Psalm 69 19

Psalm 69:19 kjv

Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.

Psalm 69:19 nkjv

You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor; My adversaries are all before You.

Psalm 69:19 niv

You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you.

Psalm 69:19 esv

You know my reproach, and my shame and my dishonor; my foes are all known to you.

Psalm 69:19 nlt

You know of my shame, scorn, and disgrace.
You see all that my enemies are doing.

Psalm 69 verses

Psalm 69 19 Meaning

Psalm 69:19 conveys the psalmist's deep lament and his earnest appeal to God, asserting God's perfect and intimate knowledge of his profound humiliation, shame, and public dishonor. Despite the intense suffering inflicted by adversaries, the psalmist finds solace and a basis for hope in the truth that God sees all his anguish and is fully aware of every oppressor and their malicious actions. This verse emphasizes God's comprehensive omniscience as a foundation for justice and deliverance.

Psalm 69 19 Context

Psalm 69 is a powerful lament psalm, traditionally attributed to David, expressing the deepest agony of an individual suffering intense and unjust persecution. The psalmist feels overwhelmed by trouble, "sinking in deep mire where there is no foothold" (Ps 69:2), and targeted by numerous foes who hate him "without cause" (Ps 69:4). This psalm is profoundly messianic, frequently quoted or alluded to in the New Testament to describe the suffering of Jesus Christ (e.g., Ps 69:4 in Jn 15:25; Ps 69:9 in Rom 15:3 and Jn 2:17; Ps 69:21 in Matt 27:34, 48).

Verse 19 is part of a direct address to God, forming a core part of the psalmist's prayer for deliverance. Following vivid descriptions of his distress and the cruelty of his enemies, the psalmist states his foundational belief: God sees and knows everything. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, "reproach," "shame," and "dishonor" were not merely private feelings but severe public humiliations that eroded social standing and identity, often interpreted as a sign of divine displeasure or abandonment. The psalmist counteracts this societal perception by affirming that God, the true judge, fully understands his innocent suffering and the malicious intent of his enemies.

Psalm 69 19 Word analysis

• You know: From the Hebrew verb יָדַעְתָּ (yada'ta). This is not mere intellectual acquaintance but an intimate, experiential knowledge. It implies understanding the depth and texture of the suffering, feeling it in a sense. It highlights God's omniscience, not just as a static attribute, but as an active, personal awareness of the psalmist's plight.
• my reproach: From חֶרְפָּתִי (ḥerpātī). This term signifies scorn, reviling, disgrace, or humiliation, often public. It's the act of having one's character, reputation, or actions publicly slandered or ridiculed, implying profound public dishonor.
• my shame: From בָשְׁתִּי (bāsḥtī). This refers to personal humiliation, often arising from a sense of failure, exposed weakness, or being put to confusion. It can be an internal feeling, but frequently stems from public disgrace. It speaks to the feeling of confusion or humiliation one experiences.
• and my dishonor: From כְּלִמָּתִי (kelimmātī). This word emphasizes ignominy, disgrace, or deep humiliation, specifically that which damages one's standing or brings utter contempt. It is often the consequence of a shameful act or a public display of powerlessness. This word reinforces the previous two, forming a cumulative picture of extreme, multifaceted humiliation.

Words-group analysis:

• "my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor": This triad of terms comprehensively describes the psalmist's suffering, particularly focusing on the public, relational, and internal dimensions of his humiliation. It’s not just physical pain but a deep emotional and social wound inflicted by public scorn, inner turmoil, and outright contempt. This combination signifies total and devastating humiliation, highlighting that the psalmist's suffering extends beyond physical harm to profound emotional and reputational damage.
• "My adversaries are all before You": The Hebrew צוֹרְרַי (ṣōrərī) means "my foes" or "those who distress me," indicating persistent, oppressive enemies. The phrase לְנֶגְדֶּךָ כָלָם (lənegeḏəḵā kolām), literally "before You, all of them," emphasizes God's comprehensive vision and understanding of every single adversary. They are not hidden, forgotten, or unknown to God. This knowledge serves as the basis for the psalmist's confidence that God will justly intervene. It implies that God not only sees the suffering but also precisely who is inflicting it and their malicious intentions.

Psalm 69 19 Bonus section

This verse implicitly addresses the ancient Near Eastern cultural understanding that suffering and public shame might indicate a curse from the gods or punishment for sin. By affirming that God knows his suffering and who causes it, the psalmist asserts his innocence and subtly argues against this societal misinterpretation. His suffering is not divine punishment but unjust persecution, which God fully apprehends. It reinforces the theological truth that God's justice is not blind or remote; it is perfectly informed and keenly aware of all details, distinguishing between righteous suffering and deserving punishment. The psalmist's confident statement highlights that God's perspective is the ultimate reality, far surpassing the flawed judgments or opinions of people. This becomes a blueprint for enduring trials with a profound sense of God's present and attentive care.

Psalm 69 19 Commentary

Psalm 69:19 is a poignant declaration of faith and a plea born out of extreme distress. It opens by acknowledging God's omniscient grasp of the psalmist's every wound – the public shaming (reproach), the deep internal mortification (shame), and the absolute discrediting (dishonor). This deep knowledge offers comfort, for it means God fully understands the unjust nature and depth of his suffering, unlike indifferent humanity.

The second part of the verse, "My adversaries are all before You," transforms the statement of God's omniscience into a foundational appeal for justice. It's an affirmation that no foe or wicked deed escapes God's notice. The psalmist isn't just complaining; he's appealing to a divine judge who is intimately aware of both his plight and the full identity and actions of his persecutors. This serves as a strong ground for his subsequent pleas for deliverance and judgment. In a context where public dishonor often signified divine abandonment, this verse flips the narrative: God is not ignorant, but actively aware, thus making justice inevitable. This verse profoundly prefigures Christ's suffering, as He also bore reproach, shame, and dishonor from His adversaries, who were indeed "all before" the Father. For the believer today, this verse provides immense comfort, assurance that our every sorrow and injustice is known and seen by God, providing hope that He will act in His perfect timing and wisdom.