You have given us up as sheep to be devoured; You have scattered us among the nations. You have given us upThis phrase reflects a deep sense of abandonment and divine judgment. The Hebrew root here is "נָתַן" (natan), meaning "to give" or "to deliver." In the context of ancient Israel, this conveys the idea of God allowing His people to fall into the hands of their enemies. Historically, this could relate to periods of exile or defeat, such as the Babylonian captivity, where the Israelites felt forsaken by God due to their disobedience. Theologically, it serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments, yet it also opens the door for repentance and restoration. like sheep
The imagery of sheep is significant throughout the Bible, often symbolizing vulnerability and dependence. Sheep are creatures that require guidance and protection, and without a shepherd, they are prone to danger. This metaphor underscores the Israelites' helplessness without God's protection. In a broader scriptural context, it contrasts with the New Testament portrayal of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep, offering hope and redemption. for devourment
The term "devourment" suggests a complete and utter destruction. The Hebrew word "אָכַל" (akal) means "to eat" or "to consume." This paints a picture of the Israelites being left to the mercy of their enemies, who would consume them as prey. Historically, this could refer to the devastating effects of military conquests and the loss of national identity. Spiritually, it serves as a sobering reminder of the destructive power of sin and the importance of remaining under God's protection. and have scattered us
The scattering of the people is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, often as a result of disobedience. The Hebrew root "פּוּץ" (puts) means "to scatter" or "to disperse." This scattering can be seen in the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles, where the Israelites were removed from their homeland and dispersed among the nations. It signifies a loss of unity and identity, yet it also foreshadows the gathering and restoration promised by God. In a spiritual sense, it calls believers to seek unity in Christ, who gathers His people from all corners of the earth. among the nations
This phrase highlights the dispersion of the Israelites among foreign peoples. The term "nations" (גּוֹיִם, goyim) often refers to Gentile nations, those outside the covenant community of Israel. Historically, this reflects the reality of the Jewish diaspora, living among various cultures and facing the challenge of maintaining their faith and identity. From a theological perspective, it points to God's sovereignty over all nations and His ultimate plan to bring salvation to both Jews and Gentiles through Jesus Christ. This scattering, while a result of judgment, also sets the stage for the spread of the Gospel to all nations. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Sons of KorahThe authors of Psalm 44, a group of Levitical singers and musicians who served in the temple. They are known for their deep and expressive psalms that often reflect on Israel's history and relationship with God. 2. IsraelThe nation of God's chosen people, often facing trials and tribulations due to their disobedience, yet continually seeking God's deliverance and favor. 3. The NationsRefers to the Gentile nations surrounding Israel, often seen as adversaries or instruments of God's judgment against Israel. 4. SheepA metaphor for the people of Israel, indicating vulnerability and dependence on God for protection and guidance. 5. ScatteringRepresents the dispersion of the Israelites among foreign nations, often as a consequence of their disobedience and a theme seen throughout the Old Testament. Teaching Points Understanding Divine DisciplineRecognize that God sometimes allows His people to face trials as a form of discipline, intended to bring them back to Him. The Role of Lament in FaithLamenting before God, as seen in this psalm, is a valid expression of faith, acknowledging both the pain of current circumstances and trust in God's ultimate deliverance. The Importance of CommunityThe scattering of Israel highlights the importance of community and unity among believers, encouraging us to support one another in faith. God's Sovereignty in TrialsEven when we feel scattered or devoured, we must trust in God's sovereignty and His plan for redemption and restoration. Hope in God's PromisesDespite current suffering, believers can hold onto the hope of God's promises for restoration and deliverance, as seen throughout Scripture. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the metaphor of sheep in Psalm 44:11 help us understand our relationship with God and our need for His guidance? 2. In what ways can the scattering of Israel among the nations serve as a warning and a lesson for the modern church? 3. How can we apply the practice of lament, as demonstrated in Psalm 44, to our personal prayer life and communal worship? 4. What are some practical ways we can support and maintain unity within our Christian community, especially during times of trial? 5. How do the themes of divine discipline and hope in restoration in Psalm 44:11 connect with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 28This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, including being scattered among the nations, which connects to the theme of Psalm 44:11. Ezekiel 34God promises to be the shepherd of His people, contrasting the scattering with His future gathering and care for them. Matthew 9:36Jesus sees the crowds as sheep without a shepherd, echoing the vulnerability and need for divine guidance seen in Psalm 44:11. People Jacob, Korah, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Appointed, Eaten, Flight, Hast, Heathen, Makest, Meat, Nations, Scattered, Sheep, SlaughterDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 44:11 4684 sheep
7212 exile Psalm 44:9-12 5290 defeat Psalm 44:9-16 7520 dispersion, the Psalm 44:9-19 5836 disgrace Psalm 44:9-26 5243 byword
6115 blame Library Second Sunday after Easter
Text: First Peter 2, 20-25. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. IISermon at the Opening Services of the General Convention, October 2, 1889
"We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work Thou didst their days, in the times of old."--PSALM xliv. I. Brethren: I shall take it for granted that there is a visible Church; that it was founded by Our Lord Jesus Christ, and has His promise that the gates of hell shall never prevail against it. We believe that ours is a pure branch of the apostolic Church; that it has a threefold ministry; that its two sacraments--Baptism and the Supper of the Lord--are of perpetual …
H.B. Whipple—Five Sermons The Story of God's Mighty Acts
Now, my dear friends, this morning I intend to recall to your minds some of the wondrous things which God has done in the olden time. My aim and object will be to excite your minds to seek after the like; that looking back upon what God has done, you may be induced to look forward with the eye of expectation, hoping that he will again stretch forth his potent hand and his holy arm, and repeat those mighty acts he performed in ancient days. First, I shall speak of the marvellous stories which our …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859 Name Date No.
