Psalm 44:9-16

9 But now you rejected us, and brought us to dishonor, And don't go out with our armies.

10 You make us turn back from the adversary. Those who hate us take spoil for themselves.

11 You have made us like sheep for food, And have scattered us among the nations.

12 You sell your people for nothing, And have gained nothing from their sale.

13 You make us a reproach to our neighbors, A scoffing and a derision to those who are round about us.

14 You make us a byword among the nations, A shaking of the head among the peoples.

15 All day long is my dishonor before me, And shame covers my face,

16 At the taunt of one who reproaches and reviles, Because of the enemy and the avenger.

Psalm 44:9-16 Meaning and Commentary

To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil. It is not certain who was the writer of this psalm, nor when it was written, and to what time it belongs: some have thought it was composed by one of the Babylonish captivity, and that it gives an account of the church and people of God in those times; but what is said in Psalm 44:17 does not seem to agree with Daniel 9:5. It is most likely it was written by David, and to him the Targum ascribes it; though it does not respect his times; since what is said in Psalm 44:9 cannot agree with them; yet he being a prophet might, under a prophetic influence, speak of future times, and represent the church in them. Some are of opinion that he prophetically speaks of the times of the Maccabees and of Antiochus, when the church and people of God suffered much for the true religion, and abode steadfast in it; so Theodoret: but rather the whole may be applied to the times of the New Testament, since Psalm 44:22 is cited by the Apostle Paul, Romans 8:36, and is applied to his times, and as descriptive of the suffering state and condition of the church then; and which seems to be the guide and key for the opening of the whole psalm.