Thou makest us a byword among heathen - The word rendered “by-word” - משׁל mâshâl - means properly a similitude or parable; then, a sententious saying, and apophthegm; then, a proverb; then, a song or verse, particularly a satirical song, or a song of derision. The idea here is, that they were made a proverb, or were referred to as a striking instance of the divine abandonment, or as something marked to which the nations might and did refer as an example of calamity, judgment, misfortune, failure; a warning to all. See Deuteronomy 28:37.
A shaking of the head among the people - An occasion for the shaking of the head, in derision and scorn. Compare the notes at Psalms 22:7.