Recap: The whole nation is suffering, presumably as a punishment for its sins. However, the Psalmist, who feels innocent, is perplexed by his personal suffering. This particular psalm is unique because it seeks a reason for the nation's disaster that goes beyond their own guilt. The Psalmist finds an answer, declaring: "We are being killed for your sake," which suggests their distress is part of a larger, worldwide battle against God and his chosen King. The New Testament later uses this concept to explain why the Church is persecuted, asserting that it ultimately will be victorious.
Recap: Unlike the previous verses (see 1–3 and 4–8) where the Lord fought for Israel, here the Lord is fighting for the enemies of Israel. Though not explicitly stated, the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy clearly show that the root problem was covenant disobedience and its consequences. The terrible consequences included not just military defeat, but also exile, slavery, and humiliation.
| 44:9 | But You have cast us off and put us to shame, | |
| And You do not go out with our armies. |
The Psalmist does not hide the defeat and shame. He also realizes that the Lord is not going with their army. Shame is a result of defeat, especially before Gentile enemies. Furthermore, he acknowledges the sovereignty of God in this defeat.
| 44:10 | You make us turn back from the enemy, | |
| And those who hate us have taken spoil for themselves. |
The defeat is augmented by escape from the battlefield and the subsequent plunder by the enemies of God. This resulted in a great loss of life and property. In those days, the spoils included women and children. The pain and shame must have been unbearable. However, the Psalmist does not abandon God. Instead, he is pouring out his heart to God.
| 44:11 | You have given us up like sheep intended for food, | |
| And have scattered us among the nations. |
The sheep is a common domestic animal used for food and, therefore, does not have much value. The people of God seem to have no value, like sheep slaughtered for food. The suffering is intensified by deportation to different parts of the world: they were uprooted from their homeland.
| 44:12 | You sell Your people for next to nothing, | |
| And are not enriched by selling them. |
Slavery was common in those days, and the victorious army would often sell the defeated people. As the huge number of Israelite's were sold into slavery, their value was diminished, meaning those who sold them did not make much profit. This situation inflicted great shame and demonstrated the low worth the Jewish people held in the eyes of their enemies.