The Meaning of Psalms 44:14 Explained

Psalms 44:14

KJV: Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.

YLT: Thou makest us a simile among nations, A shaking of the head among peoples.

Darby: Thou makest us a byword among the nations, a shaking of the head among the peoples.

ASV: Thou makest us a byword among the nations, A shaking of the head among the peoples.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Thou makest  us a byword  among the heathen,  a shaking  of the head  among the people. 

What does Psalms 44:14 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 It is hardly to be wondered at that God's tender mercies seemed withdrawn from his people!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 44:14 mean?

You make us a byword among the nations a shaking of the head among the peoples
תְּשִׂימֵ֣נוּ מָ֭שָׁל בַּגּוֹיִ֑ם מְנֽוֹד־ רֹ֝֗אשׁ בַּל־ אֻמִּֽים

תְּשִׂימֵ֣נוּ  You  make  us 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular, first person common plural
Root: שׂוּמָה 
Sense: to put, place, set, appoint, make.
מָ֭שָׁל  a  byword 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מָשָׁל  
Sense: proverb, parable.
בַּגּוֹיִ֑ם  among  the  nations 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: גֹּוי 
Sense: nation, people.
מְנֽוֹד־  a  shaking 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מָנׄוד  
Sense: shaking, wagging.
רֹ֝֗אשׁ  of  the  head 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: רֹאשׁ 
Sense: head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning.
אֻמִּֽים  the  peoples 
Parse: Adverb
Root: לְאֹם  
Sense: a people, nation.