Psalm 69 7

Psalm 69:7 kjv

Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.

Psalm 69:7 nkjv

Because for Your sake I have borne reproach; Shame has covered my face.

Psalm 69:7 niv

For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face.

Psalm 69:7 esv

For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach, that dishonor has covered my face.

Psalm 69:7 nlt

For I endure insults for your sake;
humiliation is written all over my face.

Psalm 69 verses

Psalm 69 7 Meaning

Psalm 69:7 expresses the psalmist's earnest plea to the Lord. Despite his intense suffering and reproach, his deepest concern is that his plight would not cause those who trust in God to be put to shame or dishonored. He understands that his personal distress could be perceived by others as evidence that God has failed, thereby undermining their faith or bringing discredit upon the divine name itself. The plea highlights a selfless concern for God's reputation and the steadfastness of the faithful community.

Psalm 69 7 Context

Psalm 69 is a psalm of lament, characterized by the psalmist's deep distress, intense suffering, and overwhelming sense of being afflicted by enemies and false accusations. The psalm begins with the psalmist metaphorically drowning in deep waters, signifying overwhelming trouble (Psa 69:1-3). He is a man reviled for his devotion to God, and his zealousness is misconstrued, bringing him reproach (Psa 69:9-10). The historical context often points to King David during periods of severe opposition, such as Absalom's rebellion, or even as a voice of the exiled community. Crucially, it is also a profoundly messianic psalm, with many verses directly or indirectly foretelling the suffering and actions of Jesus Christ, as frequently quoted in the New Testament. Verse 7 specifically occurs within this cry of profound personal anguish, yet shifts its focus to the impact of this suffering on the faith of others and on God's reputation. The psalmist's plea reflects a profound theological awareness that God's honor is intricately tied to the perceived well-being and faithfulness of His covenant people.

Psalm 69 7 Word analysis

• Let not: An imperative expression (`אַל` - al) conveying a strong prohibition or a fervent, pleading negative wish. It shows the intensity of the psalmist's prayer and concern.
• those who wait for You: `קֹוֶיךָ` (qovayk̄a). This refers to those who hope in the Lord, expect His deliverance, and rely solely on His faithfulness. It signifies active and patient trust.
• be put to shame: `יֵבֹשׁוּ` (yevoshu) from the root `בּוֹשׁ` (bosh). This Hebrew word implies deep humiliation, disappointment, or discredit. It means to be put to confusion or to have one's expectations fail. In this context, it suggests that if the psalmist's suffering is prolonged or unresolved, it might lead believers to question God's power or care, making their faith seem unfounded.
• through me: `בִּי` (biy), literally "in me" or "by means of me." The psalmist fears that his present state, or what is happening to him, could be misinterpreted or misused to undermine the faith of others. It highlights a selfless concern for how his own suffering might affect God's honor and the spiritual stability of other believers.
• O Lord GOD of hosts: `אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה צְבָאוֹת` (Adonai YHWH Tzeva'ot).
  • Adonai: Master, Lord, signifying absolute authority and ownership.
  • YHWH (God): The personal, covenantal name of God, revealing His self-existent, eternal nature and faithfulness to His promises.
  • Tzeva'ot (of hosts): Refers to God's dominion over all spiritual and earthly armies, forces, and powers. It emphasizes His omnipotence and supreme might. This full title underscores the psalmist's appeal to God's sovereign power and covenant fidelity.
• let not those who seek You: `מְבַקְשֶׁיךָ` (mevachsheykha). Similar to "those who wait for You," this describes individuals who actively pursue a relationship with God, desiring His presence, guidance, and favor. It implies a conscious, deliberate quest for divine encounter.
• be dishonored: `יִכָּלְמוּ` (yikkalmû) from the root `כָּלַם` (kalam). This word conveys disgrace, ignominy, or revilement. It is a stronger term than `בּוֹשׁ` (bosh) in some contexts, suggesting open contempt or mockery directed at the faith of those who follow God, seeing their devotion as foolish.
• O God of Israel: `אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל` (Elohei Yisrael). This title highlights God's special covenant relationship with the nation of Israel. It appeals to God's commitment and faithfulness to His chosen people, whose welfare and reputation are inextricably linked to His own.

• "Let not those who wait for You...be put to shame through me...let not those who seek You be dishonored through me": This central plea emphasizes a profound theological concern over the practical impact of his personal suffering on the collective faith. It transcends self-pity, moving to an intercessory level, showing that a believer's private pain can have public implications for God's reputation and the steadfastness of fellow believers. The repeated "through me" underlines the psalmist's self-awareness of being a potential stumbling block.
• "O Lord GOD of hosts; O God of Israel": The juxtaposition of these two powerful divine titles is highly significant. "Lord GOD of hosts" points to God's universal sovereignty, ultimate power, and ability to command all creation. "God of Israel" emphasizes His specific, covenantal relationship and faithfulness to His chosen people. The psalmist appeals to both the universal and particular aspects of God's character, asking Him to act based on His infinite power and His sworn covenant.

Psalm 69 7 Bonus section

The request in Psalm 69:7 for others not to be put to shame or dishonored "through me" is an expression of what might be termed 'vicarious concern' or 'reputation theology.' It reflects an understanding that a covenant community's well-being and a leader's status are intricately tied to God's perceived honor among both believers and unbelievers. If God's chosen ones or His leaders are seemingly abandoned or subjected to deep humiliation, it can discredit God's reputation. This theological concept is vital throughout the Scriptures, seen in Moses' intercession in the wilderness, pleading that God would not destroy Israel lest the Egyptians say God could not bring them into the promised land (Num 14:13-16), or later prophets lamenting the defilement of God's name among the nations (Ezek 36:20-23). The verse, in its New Testament fulfillment, points powerfully to Jesus Christ, who endured immense shame and dishonor (Heb 12:2), yet through His suffering and resurrection, God's ultimate faithfulness was vindicated, leading to the glory of His name and the strengthening of His followers' faith. Christ truly bore the ultimate reproach, ensuring that those who wait for and seek God would never ultimately be put to shame.

Psalm 69 7 Commentary

Psalm 69:7 offers a deeply insightful perspective on spiritual suffering. The psalmist, engulfed by trials and reproaches, articulates a selfless prayer that transcends his own pain. His primary concern is not merely for his personal deliverance, but for the implications his unredressed suffering might have for the broader community of faith. If those who patiently await and actively seek the Lord witness His faithful servant enduring what appears to be unmerited disgrace, it could lead them to doubt God's goodness, power, or faithfulness. This concern highlights the interconnectedness within the body of believers and the importance of how our walk impacts others' faith. The psalmist's appeal to "Lord GOD of hosts" emphasizes God's omnipotent control over all creation, and to "God of Israel" His covenant loyalty to His chosen people. The verse is profoundly Messianic, resonating with Christ's own concern for the faith of His disciples amidst His suffering and for the glory of His Father even unto death on the cross (John 17).Practical usage: Believers today can draw from this verse the lesson of maintaining concern for how their own lives, especially during trials, might reflect on God's name and impact the faith of fellow believers. It calls for a life that, even in adversity, points to God's enduring faithfulness, ensuring that the suffering of one does not cause others to stumble in their trust.