Psalms 89:50
Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people;
Original Language Analysis
זְכֹ֣ר
Remember
H2142
זְכֹ֣ר
Remember
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
1 of 9
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
שְׂאֵתִ֥י
how I do bear
H5375
שְׂאֵתִ֥י
how I do bear
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
5 of 9
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 9
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Psalms 74:22Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.Psalms 74:18Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.Psalms 69:9For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.
Historical Context
Surrounding nations—Edom, Moab, Ammon, Babylon—mocked Judah's exile. Psalm 137:7 records Edom's cruelty: "Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof." The reproach was international, carried in the heart of every exile. Yet this scorn drove Israel to deeper dependence on God, purifying faith through suffering.
Questions for Reflection
- When you suffer reproach for faithfulness, do you focus on personal vindication or God's reputation being defended?
- How does Romans 15:3 (Christ bearing reproaches against God) reframe your experience of mockery for faith?
- What does it mean to "bear Christ's reproach" (Hebrews 13:13) while also sharing His ultimate vindication?
Analysis & Commentary
Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants (זְכֹר אֲדֹנָי חֶרְפַּת עֲבָדֶיךָ zekhor adonai cherpat avadekha)—zakhar (remember) again appeals to covenant faithfulness. Cherpah (reproach, scorn, taunt) is what God's people endure. They're not random sufferers but thy servants (avadekha)—covenant people who serve YHWH. How I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people (שְׂאֵתִי בְחֵיקִי כָּל־רַבִּים עַמִּים se'eti vecheqi kol-rabbim ammim)—the psalmist carries (nasa, bear, lift) scorn in his bosom (cheq, lap, heart), internalizing the mockery from many peoples (nations).
The reproach isn't primarily personal but theological: Israel's defeat mocks YHWH's reputation. "Where is your God?" (Psalm 42:3, 10; 79:10). When God's servants suffer, God's glory is at stake. This explains the appeal: "Remember"—not the psalmist's pain but the dishonor to Your name. Christ bore ultimate reproach: "The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me" (Romans 15:3, quoting Psalm 69:9). He internalized humanity's scorn to remove believers' eternal shame. Now believers share Christ's reproach (Hebrews 13:13: "bearing his reproach") but also His vindication.