The Meaning of Psalms 44:12 Explained

Psalms 44:12

KJV: Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price.

YLT: Thou sellest Thy people -- without wealth, And hast not become great by their price.

Darby: Thou hast sold thy people for nought, and hast not increased thy wealth by their price;

ASV: Thou sellest thy people for nought, And hast not increased thy wealth by their price.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Thou sellest  thy people  for nought,  and dost not increase  [thy wealth] by their price. 

What does Psalms 44:12 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 It is hardly to be wondered at that God's tender mercies seemed withdrawn from his people!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 44:12 mean?

You sell Your people for [next to] nothing and not are enriched by selling them
תִּמְכֹּֽר־ עַמְּךָ֥ בְלֹא־ ה֑וֹן וְלֹ֥א־ רִ֝בִּ֗יתָ בִּמְחִירֵיהֶֽם

תִּמְכֹּֽר־  You  sell 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: מָכַר  
Sense: to sell.
עַמְּךָ֥  Your  people 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
ה֑וֹן  [next  to]  nothing 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: הֹון  
Sense: wealth, riches, substance.
וְלֹ֥א־  and  not 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
רִ֝בִּ֗יתָ  are  enriched 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: הַרְבָּה 
Sense: be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous.
בִּמְחִירֵיהֶֽם  by  selling  them 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine plural
Root: מְחִיר  
Sense: price, hire.