Psalms 123:4 Meaning and Explanation
“Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The soul is filled with the scorn of the complacent and the pride of the arrogant.
The Context of Psalms 123:4
Persecution comes from the comfortable and the proud, but faith looks beyond them to God's mercy.
What Does Psalms 123:4 Mean?
The two sources of contempt are identified: those at ease (comfortable, unbothered by suffering) and the proud (those who feel superior). Both groups look down on the psalmist. The ease of the scorner makes the sting sharper—these are not those suffering alongside but those who are secure and lash out from their position of comfort.
The word 'scorning' suggests active mockery, not silent judgment. The soul does not just bear contempt in isolation; it feels the sting of words, looks, and dismissal. Yet naming this pain and bringing it to the God who does hear is itself an act of faith—a refusal to accept the scorner's verdict as final.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 123:4
What does Psalms 123:4 mean?
The soul is filled with the scorn of the complacent and the pride of the arrogant.
What is the context of Psalms 123:4?
Persecution comes from the comfortable and the proud, but faith looks beyond them to God's mercy.