Psalms 44:22

KJV

Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yea, for thy sake are we killed {H2026}{H8795)} all the day {H3117} long; we are counted {H2803}{H8738)} as sheep {H6629} for the slaughter {H2878}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For your sake we are put to death all day long, we are considered sheep to be slaughtered.

Berean Standard Bible

Yet for Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

American Standard Version

Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 44:22 presents a profound and agonizing communal lament, where the people of God declare that their relentless suffering and constant peril—likened to sheep destined for slaughter—are not a consequence of their unfaithfulness, but rather endured "for thy sake," meaning for the sake of their covenant loyalty and allegiance to God. This verse articulates a perplexing paradox of righteous suffering, challenging conventional understandings of divine justice and prompting a desperate plea for God's intervention in the face of seemingly inexplicable distress.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 44 is a communal lament, a genre of psalm characterized by a cry of distress from a group, often the nation of Israel. The psalm opens with a powerful recollection of God's past mighty acts of deliverance, emphasizing that Israel's victories were achieved not by their own strength but by divine intervention ([Psalms 44:1-8](/psalms/44-1 "Psalms 44:1-8 - God's Past Deliverances")). This sets up a stark contrast with the present reality, where the psalmist describes a humiliating defeat and a profound sense of divine abandonment ([Psalms 44:9-16](/psalms/44-9 "Psalms 44:9-16 - Present Humiliation and Defeat")). Crucially, immediately preceding verse 22, the psalmist emphatically asserts the community's unwavering faithfulness to God and His covenant, denying any apostasy or forgetfulness of His name ([Psalms 44:17-21](/psalms/44-17 "Psalms 44:17-21 - Assertion of Faithfulness")). This assertion makes the suffering described in verse 22 all the more perplexing and poignant, as it is portrayed not as punishment for sin, but as a direct consequence of their devotion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical event prompting Psalm 44 is not explicitly stated, it reflects a period of national catastrophe, likely a military defeat, invasion, or even the initial stages of exile, where the people felt disgraced and abandoned by God. In the ancient Near East, a nation's military success was often attributed to the favor of its deity, while defeat implied divine displeasure or abandonment. The psalmist's lament challenges this common understanding by asserting their faithfulness despite their suffering. The imagery of "sheep for the slaughter" was a potent one, evoking the vulnerability of a flock without a shepherd, exposed to predators or destined for sacrifice. This metaphor would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society, highlighting the utter helplessness and impending doom felt by the community. The cultural expectation was that covenant loyalty would bring blessing and protection, making the experience of suffering *because* of that loyalty a profound theological crisis.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. It highlights the **suffering of the righteous**, a recurring theological problem that challenges the simple retribution principle (where suffering is always a direct result of sin). It underscores the theme of **divine hiddenness or perceived abandonment**, as the community feels God has "cast us off" ([Psalms 44:9](/psalms/44-9 "Psalms 44:9 - God Has Cast Us Off")). Despite this, it maintains the theme of **covenant faithfulness**, with the psalmist asserting their unwavering loyalty even in distress ([Psalms 44:17-21](/psalms/44-17 "Psalms 44:17-21 - Covenant Faithfulness")). The verse also encapsulates the **national lament**, where the collective identity and fate of Israel are intertwined with their relationship with God, and their distress is brought before Him as a communal cry for help and vindication ([Psalms 44:23-26](/psalms/44-23 "Psalms 44:23-26 - Plea for Deliverance")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sake (לְמַעַנְךָ, _lema'ankha'_):** This prepositional phrase means "for your sake," "because of you," or "on account of you." It is crucial as it establishes the *causality* of their suffering. Unlike many laments where suffering is attributed to sin, here the suffering is directly linked to their allegiance and loyalty to God. It implies that their identity as God's people, and their adherence to His covenant, is precisely what exposes them to hostility and persecution in a world opposed to divine truth.
* **killed (הֹרַגְנוּ, _horagnu'_):** This is the Niphal perfect form of the verb הָרַג (_harag_), meaning "to kill" or "to slay." The Niphal stem indicates a passive voice, "we are killed." Coupled with "all the day long," it signifies a continuous, pervasive threat of death and extreme peril. It is likely a hyperbole, expressing not necessarily literal death every moment, but a constant state of being exposed to mortal danger, enduring continuous oppression, and living under the shadow of destruction.
* **sheep for the slaughter (צֹאן טִבְחָה, _tso'n tivḥah'_):** The term צֹאן (_tso'n_) refers to "flock" or "sheep," a common and vulnerable animal in ancient Israel. טִבְחָה (_tivḥah_) means "slaughter" or "killing," specifically for consumption or sacrifice. The combined phrase creates a vivid and chilling metaphor of utter helplessness, innocence, and passive victimhood. Like defenseless sheep led to the butcher, the community feels powerless, unable to resist their enemies, and seemingly destined for a violent end, solely because of their identity as God's chosen people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yea, for thy sake":** This opening phrase functions as an emphatic affirmation, setting the stage for the reason behind their suffering. It asserts that their distress is directly attributable to their allegiance to God, not to their own sin or rebellion. This is a bold and challenging declaration, shifting the perceived responsibility for their plight from themselves to their divine relationship.
* **"are we killed all the day long":** This clause describes the continuous, pervasive nature of their suffering. The hyperbole "all the day long" conveys a relentless, unceasing experience of mortal danger, oppression, and humiliation. It paints a picture of a community living under constant threat, where every moment is shadowed by the possibility of destruction, reflecting a profound and sustained period of national distress.
* **"we are counted as sheep for the slaughter":** This powerful simile vividly illustrates the community's sense of vulnerability, helplessness, and impending doom. They perceive themselves as innocent, defenseless victims, passively awaiting a violent end at the hands of their oppressors. The imagery evokes a sense of being utterly at the mercy of their enemies, with no means of escape or self-defense, highlighting the depth of their despair and their desperate need for divine intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 44:22 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message of suffering and lament. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, seen in the phrase "killed all the day long." This exaggeration emphasizes the continuous and overwhelming nature of the peril faced by the community, suggesting a constant, life-threatening oppression rather than literal, hourly death. Another powerful device is **Simile**, specifically "counted as sheep for the slaughter." This comparison draws on the common experience of vulnerable, defenseless sheep being led to their inevitable doom, vividly illustrating the community's sense of helplessness, innocence, and impending destruction at the hands of their enemies. The verse also exhibits **Pathos**, appealing strongly to the reader's emotions by portraying a people suffering unjustly and profoundly. This emotional intensity is further heightened by the **Irony** inherent in the assertion that their suffering is "for thy sake," implying that their faithfulness to God, which should bring blessing and protection, has instead led to their persecution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 44:22 stands as a profound theological challenge, confronting the simplistic notion that suffering is always a direct consequence of sin. By explicitly stating that their distress is "for thy sake," the psalmist introduces the enduring biblical theme of righteous suffering—the perplexing reality that faithfulness to God can, in a fallen world, lead to persecution and hardship. This verse grapples with the problem of evil and the apparent silence or hiddenness of God in the face of His people's agony, prompting a raw and honest lament that questions divine justice while still holding onto covenant loyalty. It foreshadows the experiences of prophets, apostles, and countless believers throughout history who have endured tribulation not for their transgressions, but precisely because of their unwavering commitment to God and His truth. This suffering, though agonizing, is presented as a paradoxical badge of honor, a mark of their distinct identity in a hostile world.

