In Romans 8:36 Paul is quoting from Psalm 44:22. In this Psalm, set against the backdrop of God’s election of Israel (Psalm 44:1–9), the psalmist complains about the destruction of land and its people by enemies (Psalm 44:10–18). Yet despite this tragedy, the people continued to confess God (Psalm 44:18–22) and place their trust in him through prayer (Psalm 44:22–26). As such, the psalm in its entirety is applicable to the conclusion of Romans 8:1–39. Yet, as he so often does, Paul refers to the entire passage of Scripture by only quoting a small portion thereof. His readers knew the Scriptures by remembering what had been read to them. This brief quotation from Psalm 44:22, for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered,
is enough to confirm to the readers that God’s people on earth have never been exempted from constant attacks and suffering. Because they may know themselves to be God’s children, their daily earthly suffering is also considered part of the evil resistance against those whom he loves.1
36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”