Psalm 44 16

Psalm 44:16 kjv

For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.

Psalm 44:16 nkjv

Because of the voice of him who reproaches and reviles, Because of the enemy and the avenger.

Psalm 44:16 niv

at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me, because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge.

Psalm 44:16 esv

at the sound of the taunter and reviler, at the sight of the enemy and the avenger.

Psalm 44:16 nlt

All we hear are the taunts of our mockers.
All we see are our vengeful enemies.

Psalm 44 verses

Psalm 44 16 Meaning

Psalm 44:16 speaks to the profound anguish felt by the people of God not just due to physical defeat or suffering, but due to the accompanying public mockery, contempt, and direct verbal assaults against them and their God by their adversaries. It highlights how the verbal abuse and blasphemy from the "enemy and avenger" intensifies their distress and casts shame upon the divine name itself.

Psalm 44 16 Context

Psalm 44 is a communal lament of Israel, expressing profound confusion and sorrow over a severe military defeat and humiliation. It follows a powerful opening (vv. 1-8) where the people recount God's mighty acts in delivering their ancestors, emphasizing that their trust was solely in God and not in their own strength. However, the present reality is a stark contrast: God seems to have rejected them (vv. 9-16), selling them cheap, allowing them to be scattered and reproached. The people protest their innocence and faithfulness (vv. 17-22), affirming their covenant loyalty despite their suffering. Verse 16 specifically articulates a crucial component of their pain: the audible taunts and blasphemies of their enemies. This verbal abuse exacerbates their physical suffering and, more importantly, poses a direct challenge to God's honor and covenant fidelity, creating a crisis of faith that forms the core of their desperate cry for divine intervention.

Psalm 44 16 Word analysis

• Because of the voice:
  • Hebrew: mippəqôl (מִקּוֹל) - a combination of 'min' (from/because of) and 'qôl' (voice, sound).
  • Significance: Highlights that the suffering is not just internal but caused by audible, external provocation. The enemy's words are a direct, active agent in their distress. It implies public and persistent verbal assault.
• of him that reproaches:
  • Hebrew: meḥārēph (מְחָרֵף) - Hiphil participle of ḥāraph (חָרַף), meaning "to reproach, defy, taunt, put to shame, scorn."
  • Significance: This is not mere criticism but deep, biting, insulting scorn often directed at a person's dignity or identity. It carries a strong connotation of challenging and mocking. The one reproaching seeks to strip away honor and dignity.
• and blasphemes;
  • Hebrew: ûmaggādhēph (וּמְגַדֵּף) - conjunction 'and' (wāw) + participle of gādēph (גָּדֵף), meaning "to revile, blaspheme, speak injuriously of God or sacred things, slander."
  • Significance: Stronger than "reproaches." While "reproaches" often target people, "blasphemes" is typically reserved for speech against God, His attributes, or holy things. This means the enemy's scorn is directed not only at Israel but directly at the Lord God Himself, openly denying His power or righteousness. It's an act of defiling the sacred Name.
• by reason of the enemy:
  • Hebrew: mippəné 'ôyēbh (מִפְּנֵי אֹויֵב) - 'min' (from/because of) + 'pāním' (face/presence of) + 'ôyēbh' (enemy, adversary). "From the face of the enemy" conveys direct, undeniable opposition.
  • Significance: Clearly identifies the source of the verbal and physical aggression. The enemy is a deliberate opponent. The directness of "from the face" suggests their visible and unceasing hostility.
• and avenger.
  • Hebrew: ûmiṯnāqqēm (וּמִתְנַקֵּם) - conjunction 'and' (wāw) + Hithpael participle of nāqam (נָקַם), meaning "to take vengeance, avenge oneself, punish."
  • Significance: This word adds another layer to the enemy's nature. Not merely an opponent, but one intent on retaliatory harm or absolute destruction. They view themselves, perhaps, as executing some form of 'justice' or are simply driven by a deep desire to inflict comprehensive retribution, making their hostility more relentless and unforgiving. This emphasizes a malicious intent beyond simple conquest.

Words-group analysis:

• "voice of him that reproaches and blasphemes": This phrase underlines the verbal nature of the enemy's attack, which compounds Israel's physical defeat. The focus is on audible, public dishonor. This voice mocks not only the people but also the God who is supposed to protect them, making it an offense against divine honor. The dual terms "reproaches" and "blasphemes" indicate the breadth and depth of the enemy's disrespect—from general contempt to direct reviling of God.
• "by reason of the enemy and avenger": This grouping defines the adversary's multifaceted hostility. "Enemy" (אָוִיב - ôyēbh) signifies a general, active opposition or hatred. "Avenger" (מִתְנַקֵּם - mitnaqqēm) deepens this, revealing a calculated desire for retribution or comprehensive destruction. This signifies that the opponents are not passive but driven by a deliberate, hostile, and often vengeful agenda against God's people.

Psalm 44 16 Bonus section

• The humiliation expressed in this verse resonates deeply with those who face scorn or derision for their faith, making it a relatable passage for suffering believers.
• Ancient Near Eastern cultures viewed public mocking and defaming of a defeated people's gods as a normal part of conquest. Thus, the enemy's "voice" was not merely impolite but a theological declaration of their god's supremacy over Yahweh. This context explains the severe impact of such "blasphemy."
• The New Testament often reflects similar experiences of reproach borne by Christ and His followers. Jesus Himself bore the ultimate reproach, as enemies mocked His divine claims while He suffered on the cross, making this verse prophetic of His experience (Mt 27:39-44).
• The appeal in Psalm 44:16 essentially makes God's honor the ultimate reason for divine intervention. It's a prayer that asks God to act for His own glory, as the enemy's blasphemy directly challenges His very being and reputation.

Psalm 44 16 Commentary

Psalm 44:16 pinpoints a specific and painful dimension of Israel's lament: the public, audible, and persistent abuse from their enemies. This isn't just about military defeat; it's about the soul-crushing experience of having one's identity and one's God openly mocked and reviled. The "voice" emphasizes that the taunts are not private but public declarations, exacerbating the shame. The terms "reproaches" and "blasphemes" show the progression from general contempt to direct sacrilege against the living God, challenging His sovereignty and His ability to protect His covenant people. For the people of God, suffering in silence is difficult enough, but suffering while God's name is openly insulted in their humiliation strikes at the very heart of their faith and identity. The enemies, described as "enemy and avenger," are portrayed as relentless, seeking not just victory but complete humiliation and retribution. This verbal assault directly questions the faithfulness and power of God Himself, putting God's honor on the line and forming the bedrock for Israel's fervent plea for Him to arise and vindicate His name (as seen in later verses of the psalm). The deep spiritual pain is the direct result of their visible humiliation leading to the blasphemy of God's name among the nations, much as Ezekiel later describes (Eze 36:22-23). This provides an impetus for God to act, not just for the sake of His people, but for the sake of His holy name.