Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 44:22

"Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." — Psalms 44:22 (ASV)

Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long - This means we are continually or constantly subjected to these calamities. It is not a single defeat, but a continued slaughter.

This verse contains, in the psalmist's understanding, the true cause of the calamities that had come upon the nation. The emphasis in the passage lies in the phrase "for your sake." The meaning is: it is on your account; it is in your cause; it is because we are your friends and because we worship you.

It is not because of our national sins, nor because there is any prevalent idolatry. Instead, it is because we are the worshippers of the true God, and we are, therefore, martyrs. All these calamities have come upon us as a result of our attachment to you.

There is no evidence that there was any self-glorying in this, or any intention to blame God as if he were unjust or severe; rather, it is the feeling of martyrs suffering in the cause of religion.

This passage is applied by the apostle Paul to Christians in his time, as suitably describing their sufferings and the cause of the calamities that came upon them. See the notes at (Romans 8:36).

We are counted as sheep for the slaughter - We are considered like sheep designated for slaughter. That is, it is not because we are guilty, but we are regarded and treated as innocent sheep who are driven to be slaughtered. See the notes at (Romans 8:36).

Their attachment to the true religion—their devotion to Yahweh as the true God—was the secret cause of all the calamities that had come upon them. As a nation, they were his friends, and as such, they were opposed by the worshippers of other gods.