Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 44:14
Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.
14. the heathen the people ] Render with R.V., the nations the peoples. They point to our fate as a proverbial instance of a people abandoned by its God, and make us the subject of taunting songs: they shake their heads at us in derision. Cp. Deu 28:37; 1Ki 9:7; Jer 24:9; Joe 2:17 (R.V. marg.); Psa 22:7; and generally Lam 2:15 ff.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Thou makest us a byword among heathen – The word rendered by-word – mashal – 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 Deu 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 Psa 22:7.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 14. Thou makest us a byword] We are evidently abandoned by thee, and are become so very miserable in consequence, that we are a proverb among the people: “See the Hebrews! see their misery and wretchedness! see how low the wrath of God has brought down an offending people!” And the worst curse that can be imprecated against a wicked nation is: “Mayest thou become as wretched as the Jews;” or as the old Psalter: “Thou has seet us reprove til our neghburs: scornyng and hethyng til tha that er in our umgang. That es, gref, tourment that es of our neghburs, and that hethyng es noght sone gave or passand, that we suffer of tha, that er al aboute us. When men sais so byfal ye, als byfel him.”
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
A by-word, or a proverb. They used to say proverbially, More despicable or miserable than an Israelite.
A shaking of the head; a gesture of scorn and insultation. See Poole “Psa 22:7“.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Thou makest us a byword among the Heathen,…. Among the Papists, as the Jews were among the Gentiles, De 28:37; calling them schismatics, heretics, fanatics, and what not?
a shaking of the head among the people; by way of indignation, scorn, and contempt; see Ps 22:7.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(14) Shaking of the head.Comp. Psa. 22:7.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 44:14 Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.
Ver. 14. Thou makest us a byword among the heathen ] Who use to say, As base as a Jew, as wretched as an Israelite, &c. The Turks at this day say, Iudaeus sim si fallam, If I be not as good as my word, count me a very Jew. We use to say, As hard hearted as a Jew. Thus is fulfilled that which was threatened Deu 28:37 1Ki 9:7 Jer 24:9 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
byword: Deu 28:37, 1Ki 9:7, 2Ch 7:20, Jer 24:9
shaking: Psa 22:7, 2Ki 19:21, Job 16:4, Isa 37:22, Lam 2:15-17
Reciprocal: Gen 21:9 – mocking Neh 2:19 – they Neh 4:1 – mocked Job 17:6 – a byword Job 30:9 – am I Psa 13:2 – exalted Psa 69:11 – I became Psa 79:4 – become Psa 80:6 – our enemies Jer 18:16 – shall be Jer 33:24 – thus Lam 3:46 – have Eze 14:8 – a sign Eze 22:4 – have I Eze 36:3 – and ye Joe 2:17 – rule over them Zec 8:13 – a curse
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
WHY DO GODS SAINTS SUFFER?
A byword among the heathen.
Psa 44:14
I. The contrast between the Old Testament position and the NewFor Thy sake we are slain (Psa 44:22). Here was the sting. It was in His service, and as His servants, that they suffered; and still He left them to their foes! So they argued according to their light. But we cannot. Two things forbid(a) a deeper revelation of sin, and (b) a clearer knowledge of the Father.
(a) A Deeper Revelation of Sin.Who of us, when afflicted, dares to say there is no sin in him sufficient to account for his trouble? We know something of the bottomless bog of deceit withinhow corruption can pollute our holiest things. Instead of arraigning God, we are taught to suspect ourselves, and cry, Search me, O God!
(b) An Unveiling of the Father.We have seen Him in Jesus, and the last excuse for misjudgment has gone, slain by the Cross. When His ways are dark with seeming cruelty, we can always interpret them by what He is. Indeed, in view of Calvary, this is the very least we should do. We know He is love, that He never relaxes in His care over us, and that He makes no mistakes. Deep shame to us, then, if we ever give room to a single doubt of His perfect love.
II. In spite of unexplained gloom, and of distressing doubts, these Old Testament saints persevered in seeking God (Psa 44:23; Psa 44:26). How much more, then, should we! How unworthy our conduct, if we grow weary of prayer! If they persevered, it is certain we mayand should.
Illustration
In the first paragraph of this Psalm (Psa 44:1-8) we have an exact delineation of the method of the best kind of life. We do not get the land in possession by our own sword. Fighting will not help us, nor wrestling, nor anxiety. There is a sense in which praying will not bring us thither. Nothing but simple faith in the living Saviourin His right hand, His arm, and the light of His countenance. Through Him we push down our adversaries; through His Name we tread under the serried ranks of our foes. Again and again I am asked for the secret of victory. Why do you fail? Surely you have not yet come to an end of yourself, you have not sunk down at the feet of the Son of God in absolute helplessness and dependence, you have not died to your own righteousness that you might receive Gods. This will cause failure, until, like Job, you are stripped of all creature help, and hand over the entire responsibility of making you a victor, and a saint, to Him who loves you. But what a contrast in the closing paragraph (Psa 44:9-26)! Disaster and defeat had followed on each others heels, and all the outlook and prospect of the land had become overcast. How true this is in the history of the soul!