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

PSALMS 44:19KJV
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Psalms 44:19 (KJV)

What does Psalms 44:19 mean?

Psalms 44:19 describes a time when the people of Israel feel deeply crushed and abandoned, as if God has allowed them to be broken in a dangerous, desolate place and left them surrounded by death. The verse uses vivid images to express a sense of overwhelming hardship and despair.

In this psalm, the community is speaking to God, recalling times of severe suffering. The "place of dragons" refers to a wild, threatening wasteland, and "the shadow of death" paints a picture of deep darkness and fear. The verse is part of a larger prayer where the people are struggling to understand why they are suffering despite their faithfulness.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 44:19

  • "dragons" (תַּנִּין, tannin): This word often refers to large, fearsome creatures like sea monsters or serpents, and by extension, it can mean a barren or dangerous wilderness. Here, it emphasizes how lost and threatened the people feel.
  • "death" (צַלְמָוֶת, tsalmavet): This word means deep darkness or the shadow of death, suggesting not just physical danger but also a sense of hopelessness or being close to death itself. It highlights the depth of the people's distress.

Why Psalms 44:19 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that suffering always means personal failure or unfaithfulness; the psalmists are faithful yet still feel abandoned.
  • The strong imagery connects this verse to other biblical passages about wilderness and darkness, helping readers see the emotional and spiritual weight of the people's experience.
  • Understanding the original words for "dragons" and "death" reveals just how intense and frightening the situation felt to those praying this psalm.

Where else these words appear

“broken” Hebrew H1794 · used in 5 verses

  • Psalms 10:10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.
  • Psalms 38:8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.
  • Psalms 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

“death” Hebrew H6757 · used in 17 verses

  • Job 3:5 Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.
  • Job 24:17 For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death.
  • Psalms 107:10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;

“dragons” Hebrew H8577 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 1:21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
  • Psalms 91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
  • Jeremiah 10:22 Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.

“covered” Hebrew H3680 · used in 149 verses

  • Genesis 7:19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.
  • Judges 4:19 And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.
  • Proverbs 24:31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.