The Meaning of Psalms 79:4 Explained

Psalms 79:4

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

YLT: We have been a reproach to our neighbours, A scorn and a derision to our surrounders.

Darby: We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a mockery and a derision to them that are round about us.

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Psalms 79:4 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 79:1-13 - "help Us, O God Of Our Salvation"
It was the period of the Chaldean invasion. This cry of horror went forth from the heart of the Chosen People, who had looked upon the sacred shrine as inviolable. They could not believe that the tide of invasion could break in upon Jerusalem, or that the Holy City should be defiled by the profane feet of the heathen. This psalm should be compared with the book of Lamentations. We there find the same horror, the same anguish, the same sense of surprise, the same hatred of the foe, the same cry to God.
Does it seem as if God were angry with you? Have the heathen forced their way into the inner shrine and city of your heart? Are you brought very low and near unto death? Then begin to inquire whether some sin may not have alienated God from you. Confess it and put it away. Turn to God with a free and glad faith. Ask that His mercies may prevent (literally, "go before") and His help succor you, for His Name's sake. The sighing of the captive and the greatness of God power, Psalms 79:11, are in close affinity; and when you are delivered, remember your vows, and show forth His praise to all within your reach. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 79

1  The psalmist complains of the desolation of Jerusalem
8  He prays for deliverance
13  and promises thankfulness

What do the individual words in Psalms 79:4 mean?

We have become a reproach to our neighbors a scorn and derision to those who are around us
הָיִ֣ינוּ חֶ֭רְפָּה לִשְׁכֵנֵ֑ינוּ לַ֥עַג וָ֝קֶ֗לֶס לִסְבִיבוֹתֵֽינוּ

הָיִ֣ינוּ  We  have  become 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common plural
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
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  derision 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: קֶלֶס  
Sense: derision, ridicule.
לִסְבִיבוֹתֵֽינוּ  to  those  who  are  around  us 
Parse: Preposition-l, Adverb, first person common plural
Root: מוּסָב 
Sense: places round about, circuit, round about adv.