* [Romans 8:36](/romans/8-36 "Romans 8:36 - Paul Quotes Psalms 44:22")
* [Matthew 5:10-12](/matthew/5-10 "Matthew 5:10-12 - Blessed Are the Persecuted")
* [1 Peter 4:12-16](/1_peter/4-12 "1 Peter 4:12-16 - Suffering as a Christian")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 44:22 offers a vital framework for understanding suffering in the life of faith, particularly when it seems inexplicable or undeserved. It validates the honest lament, reminding us that it is permissible, even necessary, to bring our deepest anguish and confusion before God, questioning His perceived absence or silence without abandoning our trust. This verse challenges us to consider that not all hardship is punitive; some suffering is a direct consequence of our allegiance to Christ in a world that often opposes His kingdom. It calls us to profound empathy and solidarity with the persecuted church globally, those who, even today, are literally "killed all the day long" and "counted as sheep for the slaughter" for their faith. Ultimately, while the verse itself is a cry of distress, its presence within the inspired Word and its later re-contextualization by the Apostle Paul transform it into a testament to enduring faith, reminding us that even in the darkest valleys, our identity in God is secure, and our suffering, though real, is not without purpose in His sovereign plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Psalms 44:22 challenge your assumptions about the relationship between faithfulness and suffering?**
* **In what ways might you be experiencing "suffering for God's sake" in your own life, even if not physically persecuted?**
* **How does the psalmist's honest lament encourage you to bring your own difficult questions and emotions to God?**
* **What practical steps can you take to show solidarity with believers who are literally suffering "as sheep for the slaughter" today?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean God causes suffering for His faithful followers?**

