Psalm 31:11

11 Because of all my adversaries I have become ¹a reproach, especially to my ²neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street ³flee from me.

Psalm 31:11 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 31:11

I was a reproach among all mine enemies
This is a common case of the people of God; and though it may be the least of their afflictions, yet it is not grateful to the flesh; and it is as it is made: under divine supports saints rejoice, and take pleasure in reproaches, that they are counted worthy to bear them, and esteem them as great riches; at other times they seize and feed upon their spirits, and are ready to break their hearts;

but especially among my neighbours;
who knew him, and knew he did not deserve to be so treated; and who ought, as neighbours, to have loved him, and done all good offices to him; so that this is an aggravation both of their sin and his distress;

and a fear to mine acquaintance;
not that they were afraid that he should do them any mischief; but they were afraid to own him, and to do him any service; unless the sense is, that they were afraid that evil would befall him, that he should not escape with his life; which, though it may express the affectionate concern of his friends, yet shows the danger he was exposed to;

they that did see me without fled from me;
as if he had something very pestilential and infectious about him.

Psalm 31:11 In-Context

9 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also.

10 For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away.

11 Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach, especially to my neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me.

12 I have been forgotten like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.

13 For I hear the whispering of many—terror on every side! — as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.

Cross References

• 1. 31:11 [Ps. 41:7, 8; Isa. 53:3]
• 2. 31:11 See Job 19:13, 14
• 3. 31:11 [Matt. 26:56; Mark 14:50]