Psalms 44:17

KJV

¶ All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.

KJV (with Strong's)

All this is come {H935}{H8804)} upon us; yet have we not forgotten {H7911}{H8804)} thee, neither have we dealt falsely {H8266}{H8765)} in thy covenant {H1285}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Though all this came on us, we did not forget you; we have not been false to your covenant;

Berean Standard Bible

All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten You or betrayed Your covenant.

American Standard Version

All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, Neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 44:17 is a poignant declaration within a communal lament, where the nation of Israel, despite enduring profound suffering, humiliation, and apparent divine abandonment, firmly asserts its unwavering loyalty to God and its steadfast adherence to the covenant. This verse stands as a powerful statement of integrity, challenging the conventional understanding that national distress is solely a consequence of covenant infidelity, and instead presents the perplexing reality of a righteous people suffering without discernible cause.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 44 is a profound communal lament, a prayer from the nation of Israel crying out to God in a time of severe national distress. The psalm opens with a powerful recollection of God's mighty acts of deliverance in the past, emphasizing that it was by divine power, not their own strength, that they achieved victory (e.g., [Psalms 44:1](/psalms/44-1 "Psalms 44:1 - God's Past Deeds") and [Psalms 44:3](/psalms/44-3 "Psalms 44:3 - Not by Their Own Sword")). However, the tone shifts dramatically from [Psalms 44:9](/psalms/44-9 "Psalms 44:9 - God's Apparent Rejection") onward, as the psalmist describes their current humiliating defeat, dispersion, and suffering, feeling as though God has abandoned them. Verse 17 marks a critical and poignant declaration, asserting the nation's unwavering loyalty to God and their adherence to the covenant despite the immense suffering, setting the stage for a desperate plea for divine intervention.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The precise historical setting for Psalm 44 is debated among scholars, with suggestions ranging from the Assyrian or Babylonian exiles to the Maccabean period. Regardless of the specific event, the psalm reflects a period of national catastrophe where Israel suffered military defeat, humiliation, and even persecution for their faith. Culturally, this psalm directly confronts the prevailing Deuteronomic theology, which posited a direct correlation between national obedience to the covenant and blessing, and disobedience leading to curses and suffering (as detailed in [Deuteronomy 28:15ff](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience")). The psalmist's assertion of innocence in [Psalms 44:17](/psalms/44-17 "Psalms 44:17 - Israel's Declaration of Innocence") introduces the complex theme of righteous suffering, where hardship is not necessarily a direct punishment for sin, a concept powerfully explored in the [Book of Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job - Righteous Suffering").

* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several major theological and narrative themes. Firstly, it highlights **unwavering faithfulness amidst suffering**, asserting that despite their severe adversity, the nation has not apostatized or broken faith with God. This introduces the challenging concept of righteous suffering, where the faithful endure hardship not as a consequence of sin, but for reasons unknown or even for their fidelity, as seen in the integrity of [Job](/job/1-22 "Job 1:22 - Job's Integrity"). Secondly, the declaration of **covenant loyalty** ("neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant") is a powerful affirmation of their commitment to the Mosaic Covenant, underscoring the importance of integrity and faithfulness in their relationship with the divine, even when circumstances suggest otherwise. Thirdly, the verse grapples with the **paradox of unexplained suffering**, raising profound questions about God's justice and providence when His loyal people endure hardship without apparent cause. Finally, the phrase "yet have we not forgotten thee" speaks to a **persistent remembrance of God**, signifying a deep, abiding memory and reliance on God, even when His presence feels distant or His favor withdrawn, underscoring the enduring nature of their spiritual connection.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Forgotten (Hebrew, _shakach'_):** This verb means to forget, neglect, or cease to care for. In a covenantal context, "forgetting God" implies a deliberate turning away from His commands, His character, or His past acts of deliverance, leading to apostasy. The psalmist's emphatic denial, "yet have we not forgotten thee," is a powerful assertion of continued remembrance and loyalty, indicating that their suffering is not due to a spiritual amnesia or abandonment of their relationship with Yahweh.
* **Dealt falsely (Hebrew, _shaqar'_):** This verb signifies to lie, to act treacherously, or to deal deceitfully. In the context of a covenant, it means to break faith, to violate the terms of an agreement, or to be disloyal. The psalmist's strong denial of having "dealt falsely" emphasizes their claim of innocence regarding covenant violations, directly challenging the assumption that their suffering is a divine punishment for infidelity.
* **Covenant (Hebrew, _berith'_):** A pivotal concept in the Old Testament, referring to a solemn, binding agreement or treaty between God and His people, establishing mutual obligations and promises. Here, it specifically refers to the Mosaic Covenant, which governed Israel's relationship with God. The assertion of not having dealt falsely in the covenant is a declaration of their adherence to its stipulations, despite the dire circumstances that would typically suggest otherwise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All this is come upon us;":** This opening clause serves as a stark acknowledgment of the overwhelming and devastating suffering the nation is enduring. "All this" refers to the litany of humiliations, defeats, and persecutions detailed in the preceding verses (Psalms 44:9-16). It conveys a sense of being utterly overwhelmed by calamity, a collective experience of profound distress and apparent divine abandonment.
* **"yet have we not forgotten thee,":** This is the first crucial assertion of innocence and faithfulness. Despite the severity of their plight, the psalmist declares that the nation has not abandoned God, nor has it ceased to acknowledge His existence, His power, or His covenant promises. This is a direct counter to the idea that their suffering is a result of spiritual amnesia or apostasy, affirming their continued remembrance and reliance on Yahweh.
* **"neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.":** This second, equally vital assertion reinforces the first. It is a powerful denial of any breach of the covenant on their part. "Dealing falsely" implies treachery, deceit, or outright violation of the terms of the sacred agreement between God and Israel. By denying this, the psalmist emphatically states that their current suffering is not a just consequence of their own unfaithfulness, thereby presenting a profound theological dilemma regarding God's justice and providence.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 44:17 powerfully employs several literary devices. The entire psalm is a prime example of a **Communal Lament**, a genre of psalm characterized by an appeal to God for help in a time of national distress, often including a description of suffering, a confession of trust, and a petition. Within this verse, there is a strong use of **Antithesis**, contrasting the dire circumstances ("All this is come upon us") with the steadfast loyalty of the people ("yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant"). This creates a tension between observed reality and declared fidelity. The verse also functions as a powerful **Assertion** or **Affirmation** of innocence, directly challenging the common theological assumption that suffering is always a direct result of sin. This implicitly raises a **Rhetorical Question** about the nature of divine justice and why a faithful people would suffer so profoundly. The psalmist's bold declaration, despite the overwhelming evidence of divine displeasure, also contains an element of **Situational Irony**, as their faithfulness is met not with blessing, but with apparent abandonment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 44:17 stands as a profound theological statement, challenging simplistic understandings of divine justice and the relationship between sin and suffering. It introduces the crucial theme of righteous suffering, where the faithful endure hardship not as a direct consequence of their own sin, but for reasons that remain mysterious, or even as a result of their commitment to God. This psalm gives voice to the experience of feeling abandoned by God while simultaneously maintaining unwavering loyalty, a paradox that resonates throughout biblical narrative and human experience. It underscores that God's ways are often beyond human comprehension, and that faithfulness is sometimes tested in the crucible of unmerited adversity, prompting a deeper reliance on His character rather than His immediate actions.

