King James Version

What Does Psalms 69:7 Mean?

Psalms 69:7 in the King James Version says “Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 69 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Psalms 69:7 · KJV

Context

5

O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee. sins: Heb. guiltiness

6

Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.

7

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

8

I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children.

9

For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face. This verse explains why David can appeal to God—his suffering stems from faithfulness to God, not personal wrongdoing. "For thy sake" (עָלֶיךָ/alekha) indicates the causative relationship: loyalty to God provoked the persecution. "Reproach" (חֶרְפָּה/cherpah) signifies public disgrace, scorn, and taunting—not merely private suffering but public humiliation.

"Shame hath covered my face" uses vivid imagery of shame as a garment or veil obscuring one's countenance. In honor-shame cultures, "face" represented one's social standing, dignity, and reputation. To have shame cover one's face meant complete loss of honor in the community's eyes. The perfect tense of "hath covered" (כִּסְּתָה/kissətah) indicates a completed, ongoing state—David remains under this shameful condition.

This verse anticipates Isaiah's Suffering Servant, who gave his back to smiters and "hid not my face from shame and spitting" (Isaiah 50:6). It finds ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who "endured the cross, despising the shame" (Hebrews 12:2) and whose visage was "marred more than any man" (Isaiah 52:14). The righteous sufferer's shame becomes, paradoxically, the means of humanity's glory.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern culture was profoundly honor-based. Public shaming represented social death—exclusion from community standing and protection. Reproach involved not mere disagreement but public mockery, slander, and attempts to destroy reputation. For David as king, such shame threatened not only personal dignity but national stability and God's covenant promises.

The phrase "for thy sake" echoes earlier psalms (Psalm 44:22, "For thy sake are we killed all the day long") and anticipates Paul's quotation in Romans 8:36. It establishes a pattern of righteous suffering that would characterize God's people throughout redemptive history.

In Jewish tradition, this verse was read in light of Israel's suffering through exile and diaspora. For Christians, it became central to Passion theology—Christ bore ultimate reproach and shame so believers might be clothed with righteousness and glory.

Reflection Questions

  1. Have you experienced reproach specifically because of faithfulness to Christ, or has your suffering been from other causes?
  2. How does distinguishing between suffering 'for His sake' and suffering from our own foolishness affect our spiritual response?
  3. What does Christ's willing acceptance of shame reveal about God's values versus worldly honor systems?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
כִּֽי1 of 7
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עָ֭לֶיךָ2 of 7
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

נָשָׂ֣אתִי3 of 7

“Because for thy sake I have borne”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

חֶרְפָּ֑ה4 of 7

“reproach”

H2781

contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

כִּסְּתָ֖ה5 of 7

“hath covered”

H3680

properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)

כְלִמָּ֣ה6 of 7

“shame”

H3639

disgrace

פָנָֽי׃7 of 7

“my face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

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 69:7 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 69:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 15:15Psalms 44:22Isaiah 50:6Hebrews 12:2Luke 23:11Psalms 22:6-8

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