Psalm 123:4
New International Version
We have endured no end of ridicule from the arrogant, of contempt from the proud.

New Living Translation
We have had more than our fill of the scoffing of the proud and the contempt of the arrogant.

English Standard Version
Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.

Berean Standard Bible
We have endured much scorn from the arrogant, much contempt from the proud.

King James Bible
Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.

New King James Version
Our soul is exceedingly filled With the scorn of those who are at ease, With the contempt of the proud.

New American Standard Bible
Our soul has had much more than enough Of the scoffing of those who are at ease, And with the contempt of the proud.

NASB 1995
Our soul is greatly filled With the scoffing of those who are at ease, And with the contempt of the proud.

NASB 1977
Our soul is greatly filled With the scoffing of those who are at ease, And with the contempt of the proud.

Legacy Standard Bible
Our soul is greatly saturated With the mockery of those who are at ease, And with the contempt of the proud.

Amplified Bible
Our soul is greatly filled With the scoffing of those who are at ease, And with the contempt of the proud [who disregard God’s law].

Christian Standard Bible
We’ve had more than enough scorn from the arrogant and contempt from the proud.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
We’ve had more than enough scorn from the arrogant and contempt from the proud.

American Standard Version
Our soul is exceedingly filled With the scoffing of those that are at ease, And with the contempt of the proud.

Contemporary English Version
and we can't take more abuse from those proud, conceited people.

English Revised Version
Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
We have suffered more than our share of ridicule from those who are carefree. We have suffered more than our share of contempt from those who are arrogant.

Good News Translation
We have been mocked too long by the rich and scorned by proud oppressors.

International Standard Version
Our lives overflow with scorn from those who live at ease, with contempt from those who are proud.

Majority Standard Bible
We have endured much scorn from the arrogant, much contempt from the proud.

NET Bible
We have had our fill of the taunts of the self-assured, of the contempt of the proud.

New Heart English Bible
Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scoffing of those who are at ease, with the contempt of the proud.

Webster's Bible Translation
Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.

World English Bible
Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scoffing of those who are at ease, with the contempt of the proud.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Our soul has been greatly filled "" With the scorning of the easy ones, "" With the contempt of the arrogant!

Young's Literal Translation
Greatly hath our soul been filled With the scorning of the easy ones, With the contempt of the arrogant!

Smith's Literal Translation
Much was our soul filled with it, a derision of those living at ease the contempt of the proud.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For our soul is greatly filled: we are a reproach to the rich, and contempt to the proud.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For our soul has been greatly filled. We are the disgrace of those who have abundance and the disdain of the arrogant.

New American Bible
Our souls are more than sated with mockery from the insolent, with contempt from the arrogant.

New Revised Standard Version
Our soul has had more than its fill of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Our soul has enough of the scorn of mockers, and enough of the contempt of the proud.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For the multitude has filled our soul with the mockery of mockers and the contempt of the proud.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Our soul is full sated With the scorning of those that are at ease, And with the contempt of the proud oppressors.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Yea, our soul has been exceedingly filled with it: let the reproach be to them that are at ease, and contempt to the proud.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
I Lift Up My Eyes to You
3Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy, for we have endured much contempt. 4We have endured much scorn from the arrogant, much contempt from the proud.

Cross References
Isaiah 51:7
Listen to Me, you who know what is right, you people with My law in your hearts: Do not fear the scorn of men; do not be broken by their insults.

Isaiah 51:23
I will place it in the hands of your tormentors, who told you: ‘Lie down, so we can walk over you,’ so that you made your back like the ground, like a street to be traversed.”

Nehemiah 4:4
Hear us, O God, for we are despised. Turn their scorn back upon their own heads, and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity.

Lamentations 3:30
Let him offer his cheek to the one who would strike him; let him be filled with reproach.

Isaiah 53:3
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

Matthew 5:11-12
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

Luke 6:22-23
Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. / Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For their fathers treated the prophets in the same way.

1 Peter 4:14
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

Hebrews 11:36
Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.

2 Corinthians 12:10
That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

1 Corinthians 4:12-13
We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; / when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

John 15:18-20
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. / Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.

Romans 8:35-37
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? / As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” / No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

2 Corinthians 4:8-10
We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; / persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. / We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.


Treasury of Scripture

Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.

with the scorning

Psalm 73:5-9
They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men…

Psalm 119:51
The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

Job 12:5
He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.

