Psalm 44:22

Context

The superscription of Psalm 44 describes it as a "Maschil for the sons of Korah." Maschil is a psalm term of uncertain meaning, commonly interpreted as a didactic psalm or a contemplative song. The psalm is a communal lament, sung by the people as a whole, and it generally falls into four parts. It first recalls the deliverance God wrought in the days of the fathers (vv. 1–8), then laments the people's present condition of defeat in war, dispersion, and derision (vv. 9–16). Next it protests that the people have not been unfaithful to the covenant: "yet have we not forgotten thee" (vv. 17–22). Finally it pleads for help: "Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord?" (vv. 23–26).

Verse 22 concludes the protest section: "Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter." It asserts that the people's suffering comes not from their own sin but, on the contrary, from the fact that they belong to God. The date of the psalm's composition is uncertain, and scholars hold a variety of views.

Interpretation

• Reading as a lament: Modern Old Testament scholarship reads this verse as an honest protest against the idea that suffering is necessarily the consequence of sin (retribution theology). Because it lays before God suffering that cannot be explained within the framework of the covenantal blessings and curses of Deuteronomy, it is often compared with the book of Job.
• Paul's reading: In Romans 8:36, Paul quotes this verse in a form close to the Greek Septuagint (an ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament): "As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." The passage declares that nothing can separate believers from the love of Christ, even amid tribulation and persecution. Paul immediately follows with the confession, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us" (Romans 8:37).
• Reading in church tradition: Since the Reformation, Protestant commentators have often read this verse not as limited to a particular event but as describing a condition that God's people may face in any age. In Jewish tradition as well, the verse is known to have been read in connection with martyrdom.

Questions of Application

The verse is not a subject of major controversy among denominations. Nevertheless, several questions have been raised.

• The relationship between Paul's quotation and the original context: The psalm itself ends in unanswered lament, whereas Paul carries the verse toward a confident assurance of victory. Interpreters are therefore divided over whether Paul moves beyond the lament or expresses his assurance while still holding the lament.
• Distinguishing the causes of suffering: The verse speaks of suffering endured because of faithfulness. Some therefore point out that applying it directly to hardships arising from one's own wrongdoing does not fit the context.
• Verse numbering: Because the Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as verse 1, this verse is numbered Psalm 44:23 there. Care is needed when comparing it with the original text or with translations in other languages.

Related Passages

• Psalm 44:23–26
• Romans 8:35–37
• Romans 8:18
• Romans 8:33–34
• Jeremiah 11:19