Psalms 44:14
Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.
Original Language Analysis
תְּשִׂימֵ֣נוּ
Thou makest
H7760
תְּשִׂימֵ֣נוּ
Thou makest
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
1 of 6
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
מָ֭שָׁל
us a byword
H4912
מָ֭שָׁל
us a byword
Strong's:
H4912
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse)
בַּגּוֹיִ֑ם
among the heathen
H1471
בַּגּוֹיִ֑ם
among the heathen
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
3 of 6
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
Cross References
Jeremiah 24:9And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.Job 16:4I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.2 Kings 19:21This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.
Historical Context
Deuteronomy 28:37 warned that covenant unfaithfulness would result in becoming a 'byword among all nations.' The psalmist may be experiencing this covenant curse while questioning whether it's deserved.
Questions for Reflection
- What is worse: suffering itself or becoming an object lesson in failure to others?
- How should believers respond when their faith makes them targets of derision?
Analysis & Commentary
Israel becomes 'a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.' A 'byword' (mashal) means their name becomes a proverb of misfortune--when people want to describe disaster, they say 'like Israel.' The head-shaking gesture expresses contempt and ridicule. Their fall becomes an object lesson in failed faith.