The Meaning of Psalms 44:13 Explained

Psalms 44:13

KJV: Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.

YLT: Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, A scorn and a reproach to our surrounders.

Darby: Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a mockery and a derision for them that are round about us;

ASV: Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbors, A scoffing and a derision to them that are round about us.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Thou makest  us a reproach  to our neighbours,  a scorn  and a derision  to them that are round about  us. 

What does Psalms 44:13 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 44:9-26 - A Plea For Present Help
In Psalms 44:11 God's people are compared to sheep appointed for meat, which are sold by the shepherd for naught, so worthless are they. Before their savage foes sheep are defenseless and unresisting. Their bitter lot is aggravated by their fear lest the shepherd has forgotten them. The reference in Psalms 44:19 to jackals suggests the further picture of a harried and panting flock. It is hardly to be wondered at that God's tender mercies seemed withdrawn from his people!
But notice how the Apostle Paul uses these words in Romans 8:36. He does not complain of forsakenness, nor appeal for help. On the contrary, he declares that in all these things we are more than conquerors, and that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. This is the lesson of the New Testament-that we conquer when we are defeated; overcome when we are slain; are strongest when we are beaten to the dust; and ascend to the throne only when we fie in the grave where Jesus, our Master, lay! John 12:24; 2 Corinthians 13:3-4. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 44

1  The church, in memory of former favors
7  complains of her present evils
17  professing her integrity,
24  she fervently prays for helpfulness

What do the individual words in Psalms 44:13 mean?

You make us a reproach to our neighbors a scorn and a derision to those all around us
תְּשִׂימֵ֣נוּ חֶ֭רְפָּה לִשְׁכֵנֵ֑ינוּ לַ֥עַג וָ֝קֶ֗לֶס לִסְבִיבוֹתֵֽינוּ

תְּשִׂימֵ֣נוּ  You  make  us 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular, first person common plural
Root: שׂוּמָה 
Sense: to put, place, set, appoint, make.
חֶ֭רְפָּה  a  reproach 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: חֶרְפָּה  
Sense: reproach, scorn.
לִשְׁכֵנֵ֑ינוּ  to  our  neighbors 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural construct, first person common plural
Root: שָׁכֵן  
Sense: inhabitant, neighbour.
לַ֥עַג  a  scorn 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: לַעַג  
Sense: mocking, derision, stammering.
וָ֝קֶ֗לֶס  and  a  derision 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: קֶלֶס  
Sense: derision, ridicule.
לִסְבִיבוֹתֵֽינוּ  to  those  all  around  us 
Parse: Preposition-l, Adverb, first person common plural
Root: מוּסָב 
Sense: places round about, circuit, round about adv.