it say about their God? The nations would question God's power, His faithfulness to His covenant, and His very existence. This public humiliation becomes a defilement of God's own holy name, challenging the expectation that God would vindicate His people before the gentiles. The verse thus articulates a desperate plea rooted in national identity and God's glory, echoing themes found in prophetic books where God acts not only for Israel's sake but also for the vindication of His holy name among the nations. It is a profound cry for divine intervention not just for their welfare, but for the sake of God's reputation in a hostile world.