Psalms 79:4
Psalms 79:4 in Multiple Translations
We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those around us.
We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.
We are become a reproach to our neighbors, A scoffing and derision to them that are round about us.
We are looked down on by our neighbours, we are laughed at and made sport of by those who are round us.
We have been made a mockery before our neighbors, ridiculed and laughed at by those around us.
Wee are a reproche to our neighbours, euen a scorne and derision vnto them that are round about vs.
We have been a reproach to our neighbours, A scorn and a derision to our surrounders.
We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scoffing and derision to those who are around us.
We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to them that are around us.
Convert us, O God: and shew us thy face, and we shall be saved.
The people-groups that live in countries that surround our land insult us; they laugh at us and deride/belittle us.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 79:4
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 79:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הָיִ֣ינוּ
חֶ֭רְפָּה
לִ/שְׁכֵנֵ֑י/נוּ
לַ֥עַג
וָ֝/קֶ֗לֶס
לִ/סְבִיבוֹתֵֽי/נוּ
הָיִ֣ינוּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Perf-1cp
חֶ֭רְפָּה
cherpâh
H2781
reproach
N-fs
לִ/שְׁכֵנֵ֑י/נוּ
shâkên
H7934
neighboring
Prep | Adj | Suff
לַ֥עַג
laʻag
H3933
derision
N-ms
וָ֝/קֶ֗לֶס
qeleç
H7047
derision
Conj | N-ms
לִ/סְבִיבוֹתֵֽי/נוּ
çâbîyb
H5439
around
Prep | N-cp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 79:4
הָיִ֣ינוּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Perf-1cp
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.
חֶ֭רְפָּה
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.
לִ/שְׁכֵנֵ֑י/נוּ
shâkên
H7934
"neighboring"
Prep | Adj | Suff
This word describes someone who lives near you, like a neighbor or a fellow citizen. It's used in books like Genesis and Jeremiah to talk about the people around you.
Definition: 1) inhabitant, neighbour 1a) inhabitant 1b) neighbour
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: inhabitant, neighbour, nigh. See also: Exodus 3:22; Psalms 89:42; Psalms 31:12.
לַ֥עַג
laʻag
H3933
"derision"
N-ms
Derision or scoffing is what this word is all about, describing a strong feeling of contempt or mocking.
Definition: 1) mocking, derision, stammering 1a) mocking, derision 1b) stammerings
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: derision, scorn (-ing). See also: Job 34:7; Psalms 123:4; Psalms 44:14.
וָ֝/קֶ֗לֶס
qeleç
H7047
"derision"
Conj | N-ms
Derision is when someone is laughed at or made fun of, and this word is used to describe times when people were mocked or ridiculed. It is found in the book of Psalms and other places. Derision can be very hurtful.
Definition: derision, ridicule
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: derision. See also: Psalms 44:14; Psalms 79:4; Jeremiah 20:8.
לִ/סְבִיבוֹתֵֽי/נוּ
çâbîyb
H5439
"around"
Prep | N-cp | Suff
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Definition: : around/border subst 1) places round about, circuit, round about adv 2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about prep 3) in the circuit, from every side
Usage: Occurs in 282 OT verses. KJV: (place, round) about, circuit, compass, on every side. See also: Genesis 23:17; 1 Kings 7:24; Psalms 3:7.
Study Notes — Psalms 79:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 79:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 79:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 79:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 79:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 79:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 79:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 79:4
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 79:4
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 79:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 79:4
- Sermons on Psalms 79:4
Context — A Prayer for Deliverance
2They have given the corpses of Your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth.
3They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead.
4We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those around us.
5How long, O LORD? Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire? 6Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge You, on the kingdoms that refuse to call on Your name,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 80:6 | You make us contend with our neighbors; our enemies mock us. |
| 2 | Lamentations 5:1 | Remember, O LORD, what has happened to us. Look and see our disgrace! |
| 3 | Psalms 89:41 | All who pass by plunder him; he has become a reproach to his neighbors. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 28:37 | You will become an object of horror, scorn, and ridicule among all the nations to which the LORD will drive you. |
| 5 | Nehemiah 4:1–4 | Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!” Hear us, O God, for we are despised. Turn their scorn back upon their own heads, and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 25:18 | to make them a ruin, an object of horror and contempt and cursing, as they are to this day—Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, its kings and officials; |
| 7 | 1 Kings 9:7 | then I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them, and I will banish from My presence this temple I have sanctified for My Name. Then Israel will become an object of scorn and ridicule among all peoples. |
| 8 | Psalms 44:13–14 | You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, a mockery and derision to those around us. You have made us a byword among the nations, a laughingstock among the peoples. |
| 9 | Daniel 9:16 | O Lord, in keeping with all Your righteous acts, I pray that Your anger and wrath may turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; for because of our sins and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all around us. |
| 10 | Nehemiah 2:19 | But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” |
Psalms 79:4 Summary
This verse means that the people of God have become a laughing stock to those around them, and they're feeling ashamed and scorned. This can happen to us as believers when we're persecuted or mocked for our faith, but we can trust in God's love and sovereignty, as promised in John 16:33. We can bring our pain and sorrow to Him, just like the psalmist does in this verse, and trust that He will work all things out for our good, as seen in Romans 8:28. By trusting in God, we can find comfort and strength in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be a reproach to our neighbors?
