Psalm 44 17

Psalm 44:17 kjv

All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.

Psalm 44:17 nkjv

All this has come upon us; But we have not forgotten You, Nor have we dealt falsely with Your covenant.

Psalm 44:17 niv

All this came upon us, though we had not forgotten you; we had not been false to your covenant.

Psalm 44:17 esv

All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten you, and we have not been false to your covenant.

Psalm 44:17 nlt

All this has happened though we have not forgotten you.
We have not violated your covenant.

Psalm 44 verses

Psalm 44 17 Meaning

Psalm 44:17 articulates the people's earnest plea and profound assertion of their faithfulness to God despite experiencing severe and prolonged national suffering. It claims that the calamities described previously (defeat, shame, scattering) have come upon them not as a consequence of their forgetting God or breaching His covenant. This verse presents a paradox where seemingly unmerited affliction afflicts a seemingly loyal people, challenging the common understanding of divine retribution and underscoring their unwavering devotion in adversity.

Psalm 44 17 Context

Psalm 44 is a communal lament, reflecting a time of severe national crisis for Israel. The psalmist, speaking on behalf of the nation ("we" in verses 15-26), recalls God's mighty acts in the past (Ps 44:1-8), emphasizing that it was not by their own might but by God's favor that they achieved victories. However, the psalm abruptly shifts to the present calamitous situation (Ps 44:9-16), where God has seemingly abandoned them. They are depicted as defeated, plundered, scattered, and made a scorn and reproach among the nations, treated like sheep led to slaughter.

Verse 17 immediately follows this litany of disaster, offering the crucial, audacious claim that despite "all this," their suffering is not due to their apostasy or covenant-breaking. This challenges the Deuteronomic theology which typically linked national suffering directly to Israel's disobedience. Instead, the psalmist asserts their continued faithfulness, framing the suffering as unmerited. This sets the stage for the desperate plea and urgent appeal for divine intervention that follows in verses 23-26. The historical context for such an unmerited suffering could vary, perhaps the Assyrian invasion, Babylonian exile, or a specific military defeat, but the point is their claim of integrity to God's covenant despite these harsh circumstances.

Psalm 44 17 Word analysis

• All this (כָּל־זֹאת - kol-zōʾt):

  • Word: "Kol" (all, whole) and "zot" (this, these things).
  • Analysis: This phrase serves as a summary reference to the extensive list of misfortunes detailed in verses 9-16: military defeat, being put to shame, treated as sheep for slaughter, scattered among the nations, and made an object of scorn and contempt.
  • Significance: It highlights the comprehensive and overwhelming nature of the suffering experienced by the people, setting the stark contrast for their claim of continued loyalty.

• is come upon us (בָּאַתְנוּ - bāʾatnū):

  • Word: A verb derived from "bo" (to come, to enter), specifically a past tense form (perfect) with a pronominal suffix.
  • Analysis: Implies an external force or event inflicting these hardships upon them. It is something they are experiencing passively, not something they brought upon themselves through active transgression.
  • Significance: Emphasizes the sense of being overwhelmed by circumstances beyond their control, underscoring their belief that their suffering is not of their own making through sin.

• yet have we not forgotten thee (וְלֹא שְׁכַחְנוּךָ - wəlōʾ šəḵaḥnūḵā):

  • Word: "Lo" (not), "shakhakh" (to forget, forsake, abandon), "kha" (you/thee).
  • Analysis: "Shakhakh" (שָׁכַח) in biblical context often means more than a simple memory lapse. It implies a cessation of regard, care, or loyalty. To "forget God" means to abandon Him, cease to obey Him, or turn to other gods. The strong negative "welo" underscores the definitive nature of their assertion.
  • Significance: This is a crucial declaration of their steadfast devotion and continued recognition of God's sovereignty, indicating that despite immense suffering, their faith has not faltered. It denies apostasy as the cause of their affliction.

