Psalm 69 11

Psalm 69:11 kjv

I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.

Psalm 69:11 nkjv

I also made sackcloth my garment; I became a byword to them.

Psalm 69:11 niv

when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me.

Psalm 69:11 esv

When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them.

Psalm 69:11 nlt

When I dress in burlap to show sorrow,
they make fun of me.

Psalm 69 verses

Psalm 69 11 Meaning

Psalm 69:11 describes the profound internal and external suffering of the psalmist. He conveys that when he demonstrated deep humility and lament through the ancient practice of wearing sackcloth as his outward garment, instead of gaining sympathy or understanding, he became an object of public ridicule and scorn. His sincere expression of distress or devotion was twisted by his adversaries into a reason for taunts, making him a common subject of derogatory conversation.

Psalm 69 11 Context

Psalm 69 is a profound lament by an individual, traditionally attributed to David, who is suffering severe persecution, humiliation, and intense, undeserved hatred from numerous adversaries. The psalmist expresses deep anguish, crying out to God from overwhelming distress, described as sinking in deep mire and floods. Throughout the psalm, he pleads for deliverance and retribution against his persecutors. The emotional intensity and descriptions of suffering make Psalm 69 one of the most significant Messianic psalms in the Old Testament, with several verses quoted or alluded to in the New Testament to describe the passion of Christ. Verse 11 highlights a particular form of suffering: public mockery for what should be an act of private devotion or profound sorrow.

Historically and culturally, wearing sackcloth (Hebrew: saq) was a well-established custom in the ancient Near East and Israel. It was a coarse garment, usually made of goats' hair, worn as an outward sign of mourning (for the dead or for communal sin), deep sorrow, humiliation, or sincere repentance. It signified a lowering of one's status, an act of abasement before God or man. To wear sackcloth was a public declaration of one's inner distress or penitence, seeking divine mercy or expressing profound grief. The reaction to this humble display, as described in the verse—becoming a "byword" (Hebrew: mashal)—means the psalmist became the subject of derogatory proverbs, taunts, or common sarcastic sayings among his enemies. It indicates intense public shame, derision, and scorn, where his sincere expressions of grief or repentance were met not with empathy, but with contempt and ridicule, transforming his suffering into a spectacle for the enjoyment of his adversaries. This perversion of a devout act into an occasion for mockery highlights the extreme hostility the psalmist faced.

Psalm 69 11 Word analysis

• When I made: This phrase implies a deliberate, conscious action on the part of the psalmist. It was not something forced upon him, but an internal decision to manifest his inner state outwardly.
• sackcloth (שַׂק - saq):
  • Meaning: A coarse, dark fabric, typically woven from goats' hair, used for rough garments or bags.
  • Significance: Symbolizes deep mourning, profound grief, intense repentance, distress, or humility. Wearing it signified a willingness to lower oneself, shed status, and express utter dependence on God. It was a visible sign of a broken spirit and a contrite heart (Psa 51:17).
• my clothing (לְבוּשִׁי - lĕvūshī):
  • Meaning: My garment, my attire.
  • Significance: Emphasizes that the sackcloth was not just a temporary accessory but adopted as his primary attire, signifying an enduring state of humility, lament, or spiritual discipline. It became a public identifier, manifesting his private anguish.
• I became (וָאֶהִי - vā’ehī):
  • Meaning: And I was, I became, I existed as.
  • Significance: Marks a transformation of his public perception; the action of wearing sackcloth led directly to this negative outcome. It highlights a consequence and identity that was thrust upon him by others.
• a byword (לְמָשָׁל - lĕmāšāl):
  • Meaning: A proverb, parable, taunt, allegory, or object of derision. From the root mashal, which denotes comparison or likeness.
  • Significance: Implies that the psalmist's situation became a subject of common, scornful conversation. He was turned into a figure of speech, a derogatory example, or a constant subject of mockery. His grief was mocked, and his spiritual discipline was treated as foolishness. This brought profound shame and dishonor in a culture where reputation was paramount.
• among them (לָהֶם - lāhem):
  • Meaning: For them, to them, concerning them, in their presence.
  • Significance: Clearly identifies the perpetrators of the scorn – the psalmist's adversaries mentioned throughout Psalm 69. It indicates the public nature of the humiliation, occurring in the presence and by the active participation of his enemies.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "When I made sackcloth my clothing": This phrase describes an intentional act of self-abasement, signifying sincere devotion, deep sorrow, or penitence. It was a gesture directed toward God or in acknowledgement of grave circumstances, reflecting an inner spiritual state made visible. This act, rooted in religious tradition and deep personal feeling, serves as the initial context for the verse's unfolding tragedy.
• "I became a byword among them": This part of the verse reveals the perverted outcome of the psalmist's sincere act. Instead of being seen with sympathy, understanding, or respect for his humility or grief, his very appearance became ammunition for his enemies. His outward demonstration of distress was seized upon by his adversaries and used as a constant source of public ridicule and malicious gossip. His suffering became their entertainment, and his vulnerability became their opportunity for scorn.

Psalm 69 11 Bonus section

• This verse can be seen as foreshadowing Christ's suffering, where His ultimate humility (Phil 2:8) and willingness to suffer for humanity were met not with adoration from the world, but with utter contempt, ridicule, and crucifixion. While Jesus did not literally wear sackcloth as part of His humiliation, the principle of humble suffering being met with profound mockery is vividly present in His passion, particularly in the soldiers' taunting and the crowds' scorn at the cross.
• The suffering depicted is not just physical or emotional but social and spiritual. To be a "byword" was to lose honor and standing within the community, a deep cut in collectivist ancient societies. This profound dishonor served as a significant part of the psalmist's torment.
• The imagery of "sackcloth" as clothing signifies an ongoing state, not merely a fleeting moment. This means the mockery was continuous and relentless, turning his very identity into a target of scorn.

Psalm 69 11 Commentary

Psalm 69:11 illustrates the painful paradox where an act of genuine humility, lament, or spiritual discipline—represented by wearing sackcloth—is met with harsh derision rather than compassion. The psalmist's personal expression of anguish, intended possibly for divine eyes or as an honest reflection of inner turmoil, was instead transformed by his enemies into public mockery. He became a "byword," meaning his very being or situation was used as a proverb of scorn and contempt. This deep-seated hatred is a central theme in Psalm 69, foreshadowing the unjust suffering and rejection of the Messiah. It reveals that the world often misinterprets or actively despises true godliness, humility, and lament, especially when it exposes the world's own callousness or sin. The verse speaks to the profound isolation and intensified suffering that come when one's sincere attempts at seeking God or grieving are turned into public sport.