Psalms 109:25

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Psalms 109:25 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads.

King James Version KJV

I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads.

American Standard Version ASV

I am become also a reproach unto them: When they see me, they shake their head.

Bible in Basic English BBE

As for me, they make sport of me; shaking their heads when they see me.

Free Bible Version FBV

People ridicule me—they look at me and shake their heads!

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

I became also a rebuke vnto them: they that looked vpon me, shaked their heads.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And I — I have been a reproach to them, They see me, they shake their head.

World English Bible WEB

I have also become a reproach to them. When they see me, they shake their head.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

I became also a reproach to them: when they looked upon me they shook their heads.

Translation for Translators T4T

The people who accuse me make fun of me; when they see me, they insult me by shaking their heads at me as though I were an evil man.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 109:25

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Psalms 109:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/אֲנִ֤י הָיִ֣יתִי חֶרְפָּ֣ה לָ/הֶ֑ם יִ֝רְא֗וּ/נִי יְנִיע֥וּ/ן רֹאשָֽׁ/ם

וַ/אֲנִ֤י ʼănîy H589 I Conj | Pron

הָיִ֣יתִי hâyâh H1961 to be V-Qal-Perf-1cs

חֶרְפָּ֣ה cherpâh H2781 reproach N-fs

לָ/הֶ֑ם Prep | Suff

יִ֝רְא֗וּ/נִי râʼâh H7200 Provider V-Qal-Imperf-3mp | Suff

יְנִיע֥וּ/ן nûwaʻ H5128 to shake V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp | Suff

רֹאשָֽׁ/ם rôʼsh H7218 head N-ms | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 109:25

וַ/אֲנִ֤י ʼănîy H589 "I" Conj | Pron

This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.

Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)

Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.

הָיִ֣יתִי hâyâh H1961 "to be" V-Qal-Perf-1cs

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

חֶרְפָּ֣ה cherpâh H2781 "reproach" N-fs

Cherpah means reproach or shame, often used to describe scorn or disgrace. In the Bible, it is used to express strong feelings of shame or humiliation.

Definition: 1) reproach, scorn 1a) taunt, scorn (upon enemy) 1b) reproach (resting upon condition of shame, disgrace) 1c) a reproach (an object)

Usage: Occurs in 72 OT verses. KJV: rebuke, reproach(-fully), shame. See also: Genesis 30:23; Isaiah 25:8; Psalms 15:3.

לָ/הֶ֑ם "" Prep | Suff

יִ֝רְא֗וּ/נִי râʼâh H7200 "Provider" V-Qal-Imperf-3mp | Suff

The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.

Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after

Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.

יְנִיע֥וּ/ן nûwaʻ H5128 "to shake" V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp | Suff

To shake means to move back and forth, like trembling with fear, as described in the book of Isaiah. It can also mean to be unstable or to wander, like the Israelites in the wilderness.

Definition: 1) to quiver, totter, shake, reel, stagger, wander, move, sift, make move, wave, waver, tremble 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to wave, quiver, vibrate, swing, stagger, tremble, be unstable 1a2) to totter, go tottering 1a2a) vagabond (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be tossed about or around 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to toss about 1c2) to shake, cause to totter 1c3) to shake, disturb 1c4) to cause to wander

Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: continually, fugitive, [idiom] make, to (go) up and down, be gone away, (be) move(-able, -d), be promoted, reel, remove, scatter, set, shake, sift, stagger, to and fro, be vagabond, wag, (make) wander (up and down). See also: Genesis 4:12; Psalms 109:25; Psalms 22:8.

רֹאשָֽׁ/ם rôʼsh H7218 "head" N-ms | Suff

This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.

Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum

Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.

Study Notes — Psalms 109:25

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Psalms 109:25 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 109:25
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 109:25
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 109:25
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 109:25
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 109:25
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 109:25
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 109:25
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 109:25
Sermons on Psalms 109:25

Context — The Song of the Slandered

23I am fading away like a lengthening shadow; I am shaken off like a locust. 24My knees are weak from fasting, and my body grows lean and gaunt.

25I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads.

26Help me, O LORD my God; save me according to Your loving devotion. 27Let them know that this is Your hand, that You, O LORD, have done it.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Psalms 22:6–7	But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads:
2	Psalms 69:19–20	You know my reproach, my shame and disgrace. All my adversaries are before You. Insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found no one.
3	Romans 15:3	For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: “The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.”
4	Psalms 69:9–12	because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me. I wept and fasted, but it brought me reproach. I made sackcloth my clothing, and I was sport to them. Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of drunkards.
5	Matthew 27:39–40	And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!”
6	Isaiah 37:22	this is the word that the LORD has spoken against him: ‘The Virgin Daughter of Zion despises you and mocks you; the Daughter of Jerusalem shakes her head behind you.
7	Job 16:4	I could also speak like you if you were in my place; I could heap up words against you and shake my head at you.
8	Psalms 31:11–13	Among all my enemies I am a disgrace, and among my neighbors even more. I am dreaded by my friends— they flee when they see me on the street. I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind. I am like a broken vessel. For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side. They conspire against me and plot to take my life.
9	Mark 15:29	And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days,
10	Hebrews 12:2	Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Psalms 109:25 Summary

This verse is saying that the Psalmist feels like people are laughing at him and making fun of him when they see him. He's feeling sad and alone, like he's not being taken seriously. But even in the midst of this pain, he's turning to God for help, as seen in Psalms 109:26, and trusting in His loving devotion, similar to what we see in Psalms 23:4 and Romans 8:28. We can learn from his example to trust in God's love and care for us, even when others are being cruel or rejecting us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Psalmist say he is an object of scorn to his accusers?

