Psalms 69:20

Authorized King James Version

Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

Word-by-Word Analysis

חֶרְפָּ֤ה׀

H2781

Reproach

contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

שָֽׁבְרָ֥ה

H7665

hath broken

to burst (literally or figuratively)

לִבִּ֗י

H3820

my heart

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

וָֽאָ֫נ֥וּשָׁה

H5136

and I am full of heaviness

to be sick, i.e., (figuratively) distressed

וָאֲקַוֶּ֣ה

H6960

and I looked

to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e., collect; (figuratively) to expect

לָנ֣וּד

H5110

for some to take pity

to nod, i.e., waver; figuratively, to wander, flee, disappear; also (from shaking the head in sympathy), to console, deplore, or (from tossing the hea

וָאַ֑יִן

H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

וְ֝לַמְנַחֲמִ֗ים

H5162

but there was none and for comforters

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

וְלֹ֣א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#10

מָצָֽאתִי׃

H4672

but I found

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

Analysis

The worship and praise theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern poetry and hymnic literature for worship shapes this text's meaning. Israel's liturgical traditions developed through centuries of temple worship and personal devotion Understanding a worldview centered on covenant relationship between God and His people helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of worship and praise, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?
How does the worship and praise theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?