• neither have we dealt falsely (וְלֹא שִׁקַּרְנוּ - wəlōʾ šiqqarnū):

  • Word: "Lo" (not), "shaqar" (to act falsely, to deal treacherously, to lie).
  • Analysis: "Shaqar" (שָׁקַר) describes actions of deceit, treachery, or breaking a promise/agreement. It denotes active infidelity. The strong double negative "welo" (neither/nor) reinforces their complete innocence regarding covenant betrayal.
  • Significance: This is a direct denial of treachery or unfaithfulness concerning the specifics of their relationship with God. They maintain they have upheld their part of the divine agreement.

• in thy covenant (בִּבְרִיתֶךָ - bibərîtḵā):

  • Word: "Be" (in, with), "berit" (covenant), "kha" (your/thy).
  • Analysis: "Berit" (בְּרִית) is a foundational theological concept in the Old Testament, representing the solemn, binding agreement between God and Israel, initiated by God (e.g., Abrahamic, Mosaic covenants). It involves mutual obligations, promises, and curses/blessings. The Mosaic Covenant, in particular, established their national identity and worship.
  • Significance: Their assertion is that they have not violated the terms of this sacred relationship with God. This directly contradicts the prevailing understanding (e.g., Deuteronomic) that national calamity results from breaking the covenant, deepening the paradox presented in the psalm.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant": This entire phrase is a bold declaration of blamelessness. It signifies a collective act of spiritual and moral integrity despite intense external pressures. This is a vital assertion within the corporate lament, as it argues against the conventional wisdom of their suffering being a direct consequence of their sin. It emphasizes a faithfulness of heart ("not forgotten") and a faithfulness in action ("not dealt falsely"). This distinction highlights both internal loyalty and external adherence to God's stipulations. It posits a scenario where the suffering is unmerited by current sin, thus demanding a different explanation from God or implying a test of their unwavering faith.

Psalm 44 17 Bonus section

The collective "we" throughout Psalm 44 is significant, indicating corporate identity and shared experience. Verse 17 underscores a shared understanding of national integrity, which might stem from a faithful remnant or a sincere corporate confession. This psalm stands as a testament to honest prayer, demonstrating that it is permissible to question God when circumstances seem to contradict His character or promises, even to the point of asserting one's own righteousness in the face of unmerited suffering. It is a powerful example for the believer facing trials, where the pathway to restoration involves not only confession of sin (if applicable) but also confident appeals based on faithfulness and God's own character. Ultimately, the New Testament offers the fullest answer to the dilemma of righteous suffering in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who suffered perfectly, yet was entirely without sin, thus demonstrating God's ultimate plan even through suffering.

Psalm 44 17 Commentary

Psalm 44:17 is the pivot in a national lament, transitioning from the description of profound national suffering to a defiant declaration of faithfulness. The people of Israel, through the psalmist's voice, declare that "all this" immense tribulation – military defeat, shame, being made a spectacle to the nations, and widespread slaughter – has come upon them without their having abandoned God or broken their sacred covenant with Him. This verse strikes a poignant and powerful note because it directly challenges the simple "cause-and-effect" theology often found in the Old Testament, where obedience brings blessing and disobedience brings curses (Deut 28).

The assertion that they "have not forgotten God" implies an unbroken loyalty, devotion, and recognition of His sovereign rule, even in the midst of crushing adversity. To "forget" God in the biblical sense is not merely a lapse of memory but a deliberate turning away, an abandonment of one's relationship and duties to Him. Similarly, to "deal falsely in thy covenant" implies an active betrayal or treacherous violation of the sacred bond and its stipulations, particularly the command to worship Yahweh alone. By denying both spiritual apostasy (forgetting God) and practical disobedience (dealing falsely in the covenant), the psalmist claims an extraordinary and paradoxical situation: God's people are suffering profoundly, not because of their unfaithfulness, but despite their faithfulness.

This declaration of innocence transforms the lament into an earnest plea for divine justice and intervention. It pushes beyond a penitential psalm (where sin is acknowledged) into a righteous lament, where the people ask "Why?" when their current suffering doesn't align with their obedience. It offers a crucial theological insight: not all suffering is a direct consequence of specific current sin. This can prepare the way for understanding vicarious suffering (like Christ's), or suffering as a test of faith, or for reasons beyond human comprehension, ultimately pointing to God's own mysterious dealings with His people.