Psalm 89 50

Psalm 89:50 kjv

Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people;

Psalm 89:50 nkjv

Remember, Lord, the reproach of Your servants? How I bear in my bosom the reproach of all the many peoples,

Psalm 89:50 niv

Remember, Lord, how your servant has been mocked, how I bear in my heart the taunts of all the nations,

Psalm 89:50 esv

Remember, O Lord, how your servants are mocked, and how I bear in my heart the insults of all the many nations,

Psalm 89:50 nlt

Consider, Lord, how your servants are disgraced!
I carry in my heart the insults of so many people.

Psalm 89 verses

Psalm 89 50 Meaning

The psalmist, in profound distress, cries out to the Lord, pleading with Him to recall and respond to the intense shame and public disgrace that God's people are suffering at the hands of powerful nations. The psalmist explicitly states that he deeply and personally carries the burden of this scorn and humiliation from these many powerful peoples, recognizing that their mockery is ultimately directed not just at Israel, but at the very reputation and covenant faithfulness of God Himself.

Psalm 89 50 Context

Psalm 89 is a "Maskil" (instructive psalm) traditionally attributed to Ethan the Ezrahite. It contrasts a powerful declaration of God's unchanging faithfulness and eternal covenant with David (vv. 1-37) with a deep, heart-wrenching lament over Israel's present suffering and the apparent failure of that very covenant (vv. 38-51). Verse 50 sits at the climax of this lament, voicing a raw plea from the midst of national catastrophe. Historically, this likely reflects a period of immense national defeat, such as the Babylonian exile or a major military setback where the Davidic king was humiliated and the land overrun. In such times, pagan "mighty people" would mock Israel, attributing their victory to the superiority of their gods over Yahweh, thus challenging God's power and honor. The psalm highlights the profound tension between God's steadfast promises and the devastating reality of His people's plight.

Psalm 89 50 Word analysis

• Remember (וַזְכֹּר, va-zkhor): An imperative verb, expressing a fervent plea. It is not a request for mere cognitive recall but for God's active, interventional remembrance. This implies a call for Him to act on His covenant promises and display His justice in the current crisis.
• Lord (אֲדֹנָי, Adonai): A title signifying supreme sovereign master. The use of this name in the midst of desperation acknowledges God's ultimate authority and power, regardless of the grim circumstances, and serves as an appeal to His absolute rule.
• reproach (חֶרְפַּת, ḥerpat): A strong term meaning shame, disgrace, scorn, or public humiliation. It implies a deep wound to honor and standing, often carrying the connotation of blasphemy or an attack on God through His people.
• thy servants (עֲבָדֶיךָ, avadeykha): Refers to the covenant people of Israel, those who are consecrated to God's service. The term emphasizes their special relationship with God, making their public disgrace a reflection on Him.
• how I do bear (אֲשֶׁר נָשָׂאתִי, asher nasati): The psalmist's personal burden of this widespread suffering. Nasa signifies to lift, carry, or endure a heavy weight, illustrating the profound personal anguish felt over the nation's humiliation.
• in my bosom (בְחֵיקִי, be-cheiqi): An idiomatic expression pointing to the deepest, innermost part of one's being, typically the heart. Bearing something "in one's bosom" means internalizing it deeply, feeling its pain and shame profoundly on a personal and emotional level.
• the reproach (חֶרְפַּת, ḥerpat): Repetition of the noun emphasizes the pervasive and overwhelming nature of the shame and contempt. It underlines that this is a continuous, deeply felt affliction.
• of all the mighty people (כָּל־רֹבִים עַמִּים, kol-robim ammim): Refers to the numerous and powerful Gentile nations that oppose and oppress Israel. Their "reproach" is particularly stinging as it is based on their perception that Israel's God has been defeated, thus challenging the very honor and supremacy of Yahweh Himself.

Psalm 89 50 Bonus section

This verse serves as the emotional peak of Psalm 89's lament section (vv. 38-51), representing a final, desperate plea for divine intervention. It highlights a recurring theme in the Psalms where human suffering tests the boundaries of faith and forces the believer to wrestle with seemingly unanswered questions about God's faithfulness amidst hardship. Despite the anguish expressed, the act of lamenting to the Lord is itself an expression of faith, as it acknowledges God as the only one capable of remembering, hearing, and acting to alleviate such deep and pervasive shame. While the immediate context is one of national calamity, the underlying cry for God to address public humiliation endured for His sake remains a timeless appeal for believers facing scorn in the name of Christ (cf. 1 Pet 4:14-16).

Psalm 89 50 Commentary

Psalm 89:50 articulates a crucial theological dilemma: the tension between divine promises and experienced reality. The psalmist, as a representative of the afflicted nation, pleads with God to intervene on account of the deep "reproach" they endure from powerful enemies. This "reproach" is not merely personal insult; it's a profound humiliation that brings shame upon God's holy name, as the pagan nations view Israel's defeat as evidence of God's weakness (cf. Eze 36:20-23). The psalmist's cry, "how I do bear in my bosom," reveals the profound internalization of this communal suffering, making the national shame a deeply personal burden. It underscores that true spiritual leadership feels the pain of its people in their heart. The plea for God to "remember" is thus a call for God to vindicate His own reputation and demonstrate His faithfulness, prompting Him to act for His people's restoration and the silencing of their scoffers. This echoes the broader biblical pattern of God responding to His people's cries of distress and remembering His covenant (e.g., Exod 2:24). Ultimately, this suffering and "reproach" find their ultimate resolution in Jesus Christ, who perfectly bore the reproaches directed at God, ultimately triumphing over all shame and sin through His sacrificial work and resurrection (Rom 15:3; Heb 13:13).