The Meaning of Psalms 44:11 Explained

Psalms 44:11

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

YLT: Thou makest us food like sheep, And among nations Thou hast scattered us.

Darby: Thou hast given us over like sheep appointed for meat, and hast scattered us among the nations;

ASV: Thou hast made us like sheep appointed for food, And hast scattered us among the nations.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Psalms 44:11 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 44:9-26 - A Plea For Present Help
In Psalms 44:11 God's people are compared to sheep appointed for meat, which are sold by the shepherd for naught, so worthless are they. Before their savage foes sheep are defenseless and unresisting. Their bitter lot is aggravated by their fear lest the shepherd has forgotten them. The reference in Psalms 44:19 to jackals suggests the further picture of a harried and panting flock. It is hardly to be wondered at that God's tender mercies seemed withdrawn from his people!
But notice how the Apostle Paul uses these words in Romans 8:36. He does not complain of forsakenness, nor appeal for help. On the contrary, he declares that in all these things we are more than conquerors, and that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. This is the lesson of the New Testament-that we conquer when we are defeated; overcome when we are slain; are strongest when we are beaten to the dust; and ascend to the throne only when we fie in the grave where Jesus, our Master, lay! John 12:24; 2 Corinthians 13:3-4. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 44

1  The church, in memory of former favors
7  complains of her present evils
17  professing her integrity,
24  she fervently prays for helpfulness

What do the individual words in Psalms 44:11 mean?

You have given us up like sheep [intended] for food and among the nations have scattered us
תִּ֭תְּנֵנוּ כְּצֹ֣אן מַאֲכָ֑ל וּ֝בַגּוֹיִ֗ם זֵרִיתָֽנוּ

תִּ֭תְּנֵנוּ  You  have  given  us  up 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular, first person common plural
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
כְּצֹ֣אן  like  sheep 
Parse: Preposition-k, Noun, common singular construct
Root: צֹאן  
Sense: small cattle, sheep, sheep and goats, flock, flocks.
מַאֲכָ֑ל  [intended]  for  food 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מַאֲכָל  
Sense: food, fruit, meat.
וּ֝בַגּוֹיִ֗ם  and  among  the  nations 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: גֹּוי 
Sense: nation, people.
זֵרִיתָֽנוּ  have  scattered  us 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, second person masculine singular, first person common plural
Root: זָרָה 
Sense: to scatter, fan, cast away, winnow, disperse, compass, spread, be scattered, be dispersed.