Psalms 69:12

"When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them."

Key Reflection

In Psalms 69:12, David's wearing of sackcloth symbolizes his deep penitence and humility before God. By doing so, he became a subject of ridicule to others, highlighting the contrast between his piety and societal disdain for such public displays of grief and repentance.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

They that sit in the gate speak against me -The gates of cities were places of concourse; places where business was transacted; places where courts were frequently held. See the notes atJob 29:7. CompareIsaiah 14:31;Isaiah 28:6;Psalms 9:14. Calvin supposes that as the gates were the places where the judges sat to administer justice, the meaning here is that magistrates, or those who were high in rank and power, joined in the cry of reproach against him.

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