Answer: Not directly. The phrase "for thy sake" (לְמַעַנְךָ, _lema'ankha'_) indicates that their suffering is *because of* their allegiance to God, not necessarily *caused* by God as a direct act of punishment or instigation. Rather, it highlights that their identity as God's people in a hostile world makes them targets for opposition and persecution. God allows this suffering, and in His sovereignty, He can use it for His purposes, but the verse primarily attributes the immediate cause of their distress to the actions of their enemies, provoked by their faithfulness. The psalmist is wrestling with why God permits such suffering given their loyalty, not accusing God of directly inflicting it.

**How can a believer find hope in such a despairing verse?**

Answer: While the verse itself is a raw expression of despair, hope emerges when we consider its broader biblical context and its ultimate fulfillment. First, the very act of lamenting to God, even in despair, demonstrates an underlying hope that God hears and can intervene. Second, the Apostle Paul's quotation of this verse in [Romans 8:36](/romans/8-36 "Romans 8:36 - Paul's Assurance in Suffering") transforms its meaning for Christians. Paul uses it not to signify ultimate defeat, but to highlight the intensity of the trials that cannot separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus. He immediately follows it by declaring that "in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" ([Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors")). Thus, for the Christian, this verse acknowledges the reality of suffering for faith, but it is ultimately subsumed by the greater reality of God's unwavering love and ultimate victory through Christ.

**Is the "sheep for the slaughter" imagery unique to this psalm?**

Answer: No, the imagery of "sheep for the slaughter" is a powerful and recurring motif in the Bible, signifying vulnerability, innocence, and being led to sacrifice or destruction. It appears in prophetic literature, such as [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant") describing the Suffering Servant, and in the New Testament, most notably applied to Jesus as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). This recurring imagery emphasizes a profound theological truth about the nature of redemptive suffering and the vulnerability of the righteous in a fallen world.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 44:22 finds its ultimate and most profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential "sheep for the slaughter," the innocent one who was "killed all the day long" in His earthly ministry, facing constant opposition, rejection, and ultimately, crucifixion. His suffering was supremely "for thy sake" (or rather, for *our* sake), not for His own sin, but for the sake of God's righteous purposes and for the redemption of humanity ([Isaiah 53:5-7](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5-7 - Wounded for Our Transgressions")). As the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus willingly went to the cross, a silent and submissive victim, yet His sacrifice was the ultimate act of obedience and love, transforming the imagery of slaughter into the very means of salvation ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by Christ's Precious Blood")). His resurrection then decisively transforms the "slaughter" into triumph, demonstrating that death does not have the final word ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). For believers, this means that while we may indeed suffer "for His sake" in this world, even being "counted as sheep for the slaughter" ([Romans 8:36](/romans/8-36 "Romans 8:36 - Paul's Application of Psalms 44:22")), our suffering is now united with Christ's, participating in His redemptive work and leading to ultimate glory ([Philippians 3:10](/philippians/3-10 "Philippians 3:10 - Sharing in Christ's Sufferings and Resurrection Power")). In Christ, the lament of Psalms 44:22 is not erased, but transcended by the hope of resurrection and the certainty of God's victorious 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

Romans 8:36

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Isaiah 53:7

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Psalms 44:11

Thou hast given us like sheep [appointed] for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen.

John 16:2

They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

John 16:3

And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

John 15:21

But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

1 Corinthians 15:30

And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?