Psalm 44 15

Psalm 44:15 kjv

My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,

Psalm 44:15 nkjv

My dishonor is continually before me, And the shame of my face has covered me,

Psalm 44:15 niv

I live in disgrace all day long, and my face is covered with shame

Psalm 44:15 esv

All day long my disgrace is before me, and shame has covered my face

Psalm 44:15 nlt

We can't escape the constant humiliation;
shame is written across our faces.

Psalm 44 verses

Psalm 44 15 Meaning

Psalm 44:15 vividly articulates the unceasing and overwhelming experience of public shame and internal humiliation faced by the psalmist or the community. Their disgrace is not a fleeting moment but a constant companion, ever-present before their eyes, while the depth of their humiliation has consumed them, metaphorically covering their face, the seat of honor and identity. This verse describes a state of profound and continuous dishonor, where dignity has been stripped away, and their very existence feels marred by reproach.

Psalm 44 15 Context

Psalm 44 is a communal lament of the sons of Korah, crying out to God during a time of national distress and apparent defeat, despite the people's stated faithfulness to the covenant. Unlike many other laments which connect suffering with sin, this psalm emphasizes the people's innocence ("nor have our steps deviated from Your way," v. 18) and their continued trust in God ("We do not trust in our bow," v. 6). The psalm recounts God's past glorious acts (v. 1-3) to contrast with their present desperate situation. Verse 15 follows a vivid description of their humiliation: being given up as sheep for slaughter, sold cheaply, made a reproach, a byword, and an object of scorn to their neighbors (v. 11-14). Therefore, "All the day long my disgrace is before me" serves as a summarizing statement of their continuous, inescapable public degradation and the profound inner anguish caused by this corporate shame.

Psalm 44 15 Word analysis

• All the day long (כָּל הַיּוֹם - kol hayyom): This Hebrew phrase emphasizes continuousness and pervasiveness. It means "constantly," "continually," or "without cessation." The shame is not episodic or temporary; it is an enduring and ever-present reality, akin to a shadow that never leaves them.
• my disgrace (חֶרְפָּתִי - ḥerpatī, from חֶרְפָּה ḥerpâ): This noun signifies reproach, scorn, shame, or public dishonor. It denotes the opprobrium cast upon them by others, often accompanied by taunts or mocking. In an honor-shame society, ḥerpâ was a devastating blow, implying a loss of status, respect, and social standing.
• is before me (נֶגְדִּי - negdī): This preposition means "in front of me," "opposite me," or "facing me." It indicates something directly visible, unmissable, and impossible to ignore. The disgrace is not hidden; it is a palpable reality, like an object directly in their field of vision, inescapable.
• and the shame (וּבֹשֶׁת - ūvošet, from בֹּשֶׁת bōšet): Similar to ḥerpâ but often conveying a deeper sense of internal ignominy, confusion, or abject humiliation. While ḥerpâ often emphasizes the outward reproach, bōšet can refer to the inward experience of shame or embarrassment arising from perceived failure or dishonor. It represents a state of being utterly disgraced.
• of my face (פָּנַי - pānay): Refers to the physical face or countenance. In ancient Near Eastern thought, the face was the locus of a person's honor, identity, and public representation. A radiant face indicated favor and well-being, while a downcast, hidden, or covered face signified distress, guilt, or extreme humiliation. The psalmist implies that their public image and personal sense of worth are directly and visibly affected.
• has covered me (כִּסְּתָה פָּנָי - kissetâ pānay which literally means "has covered my face"): The verb כסה (kāśāh) means "to cover," "conceal," or "wrap." Here, the shame is personified as something that literally envelops and obscures the face. It’s not merely "on" the face, but the very essence of their shame has become a covering, indicating its overwhelming and consuming nature. It implies a total eclipse of their honor and identity, making them unpresentable and deeply affected.

• "All the day long my disgrace is before me": This phrase portrays the relentless and pervasive nature of the community's public dishonor. It signifies that their humiliation is a perpetual sight and experience, never receding, affecting every moment of their waking lives. The disgrace isn't just something they endure occasionally; it is perpetually and tangibly "in front" of them, impossible to ignore.
• "and the shame of my face has covered me": This expression intensifies the experience of dishonor by moving beyond external reproach to deep, internal, and visibly manifest humiliation. "The shame of my face" speaks to a loss of public standing, where the very countenance reflects their debasement. "Has covered me" suggests that this shame is an overwhelming veil or cloak, enveloping their entire being, leaving no part untouched or unconcealed, erasing their former honor and identity.

Psalm 44 15 Bonus section

The strong imagery of the face in Psalm 44:15 highlights the ancient world's emphasis on honor and shame as primary social values. To "have one's face covered by shame" was not merely a psychological state but a profound social disfigurement, impacting public reputation, relationships, and even spiritual well-being. This corporate lament challenges simplistic Deuteronomic theology which often linked national suffering directly to sin. Here, the community proclaims innocence yet faces deep shame, leading them to grapple with God's perceived inaction. This verse, therefore, implicitly begs the question of divine justice and fidelity to the covenant in the face of apparently undeserved suffering. While specific to ancient Israel, the theme of unmerited shame resonates deeply with Christian experience, particularly the reproach borne by Christ on the cross (Heb 12:2), and by believers who suffer for their faith (1 Pet 4:16). They, like the psalmist, are called to endure reproach, but with the hope of ultimate vindication and transformation of shame into glory (Zeph 3:19).

Psalm 44 15 Commentary

Psalm 44:15 encapsulates the core experience of the supplicants: relentless disgrace and pervasive shame. "All the day long my disgrace is before me" underscores the continuous nature of their suffering, a constant public reproach visible to all, an unavoidable reality that confronts them incessantly. This external shame, a product of national humiliation, penetrates deeply, finding its internal expression in "the shame of my face has covered me." The face, symbolizing one's identity and honor, is depicted as being entirely enveloped by shame, suggesting an utter collapse of dignity and a profound sense of self-abasement. This is not merely a transient feeling but an overwhelming, consuming experience that leaves no facet of their being untouched. It signifies a complete stripping away of honor, leaving them exposed and undone by their perceived dishonor.