The Meaning of Psalms 44:19 Explained

Psalms 44:19

KJV: Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.

YLT: But Thou hast smitten us in a place of dragons, And dost cover us over with death-shade.

Darby: Though thou hast crushed us in the place of jackals, and covered us with the shadow of death.

ASV: That thou hast sore broken us in the place of jackals, And covered us with the shadow of death.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Though thou hast sore broken  us in the place  of dragons,  and covered  us with the shadow of death. 

What does Psalms 44:19 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 It is hardly to be wondered at that God's tender mercies seemed withdrawn from his people!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 44:19 mean?

but You have severely broken us in the place of jackals and covered us with the shadow of death
כִּ֣י דִ֭כִּיתָנוּ בִּמְק֣וֹם תַּנִּ֑ים וַתְּכַ֖ס עָלֵ֣ינוּ בְצַלְמָֽוֶת

דִ֭כִּיתָנוּ  You  have  severely  broken  us 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, second person masculine singular, first person common plural
Root: דָּכָה  
Sense: to crush, be crushed, be contrite, be broken.
בִּמְק֣וֹם  in  the  place 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מָקֹום  
Sense: standing place, place.
תַּנִּ֑ים  of  jackals 
Parse: Noun, common plural
Root: תַּנִּין  
Sense: dragon, serpent, sea monster.
וַתְּכַ֖ס  and  covered 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Consecutive imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: כָּסָה  
Sense: to cover, conceal, hide.
עָלֵ֣ינוּ  us 
Parse: Preposition, first person common plural
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
בְצַלְמָֽוֶת  with  the  shadow  of  death 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular
Root: צַלְמָוֶת  
Sense: death-shadow, deep shadow, deep darkness, shadow of death.