* [Job 1:22](/job/1-22 "Job 1:22 - Job's Integrity in Suffering")
* [Romans 8:35-39](/romans/8-35 "Romans 8:35-39 - God's Unfailing Love in Suffering")
* [1 Peter 4:12-16](/1_peter/4-12 "1 Peter 4:12-16 - Suffering for Christ's Name")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 44:17 offers profound encouragement and a framework for understanding suffering for believers today. It teaches that it is permissible and even faithful to express honest lament to God, even when questioning His actions or apparent inaction, while still affirming loyalty. This verse gives voice to the raw human experience of feeling abandoned or misunderstood by God while remaining deeply committed to Him. It challenges us to maintain our integrity and faithfulness to God even when circumstances are grim and seemingly unjust, reminding us that our suffering is not always a direct result of personal sin. While self-examination is vital, this psalm encourages steadfast trust even when divine providence is mysterious, calling us to hold fast to our faith even when understanding eludes us. It ultimately points to a hope that a faithful God will ultimately vindicate His faithful people, even if that vindication is not immediate or in the way we expect.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Psalms 44:17 challenge your assumptions about the relationship between suffering and sin?**
* **In what ways can you relate to the psalmist's declaration of faithfulness despite profound adversity?**
* **How might this verse encourage you to express honest lament to God while still maintaining trust?**
* **What does it mean to "not forget God" or "not deal falsely in His covenant" in your daily life, especially during difficult times?**

### FAQ
**Does Psalms 44:17 contradict the Deuteronomic theology that links obedience with blessing and disobedience with curses?**

Answer: Yes, in a sense, it does. While Deuteronomic theology (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")) presents a general principle of cause and effect between national obedience and prosperity, and disobedience and suffering, Psalms 44:17 presents a profound exception or challenge to this direct correlation. The psalmist explicitly states that the nation has *not* forgotten God nor dealt falsely in His covenant, yet they are experiencing severe curses. This highlights the biblical theme of righteous suffering, where faithful individuals or communities endure hardship not as a result of their sin, but for other, often mysterious, reasons. It forces a more nuanced understanding of divine justice and providence, acknowledging that God's ways are not always immediately comprehensible to human logic.

**How can the psalmist claim innocence in Psalms 44:17 when all humanity is sinful?**

Answer: The psalmist's claim of innocence in [Psalms 44:17](/psalms/44-17 "Psalms 44:17 - Israel's Declaration of Innocence") should be understood in a specific covenantal context, not as a claim of absolute sinlessness. The assertion is that they have not committed the *specific* covenant violations (like idolatry or widespread apostasy) that would typically warrant such severe national judgment as described in the curses of the Mosaic covenant (e.g., [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings and Punishments") or [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). They are not claiming moral perfection, but rather a collective faithfulness to their covenant obligations, particularly in contrast to the severity of the suffering they are experiencing. This highlights the perplexing nature of their unmerited suffering and sets the stage for their plea to God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 44:17 finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The psalm's declaration of unmerited suffering by a faithful people resonates deeply with the experience of Christ, the truly righteous one who "committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth" ([1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinlessness")). Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, endured the ultimate "all this" of suffering – rejection, betrayal, and crucifixion – not for His own sin, but for the sins of humanity ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Suffering Servant")). He perfectly embodied the covenant faithfulness that Israel struggled to maintain, never forgetting the Father and never dealing falsely in His divine mission ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Pleases the Father")). His cry from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), echoes the lament of Psalm 44, yet it was precisely through His innocent suffering and unwavering obedience that He established the new covenant in His blood, securing ultimate vindication and deliverance for all who believe ([Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ, Mediator of the New Covenant")). Thus, Christ fully enters into the unmerited suffering expressed in this psalm, transforming it into the means of salvation and demonstrating God's perfect justice and love.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Daniel 9:13

As [it is] written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.

Deuteronomy 8:14

Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

Deuteronomy 6:12

[Then] beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

Psalms 78:7

That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

Psalms 44:20

If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;

Psalms 78:57

But turned back, and dealt unfaithfully like their fathers: they were turned aside like a deceitful bow.

Jeremiah 2:32

Can a maid forget her ornaments, [or] a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.