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t's a strange phrase, "killed
all day long" (Psalm 44:22).
According to this psalm, obviously the Jews felt like they were
oppressed and persecuted because of their association with Jehovah. Paul picked up on this same theme in Romans
8:36 where he quotes from this passage and uses it to encourage all believers
to suffer willingly for Christ's sake, knowing that in the end, we will
overcome through His love (Romans 8:35-37).
This is not an uncommon sentiment, but it does feel a little
strange to read it in the Bible. Psalm
44:8-9, "In God we boast all the day long, and praise Your name
for ever. Selah. But You have cast off, and put us to shame;
and go not forth with our armies." The
tone is almost blatantly accusatory against God. In fact, the theme is reminiscent of Job's
puzzlement when he resorted to extolling his own innocence and questioning
God's methods. Likewise, this psalmist
was apparently confused as he considered what he viewed as his people's
fidelity to God and how incongruent it was for them be forsaken.
Indeed, God's ways are not comparable to ours. And, according to Hebrews 11:36-39, there
have been some of God's children who through faith ended this life at the very
bottom... at least, if we evaluate their end from a human standpoint (see Luke
16:20-22 & 25). Whatever the case, let's always declare humbly that God is
good all the time. Even if we don’t
always feel His goodness, He is good.
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