Scorn And Contempt - Psalm 119:22

“Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies.” - Psalm 119:22

Is it not the desire of most that we be highly esteemed by those around us? It is, and this is no sinful desire, at least not always. The one who says he cares nothing for his reputation is not wise, for In Solomon's wisdom we are told that a good name is far better than riches, and being favored is better than gold and silver. Even in the life of Joseph we are told that he received favor from Pharaoh, and in this Joseph was relieved of the garb of slavery and was given a place of majesty. 

Here, however, we see the struggles of being scorned and disdained. We are occasioned with the plight of libel and the grievous offense of slander. The child’s rhyme says that “words may never hurt me” but this is simply not the case. For those with a tender heart and an innocent and unsuspecting spirit these hurls of criticisms are painful. False accusations against character or actions cause great distress and it feels as though the words of contempt lay directly upon the chest. 

In fact, that is what David says here; “take away” is better rendered “roll off me” the crushing scorn and contempt I have received from my kinsmen. And so, David does not go to the courts, nor does he gossip and slander in return. No, he goes to the Lord. He pleads with the highest court, with the just and righteous God of all earth and asks that the contempt and subsequent pain thereof be taken away. 

Notice however, David's plea of innocence, “for I have kept your testimonies.” The scorn he receives is not deserved, it is not owed him for any sins committed. He has kept the commands of God and has continued doing well despite the difficult circumstance the Lord has placed him in. See what instruction we are given from our Lord’s brother, saying, that “the testing of our faith produces endurance,”[1] and endurance results in maturity and completeness. Since this is the case we can be sure that in the day of trial, our reproach will be removed, our integrity will remain, the Lord will be glorified, and after all is said and done it will end well for us.

We would be remiss, however, if we neglect to see the great parallel here. David was a foreshadowing of our great Savior, Jesus Christ, and in this we see the gospel. The scorn and contempt that we rightly deserved was laid upon Christ. He was oppressed and afflicted, and yet he entrusted himself to the Father to restore him. Jesus, although he kept the testimonies of the Lord, was numbered with the transgressors and bore sins that were not his own. However, just as David desired to be relieved, we know that after Jesus endured the wrath of God on behalf of his chosen people, he was vindicated and was high and lifted up, and highly exalted to the right hand of the Father. 

Here, David gives us a taste of the Servant who was to come, and now has come. We, being his people will be scorned as he was, and yet we can plead with God omnipotent and rest, as we are strengthened by the Spirit of our God to endure all hardships by faith in his commands.

[1] James 1:3