To be a reproach means to be an object of shame or scorn, as seen in Psalms 79:4. This can happen when we, as believers, are persecuted or mocked for our faith, similar to what is described in Matthew 5:11-12.
How does this verse relate to the surrounding context?
This verse is part of a lament, where the psalmist is crying out to God about the suffering of His people, as described in Psalms 79:2-3. The psalmist is expressing the emotional pain of being ridiculed and scorned by their neighbors.
What can we learn from the psalmist's expression of emotion?
The psalmist's expression of emotion teaches us that it's okay to be honest with God about our feelings, as seen in Psalms 42:11. We can bring our pain and sorrow to Him, just like the psalmist does in Psalms 79:4.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives?
We can apply this verse by recognizing that, as believers, we may face ridicule or scorn from the world, but we can trust in God's sovereignty and love, as promised in Romans 8:28 and John 16:33.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I have felt like a reproach or scorn to those around me, and how can I bring those feelings to God in prayer?
- How can I balance being a light for Christ in a world that may scorn or ridicule me, as described in Matthew 5:14-16?
- What are some ways I can support and encourage fellow believers who may be facing persecution or ridicule for their faith?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty and love when I'm facing difficult circumstances, as promised in Psalms 23:4 and Isaiah 43:2?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 79:4
We are become a reproach to our neighbours,.... That is, those that remained; so the Jews were to the Edomites, especially at the time of the Babylonish captivity, Psalms 137:7, a scorn and derision
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 79:4
We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us. We are become a reproach to our neighbours - (Psalms 44:13).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 79:4
We, who were their terror and scourge, are now neither feared nor pitied, but become the matter of their scoffs and reproaches. See 137:7 ,12, &c.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 79:4
Psalms 79:4 We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.Ver. 4. We are become a reproach to our neighbours] To the Edomites, Philistines, Syrians, Tyrians, &c., who do now compose comedies out of our tragedies. A scorn and derision to them that are round about us] Quorum opprobriis, ludibriis, et contumeliis sumus expositi. This was more grievous to them than stripes or wounds, saith Chrysostom; because these being inflicted upon the body, are divided after a sort between soul and body; but scorns and reproaches do wound the soul only. Habet quendam aculeum contumelia, they leave a sting behind them, as Cicero observeth, Actio in Ver.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 79:4
(4) This verse occurs Psalms 44:13. Also possibly a Maccabæan psalm. (See Introduction to that psalm.) The scenes still witnessed by travellers at the Jews’ wailing-place offer a striking illustration of the foregoing verses, showing, as they do, how deep-seated is the love of an ancient place in the Oriental mind. (See a striking description in Porter’s Giant Cities of Bashan.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 79:4
Verse 4. We are become a reproach to our neighbours] The Idumeans, Philistines, Phoenicians, Ammonites, and Moabites, all gloried in the subjugation of this people; and their insults to them were mixed with blasphemies against God.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 79:4
4. A repetition of Psa 44:13, with the change of ‘thou makest us’ to ‘we are become.’ Cp. Psalms 80:6; Ezekiel 22:4; Ezekiel 25:6 ff. Daniel 9:16 combines this verse with Psalms 79:8 a.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 79:4
We are become a reproach to our neighbours - See the language in this verse explained in the notes at Psalms 44:13. The words in the Hebrew are the same, and the one seems to have been copied from the other.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 79:4
4. We are become a reproach… scorn… derision—This is not the least ingredient in the punishment of sin, (see Psalms 44:12-16,) and is here urged to induce God to interfere in mercy, as the reproach was also on his name.
Sermons on Psalms 79:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Heaven: Its Hope by D.L. Moody | The preacher delves into the concept of hostility, describing it as a word spoken against or defiance against authority, often involving strife and enmity. The term 'antilogia' is |
|
Nehemiah, Esther by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Nehemiah and the importance of having a burden for God's work. He emphasizes the need for one person who is not discouraged by o |
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Standing Firm Under Attack by Skip Heitzig | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the negative mindset of some individuals who only focus on the negative aspects of God's work. He uses the example of Sandballot and Tobias in |
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Nehemiah #2: Chapter 2-6 by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the lack of vision and discernment among the people regarding the state of the city walls. He emphasizes the importance of understanding God's |
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Rubbish by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon on Nehemiah chapter 4, the preacher begins by expressing his delight in studying and meditating on this chapter. He highlights the opposition faced by Nehemiah and t |
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Ten Principles of Warfare by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman discusses the 'Ten Principles of Warfare' based on Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, emphasizing the importance of spiritual warfare in our lives today |
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Rubbish Behind the Wall by George H. Alquist Jr. | George H. Alquist Jr. preaches on Nehemiah and the building of the wall, illustrating the reality of enemies hindering God's work. He emphasizes that wherever God's people work, en |