NAME DATE No. A Abelard, Rev. Peter 1079-1142 544 Adams, Mrs. Sarah (Flower) 1805-1848 222 Addison, Joseph 1672-1719 237, 252, 317 Ainger, Arthur Campbell 1841-1919 483 Alexander, Mrs. Cecil Frances (Humphreys) 1823-1895 87, 138, 156, 159, 179, 268, 283, 349, 358, 525, 553 Alford, Dean Henry 1810-1871 270, 344, 421, 531, 541 Allen, Rev. James 1734-1804 157 Anonymous 37, 173, 197, 209, 257, 284, 347, 355, 356, 377, 398 Armstrong, Bishop John 1813-1856 454 Auber, Miss Harriet 1773-1862 199 cNAME DATE …
Various—The Hymnal of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA Letter xv. To Turribius, Bishop of Asturia , Upon the Errors of the Priscillianists.
To Turribius, Bishop of Asturia [137] , upon the errors of the Priscillianists. Leo, bishop, to Turribius, bishop, greeting. I. Introductory. Your laudable zeal for the truth of the catholic Faith, and the painstaking devotion you expend in the exercise of your pastoral office upon the Lord's flock is proved by your letter, brother, which your deacon has handed to us, in which you have taken care to bring to our knowledge the nature of the disease which has burst forth in your district from the …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Mystery
Of the Woman dwelling in the Wilderness. The woman delivered of a child, when the dragon was overcome, from thenceforth dwelt in the wilderness, by which is figured the state of the Church, liberated from Pagan tyranny, to the time of the seventh trumpet, and the second Advent of Christ, by the type, not of a latent, invisible, but, as it were, an intermediate condition, like that of the lsraelitish Church journeying in the wilderness, from its departure from Egypt, to its entrance into the land …
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of Alexander the Great to the Accession of Herod
The political connection of the Grecian world, and, with it, the conflict with Hellenism, may be said to have connected with the victorious progress of Alexander the Great through the then known world (333 b.c.). [6326] It was not only that his destruction of the Persian empire put an end to the easy and peaceful allegiance which Judæa had owned to it for about two centuries, but that the establishment of such a vast Hellenic empire. as was the aim of Alexander, introduced a new element into …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Epistle Lxvii. To Quiricus, Bishop, &C.
To Quiricus, Bishop, &c. Gregory to Quiricus, Bishop, and the other catholic bishops in Hiberia [183] . Since to charity nothing is afar off, let those who are divided in place be joined by letter. The bearer of these presents, coming to the Church of the blessed Peter, Prince of the apostles, asserted that he had received letters for us from your Fraternity, and had lost them, with other things also, in the city of Jerusalem. In them, as he says, you were desirous of enquiring with regard to priests …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Under the Shepherd's Care.
A NEW YEAR'S ADDRESS. "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."--1 Peter ii. 25. "Ye were as sheep going astray." This is evidently addressed to believers. We were like sheep, blindly, willfully following an unwise leader. Not only were we following ourselves, but we in our turn have led others astray. This is true of all of us: "All we like sheep have gone astray;" all equally foolish, "we have turned every one to his own way." Our first …
J. Hudson Taylor—A Ribband of Blue Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple …
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers Triumph Over Death and the Grave
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. T he Christian soldier may with the greatest propriety, be said to war a good warfare (I Timothy 1:18) . He is engaged in a good cause. He fights under the eye of the Captain of his salvation. Though he be weak in himself, and though his enemies are many and mighty, he may do that which in other soldiers …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Calvin -- Enduring Persecution for Christ
John Calvin was born in 1509, at Noyon, France. He has been called the greatest of Protestant commentators and theologians, and the inspirer of the Puritan exodus. He often preached every day for weeks in succession. He possest two of the greatest elements in successful pulpit oratory, self-reliance and authority. It was said of him, as it was afterward said of Webster, that "every word weighed a pound." His style was simple, direct, and convincing. He made men think. His splendid contributions to …
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Volume I Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 44:11 NIVPsalm 44:11 NLTPsalm 44:11 ESVPsalm 44:11 NASBPsalm 44:11 KJV
Psalm 44:11 Commentaries
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