For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach, that dishonor has covered my face.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The deepest pain here isn't just suffering reproach, but that this suffering is for God's sake. It means the shame isn't about personal failure, but about being identified with God, a connection that draws derision from the world. This highlights how devotion to the Divine can make us a target for contempt.
For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach, that dishonor has covered my face.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm expresses deep suffering and abandonment, portraying the speaker as an outcast for his devotion to God. He's facing intense shame and reproach, feeling alienated even from his own family, all because of his commitment to God's cause and His house. The verses before detail the overwhelming nature of his enemies' attacks, and what follows will further plead for God's intervention amidst this persecution.
Ever felt shame for standing up for what's right? This verse reveals that the very things that bring us shame can actually be markers of our devotion to God.
David is crying out because he's experiencing deep shame and dishonor. But he's not just any sad person; he's someone suffering for God's sake.
The Cause of Contempt
What if the insults thrown at you felt like they were aimed at God Himself? This verse shows a profound identification with God's own reputation.
David's suffering goes beyond personal pain. He feels the weight of God's own dishonor as if it were his own.
Embodying God's Cause
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Understand the original words
cherpah · Hebrew Noun
Scorn, taunts, or insults directed at someone, often because of their commitment to God; it implies a social and personal burden carried for the sake of righteousness.
This psalm reflects the deep sorrow of one who suffers intensely, not for personal wrongdoing, but for unwavering devotion to God. The historical context reveals this pattern of reproach, from David's persecution by Saul to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who bore shame for the sake of His Father's redemptive plan.
c. 1015 BC
David Anointed King of Israel
Samuel anoints David as the future king of Israel, setting him on a path that would lead to conflict with the reigning king, Saul. This divine appointment would later be a source of his reproach.
c. 1010-1000 BC— this verse
David Flees from Saul
David is relentlessly pursued by King Saul, forcing him into hiding and living as an outlaw. During this period, he experiences intense persecution and betrayal, bearing reproach for his loyalty to God's anointing.
c. 970 BC
David Becomes King of Judah
Following Saul's death, David is made king over the tribe of Judah. This marks a period of continued strife and division within Israel before he ultimately unites the kingdom.
c. 970-930 BC
David's Reign as King of Israel
David's long reign brings a period of stability and expansion for Israel. However, his reign also includes significant challenges, personal failings, and ongoing conflicts, during which he continues to face reproach.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonian conquest leads to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, and the exile of many Israelites. This national tragedy deeply impacted the collective memory and prophetic understanding of suffering and reproach.
c. 460 BC
Jeremiah's Lament
The prophet Jeremiah also laments suffering and reproach for God's sake, crying out, 'For your sake I have borne reproach' (Jeremiah 15:15). This echoes the sentiment found in Psalm 69.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus Christ's Ministry and Crucifixion
The New Testament writers, particularly John and Paul, explicitly apply aspects of Psalm 69, including the theme of reproach borne for God's sake, to Jesus Christ. His suffering and rejection fulfill these ancient words in a profound way.
Jeremiah echoes this sentiment directly, pleading with God that he is suffering reproach for God's sake, highlighting the theme of enduring hardship for faithfulness.
John 2:17This passage is a direct New Testament application of Psalm 69, showing the disciples remembering Jesus' zealous dedication to God's house, which led to His suffering and reproach.
Romans 15:3Paul quotes this verse to illustrate Christ's example, showing that Jesus endured the insults of sinners against Himself to fulfill His Father's will, mirroring the psalmist's experience.
Psalm 44:15This psalm shares the same theme of enduring public shame and disgrace because of one's commitment to God and His people, emphasizing the isolation that can come with such devotion.
jfbPsalms 69:7: "Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face."
7-12. This plea contemplates his relation to God as a sufferer in His cause. Reproach, domestic estrangement (Mr 3:21; Joh 7:5), exhaustion in God's service (Joh 2:17), revilings and taunts of base men were the sufferings.
bensonPsalms 69:7: "Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face."
Psalm 69:7-9 . Because for thy sake — For my trust in thy promises, obedience to thy commands, and zeal for thy glory; “because I adhere to thee, and will use no unlawful means to right myself;” I have borne reproach — For they turn all these things into matter of contempt and derision. I am become a stranger to my brethren, &c. — They behave themselves toward me as if I were a perfect stranger, or a man of a…
The deepest pain here isn't just suffering reproach, but that this suffering is for God's sake. It means the shame isn't about personal failure, but about being identified with God, a connection that draws derision from the world. This highlights how devotion to the Divine can make us a target for contempt.
This psalm expresses deep suffering and abandonment, portraying the speaker as an outcast for his devotion to God. He's facing intense shame and reproach, feeling alienated even from his own family, all because of his commitment to God's cause and His house. The verses before detail the overwhelming nature of his enemies' attacks, and what follows will further plead for God's intervention amidst this persecution.
This psalm expresses deep suffering and abandonment, portraying the speaker as an outcast for his devotion to God. He's facing intense shame and reproach, feeling alienated even from his own family, all because of his commitment to God's cause and His house. The verses before detail the overwhelming nature of his enemies' attacks, and what follows will further plead for God's intervention amidst this persecution.
"For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach, that dishonor has covered my face." — The deepest pain here isn't just suffering reproach, but that this suffering is for God's sake. It means the shame isn't about personal failure, but about being identified with God, a connection th…
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Last reviewed October 2026