King James Version

What Does Psalms 31:11 Mean?

Psalms 31:11 in the King James Version says “I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that ...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.”

Psalms 31:11 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

9

Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.

10

For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.

11

I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.

12

I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel. a broken: Heb. a vessel that perisheth

13

For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me. Social death—isolation and rejection compounding physical and emotional suffering. This illustrates how sin and suffering alienate from community, prefiguring Christ's rejection.

A reproach (cherpah—disgrace, scorn) means David has become mockery target, his suffering interpreted as divine judgment. Reformed theology recognizes world often reads God's providence backwards—assuming suffering equals guilt. Job's friends made this error; David experiences it personally.

But especially among my neighbours intensifies pain. Strangers' scorn stings; neighbors' scorn devastates. Those who knew David, who should offer support, join reproach. Betrayal within community compounds external persecution.

A fear to mine acquaintance reveals active avoidance. Hebrew pachad suggests dread or terror. His condition has become so associated with divine displeasure that acquaintances fear contamination by association. This prefigures Christ, despised and rejected, from whom people hid faces (Isaiah 53:3). The Suffering Servant experiences comprehensive abandonment so believers need never be ultimately forsaken.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Social isolation was more painful in ancient collectivist cultures than modern individualistic societies. Hebrew identity was deeply communal—family, clan, tribe, nation. To be cut off meant loss of identity, protection, purpose. David's isolation would be experienced as partial death even while physically alive.

Jesus experienced this rejection supremely. Disciples fled, people chose Barabbas, nation rejected Him as Messiah. The Righteous One bore reproach of unrighteous, absorbing shame so believers can be welcomed into eternal community.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does social isolation compound other suffering forms, and why is community essential?
  2. Have you experienced avoidance during hardship, and how did this affect you?
  3. In what ways does Christ's experience of reproach comfort believers who face rejection?
  4. How should Christians respond when others interpret someone's suffering as divine judgment?
  5. What does David's experience teach about maintaining fellowship with suffering believers?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
מִכָּל1 of 12
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

צֹרְרַ֨י2 of 12

“among all mine enemies”

H6887

to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive

הָיִ֪יתִי3 of 12
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

חֶרְפָּ֡ה4 of 12

“I was a reproach”

H2781

contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

וְלִ֥שְׁכֵנַ֨י׀5 of 12

“among my neighbours”

H7934

a resident; by extension, a fellow-citizen

מְאֹד֮6 of 12

“but especially”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

וּפַ֪חַד7 of 12

“and a fear”

H6343

a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)

לִֽמְיֻדָּ֫עָ֥י8 of 12

“to mine acquaintance”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

רֹאַ֥י9 of 12

“they that did see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

בַּח֑וּץ10 of 12

“me without”

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

נָדְד֥וּ11 of 12

“fled”

H5074

properly, to wave to and fro (rarely to flap up and down); figuratively, to rove, flee, or (causatively) to drive away

מִמֶּֽנִּי׃12 of 12
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 31:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 31:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 38:11Psalms 88:8Matthew 26:56Psalms 88:18Isaiah 49:7Psalms 64:8

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