Psalms 31:11 Meaning and Explanation
“I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The psalmist has become an object of shame and fear to those around him, including his own community.
The Context of Psalms 31:11
Describing the isolation and shame that the speaker's suffering has brought upon him in his community.
What Does Psalms 31:11 Mean?
To be a reproach means to be an object of scorn and shame. The speaker's suffering has made him contemptible in the eyes of others, particularly his enemies who use his distress as evidence against him. More painfully, even his neighbors and acquaintances—those who should offer support—have turned away. The isolation is total and humiliating; the speaker is not simply enduring suffering but suffering publicly and being judged for it.
The final image—that people flee from him when they see him—conveys the extreme nature of his isolation. Perhaps his appearance reflects his suffering, or his reputation has been so damaged that association with him is feared. Whatever the cause, the result is that the speaker finds himself alone in his darkest hour. This verse expresses one of suffering's most painful dimensions: not just the pain itself but the loss of human connection and dignity that often accompanies it.
Psalms 31:11 in the Original Language
cherpah (חֶרְפָּה), 'reproach' — shame, scorn, or disgrace; often refers to being mocked or brought into contempt.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 31:11
What does Psalms 31:11 mean?
The psalmist has become an object of shame and fear to those around him, including his own community.
What is the context of Psalms 31:11?
Describing the isolation and shame that the speaker's suffering has brought upon him in his community.