Psalms 89:41
All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֹ֣בְרֵי
All that pass by
H5674
עֹ֣בְרֵי
All that pass by
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
3 of 7
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
דָ֑רֶךְ
the way
H1870
דָ֑רֶךְ
the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
4 of 7
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הָיָ֥ה
H1961
הָיָ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
5 of 7
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Historical Context
After Judah's fall, surrounding nations—Edom, Moab, Ammon—rejoiced at her destruction (Ezekiel 25-26; Obadiah 1:12-13). Former vassals became mockers. The reproach wasn't just political but theological: "Where is your God?" (Psalm 42:3). Israel's defeat seemed to prove YHWH's weakness. This explains the psalmist's urgent plea—God's own reputation is at stake.
Questions for Reflection
- When has following God made you a "reproach" to others? How did you respond to their mockery?
- How does knowing Christ bore ultimate reproach (Hebrews 13:13: "bearing his reproach") enable you to endure scorn for faith?
- What does it mean that Christ removed believers' eternal shame even while we may experience temporary reproach?
Analysis & Commentary
All that pass by the way spoil him (שָׁסוּהוּ כָּל־עֹבְרֵי דָרֶךְ shasu-hu kol-ovrei darek)—shasah means to plunder, pillage, or despoil. The king who should command respect is instead victim to casual passers-by. He is a reproach to his neighbours (חֶרְפָּה לִשְׁכֵנָיו cherpah lishkhenav)—cherpah denotes scorn, disgrace, taunt. Neighbors who should fear now mock.
This humiliation fulfills Deuteronomy 28:37: "Thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations." Lamentations 2:15 describes Jerusalem's mockery: "All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head." The language anticipates Christ, mocked by passers-by at Golgotha: "They that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads" (Matthew 27:39). The Messianic King's path to glory required becoming a reproach. Isaiah 53:3: "He is despised and rejected of men." Only through bearing ultimate cherpah (reproach) could He remove believers' shame (Hebrews 12:2).