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Arrogant Ascents Contempt David Ease Easy Endured Enough Exceedingly Filled Full Greatly Oppressors Pride Proud Psalm Ridicule Sated Scoffing Scorn Scorning Song Soul
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Arrogant Ascents Contempt David Ease Easy Endured Enough Exceedingly Filled Full Greatly Oppressors Pride Proud Psalm Ridicule Sated Scoffing Scorn Scorning Song Soul
Psalm 123
1. The godly profess their confidence in God
3. And pray to be delivered from contempt














We have endured much scorn from the arrogant
This phrase reflects the experience of the Israelites who often faced derision from surrounding nations. The term "scorn" indicates a deep-seated disdain, which the Israelites endured from those who were self-sufficient and dismissive of God's chosen people. Historically, Israel was surrounded by powerful empires such as Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon, which often looked down on them. This scorn can be seen in the mocking of the Israelites during their captivity and exile. Biblically, this echoes the experiences of figures like Nehemiah, who faced ridicule from Sanballat and Tobiah (Nehemiah 4:1-3). Theologically, this scorn can be seen as a test of faith, where the faithful are called to endure and trust in God's deliverance.

much contempt from the proud
The "contempt" mentioned here is a stronger form of disdain, suggesting a dismissive attitude that the proud have towards those they consider inferior. In the biblical context, the "proud" often refers to those who rely on their own strength and wisdom rather than on God. This is a recurring theme throughout the Psalms and Proverbs, where pride is consistently condemned (Proverbs 16:18). The proud are often contrasted with the humble, who find favor with God (James 4:6). In a prophetic sense, this contempt can be seen as a foreshadowing of the rejection and scorn that Jesus Christ would endure from the religious leaders and the Roman authorities, who were proud in their own understanding and power. This phrase calls believers to remain steadfast in the face of contempt, trusting in God's ultimate justice and vindication.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Psalmist
The author of Psalm 123, traditionally attributed to David, who expresses a communal lament and plea for mercy.

2. The Arrogant
Individuals or groups who display pride and disdain towards others, often seen as oppressors or those in positions of power.

3. The Proud
Similar to the arrogant, these are people who hold themselves in high regard, often looking down on others with contempt.

4. Israel
The nation often represented in the Psalms, experiencing oppression and seeking God's deliverance.

5. The Temple
While not directly mentioned, the context of communal prayer and lament often points to the Temple as a place of seeking God's presence and mercy.
Teaching Points
Endurance in Faith
Believers are called to endure scorn and contempt with patience, trusting in God's ultimate justice and mercy.

Humility vs. Pride
The contrast between the humble and the proud is a central biblical theme, encouraging believers to seek humility and avoid arrogance.

Seeking God's Mercy
In times of distress and oppression, turning to God in prayer and seeking His mercy is a vital response.

Community Lament
The communal aspect of the Psalm reminds us of the importance of supporting one another in prayer and shared burdens.

Hope in God's Justice
Despite enduring scorn, believers can have hope in God's promise to humble the proud and exalt the humble.(4) The scorning.--The Hebrew offers a rare use of the article--probably it should be reproduced by our demonstrative, this scorning. The LXX., however, have, "The scorn for those at ease, and the contempt for the proud," which requires only the substitution of a letter, removes an anomaly in construction, and gives a better sense: "Let our desire be satisfied to the full with the scorn for those at ease, and the same contempt for the proud." Notice how the figure is retained. The oppressors are the masters and mistresses, living in luxury, while the slaves wait. Gesenius quotes Sallust (secundis rebus ferox) in illustration of the wantonness of secure and luxurious power. As we read the verse, we seem to feel

"The whips and scorns of time,

The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely."

Verse 4. - Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease; i.e. the careless and irreligious (camp. Isaiah 32:9, 11; Amos 6:1. And with the contempt of the proud. This clause is exegetical of the last, not additional. Translate, the seining of those that are at ease - the contempt of the proud.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
We
נַ֫פְשֵׁ֥נוּ (nap̄·šê·nū)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

have endured
שָֽׂבְעָה־ (śā·ḇə·‘āh-)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7646: To be sated, satisfied or surfeited

much
רַבַּת֮ (rab·baṯ)
Adjective - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

scorn
הַלַּ֥עַג (hal·la·‘aḡ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3933: A mocking, derision

from the arrogant,
הַשַּׁאֲנַנִּ֑ים (haš·ša·’ă·nan·nîm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7600: Secure, haughty

much contempt
הַ֝בּ֗וּז (hab·būz)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 937: Disrespect

from the proud.
לִגְאֵ֥יוֹנִֽים׃‪‬ (liḡ·’ê·yō·w·nîm)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1349: Haughty


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OT Poetry: Psalm 123:4 Our soul is exceedingly filled (Psalm Ps Psa.)
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