Psalms 44:22-23

44:22 Yet because of you ¹  we are killed all day long;

we are treated like ²  sheep at the slaughtering block. ³ 

44:23 Rouse yourself! Why do you sleep, O Lord?

Wake up! ⁴  Do not reject us forever!

[44:22]  ¹ tn The statement “because of you” (1) may simply indicate that God is the cause of the Israelites’ defeat (see vv. 9-14, where the nation’s situation is attributed directly to God’s activity, and cf. NEB, NRSV), or (2) it may suggest they suffer because of their allegiance to God (see Ps 69:7 and Jer 15:15). In this case one should translate, “for your sake” (cf. NASB, NIV). The citation of this verse in Rom 8:36 follows the LXX (Ps 43:23 LXX), where the Greek term ἕνεκεν (Jeneken; LXX ἕνεκα) may likewise mean “because of” or “for the sake of” (BDAG 334 s.v. ἕνεκα 1).

[44:22]  ² tn Or “regarded as.”

[44:22]  ³ tn Heb “like sheep of slaughtering,” that is, sheep destined for slaughter.

[44:23]  ⁴ sn Wake up! See Ps 35:23.