Psalms 69:11 Meaning and Explanation
“I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →His visible mourning makes him a byword and object of derision.
The Context of Psalms 69:11
Public mourning becomes public mockery as enemies weaponize the psalmist's grief.
What Does Psalms 69:11 Mean?
Sackcloth—the garment of mourning and repentance—becomes his clothing, marking his grief visibly to all. Yet instead of evoking sympathy, this outward sign of his inner state makes him a proverb—a pointed example used to mock or shame others.
To become a proverb means his name and story are referenced in contempt, used as a cautionary or ridiculing example. His genuine sorrow is flipped into a lesson in folly taught by his enemies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 69:11
What does Psalms 69:11 mean?
His visible mourning makes him a byword and object of derision.
What is the context of Psalms 69:11?
Public mourning becomes public mockery as enemies weaponize the psalmist's grief.