Psalms 44:14

“Thou makest us a byword among the Heathen, etc.] Among the Papists, as the Jews were among the Gentiles, (<052837>Deuteronomy 28:37 <242409> Jeremiah 24:9); calling them schismatics, heretics, fanatics, and what not? a shaking of the head among the people; by way of indignation, scorn, and contempt; (see <192207>Psalm 22:7 109:25).”

“Thou makest us a byword among heathen - The word rendered “by-word” - משׁל mâshâl - means properly a similitude or parable; then, a sententious saying, and apophthegm; then, a proverb; then, a song or verse, particularly a satirical song, or a song of derision. The idea here is, that they were made a proverb, or were referred to as a striking instance of the divine abandonment, or as something marked to which the nations might and did refer as an example of calamity, judgment, misfortune, failure; a warning to all. See Deuteronomy 28:37. A shaking of the head among the people - An occasion for the shaking of the head, in derision and scorn. Compare the notes at Psalms 22:7. return to 'Top…”

“byword: Deu 28:37; Kg1 9:7; Ch2 7:20; Jer 24:9 shaking: Psa 22:7; Kg2 19:21; Job 16:4; Isa 37:22; Lam 2:15-17 Psalms 44:15”