The Psalmist is expressing the pain and humiliation of being ridiculed and rejected by those who oppose him, as seen in Psalms 109:25, similar to how Jesus was scorned in Isaiah 53:3 and Matthew 27:39-40.

What does it mean to 'shake their heads' in this verse?

Shaking their heads is a gesture of contempt and disdain, indicating that the accusers are expressing their disgust and rejection of the Psalmist, much like the crowd's reaction to Jesus in Matthew 27:39-40.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the Psalm?

This verse is part of the Psalmist's lament and cry for help, as seen in Psalms 109:26-27, where he asks God to intervene and save him from his enemies, demonstrating his trust in God's loving devotion, as expressed in Psalms 109:26.

What can we learn from the Psalmist's experience of being scorned?

We can learn that even in the midst of rejection and humiliation, we can turn to God for comfort and deliverance, just as the Psalmist does in Psalms 109:26, and as seen in other scriptures such as Psalms 34:18 and Romans 8:35-39.

Reflection Questions

How do you respond when you are ridiculed or rejected by others, and what can you learn from the Psalmist's example?
In what ways can you identify with the Psalmist's feelings of being an object of scorn, and how can you apply his trust in God to your own life?
What are some ways that you can 'shake your head' in disgust or contempt, and how can you work to overcome these tendencies in your relationships with others?
How can you use this verse as a reminder to pray for those who are being persecuted or ridiculed, and to stand with them in their time of need?

Gill's Exposition on Psalms 109:25

I became also a reproach unto them,.... Or they reproached him; not only in life, traducing his conversation, blaspheming his miracles, calling him a Samaritan, saying he had a devil, and charging

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 109:25

I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 109:25

Instead of that pity which either religion or humanity should have taught them to a man in extreme misery, they loaded me with reproaches and scorns. Shaked their heads; a gesture of contempt and derision; of which see .

Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 109:25

Psalms 109:25 I became also a reproach unto them: [when] they looked upon me they shaked their heads.Ver. 25. I became also a reproach] In respect to my leanness. They shaked their heads] This is threatened as a curse, Deuteronomy 28:15-68, but may befall the best, as it did our Saviour, Psalms 22:7 Matthew 27:39

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 109:25

Verse 25. When they looked upon me they soaked their heads.] Thus was David treated by Shimei, 2 Samuel 16:5-6, and our blessed Lord by the Jews, Matthew 27:39.

Cambridge Bible on Psalms 109:25

25. And I—I am become a reproach unto them: When they see me, they shake their head, a gesture of contempt and abhorrence, as though I were the object of the wrath of God. Cp. Psalms 22:7; Psalms 69:10-12; Lamentations 2:15; Job 16:4.

Barnes' Notes on Psalms 109:25

I became also a reproach unto them - They reproached or reviled me as a bad man. Compare the notes at Psalms 22:6.

Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 109:25

25. Shaked their heads—Wagged their heads as a token of scorn and insult. See Psalms 22:7; Psalms 44:14; Lamentations 2:15; 2 Kings 19:21

Sermons on Psalms 109:25

	Sermon	Description
	America's Godly Heritage by John Franklin	In this sermon, the speaker recounts the story of the early pilgrims and Puritans who settled in America, seeing themselves as a type of the children of Israel. The sermon referenc
	Psalms - Part 1 by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of filling one's heart with the Word of God rather than simply avoiding evil. He references the story of a demon being cast ou
	Job #2: The Soul's Searching by Stephen Kaung	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Job and his friends in the Bible. He suggests that the conversations between Job and his friends can be seen as an allegory or p
	Righteousness Is a Gift - Godliness Is Not by K.P. Yohannan	K.P. Yohannan emphasizes that while righteousness is a gift from God, godliness requires a personal commitment to brokenness and humility. He illustrates that true New Testament Ch
	From Worm to Butterfly by George Warnock	George Warnock emphasizes the transformative journey from being 'a worm' to becoming a butterfly, illustrating humanity's helplessness and the need for divine intervention. He expl
	Example of Humility by Clement of Rome	Clement of Rome preaches about the humility of Christ, emphasizing how Jesus, despite having the power to come in pride and arrogance, chose to come in a lowly condition as prophes
	A Very Little Worm by Thomas Brooks	Thomas Brooks emphasizes that true assurance in God is accompanied by profound humility, as demonstrated by biblical figures like David, Abraham, Jacob, Job, Moses, and Paul. Each