Sorrow expressed before God can draw ridicule from others, but it ultimately brings transformation.
David laments in Psalm 69 that his sorrow has become a point of ridicule. He declares, “When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them.” (v.11). By wearing sackcloth—a sign of deep humility, repentance, or mourning in ancient Israel—David signals both his personal anguish and his acceptance of God’s refining process. Sackcloth was typically woven from goat’s hair, making it uncomfortable to wear, and it served as a public display of contrition or grief (Esther 4:1). In David’s era (he reigned over Israel from around 1010 BC to 970 BC), it was not uncommon for repentant individuals or entire communities to clothe themselves in rough garments, symbolizing the profound seriousness of their plea to God.
The psalmist feels that his choice to clothe himself in sackcloth causes others to taunt or disparage him, labeling him as a joke or a living proverb of ridicule. This verse paints a picture of David, the illustrious king and military leader, being cast aside as an outcast despite his heartfelt efforts to align with God’s righteousness. His commitment to turning from any wrongdoing and appealing for God’s mercy leads instead to intensified scorn. The geographical context, though not explicitly mentioned here, nevertheless reveals David’s setting in ancient Israel—a covenant land with a strong tradition of worshiping God at designated holy sites such as Jerusalem and other sacred locations.
In the New Testament, Jesus likewise experienced mocking and rejection for His steadfast obedience to God (Matthew 27:27-31). David’s willingness to identify publicly with repentance parallels the sacrificial humility Christ lived out. Perhaps our modern-day application would be to embrace humility, even when it brings misunderstanding or scorn, keeping our hearts open to God’s call.
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Psalms 69:11 meaning
David laments in Psalm 69 that his sorrow has become a point of ridicule. He declares, “When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them.” (v.11). By wearing sackcloth—a sign of deep humility, repentance, or mourning in ancient Israel—David signals both his personal anguish and his acceptance of God’s refining process. Sackcloth was typically woven from goat’s hair, making it uncomfortable to wear, and it served as a public display of contrition or grief (Esther 4:1). In David’s era (he reigned over Israel from around 1010 BC to 970 BC), it was not uncommon for repentant individuals or entire communities to clothe themselves in rough garments, symbolizing the profound seriousness of their plea to God.
The psalmist feels that his choice to clothe himself in sackcloth causes others to taunt or disparage him, labeling him as a joke or a living proverb of ridicule. This verse paints a picture of David, the illustrious king and military leader, being cast aside as an outcast despite his heartfelt efforts to align with God’s righteousness. His commitment to turning from any wrongdoing and appealing for God’s mercy leads instead to intensified scorn. The geographical context, though not explicitly mentioned here, nevertheless reveals David’s setting in ancient Israel—a covenant land with a strong tradition of worshiping God at designated holy sites such as Jerusalem and other sacred locations.
In the New Testament, Jesus likewise experienced mocking and rejection for His steadfast obedience to God (Matthew 27:27-31). David’s willingness to identify publicly with repentance parallels the sacrificial humility Christ lived out. Perhaps our modern-day application would be to embrace humility, even when it brings misunderstanding or scorn, keeping our hearts open to God’s call.