Salmos 44

1 Ó Deus, nós ouvimos com os nossos ouvidos, nossos pais nos têm contado os feitos que realizaste em seus dias, nos tempos da antigüidade.

2 Tu expeliste as nações com a tua mão, mas a eles plantaste; afligiste os povos, mas a eles estendes-te largamente.

3 Pois não foi pela sua espada que conquistaram a terra, nem foi o seu braço que os salvou, mas a tua destra e o teu braço, e a luz do teu rosto, porquanto te agradaste deles.

4 Tu és o meu Rei, ó Deus; ordena livramento para Jacó.

5 Por ti derrubamos os nossos adversários; pelo teu nome pisamos os que se levantam contra nós.

6 Pois não confio no meu arco, nem a minha espada me pode salvar.

7 Mas tu nos salvaste dos nossos adversários, e confundiste os que nos odeiam.

8 Em Deus é que nos temos gloriado o dia todo, e sempre louvaremos o teu nome.

9 Mas agora nos rejeitaste e nos humilhaste, e não sais com os nossos exércitos.

10 Fizeste-nos voltar as costas ao inimigo e aqueles que nos odeiam nos despojam � vontade.

11 Entregaste-nos como ovelhas para alimento, e nos espalhaste entre as nações.

12 Vendeste por nada o teu povo, e não lucraste com o seu preço.

13 Puseste-nos por opróbrio aos nossos vizinhos, por escárnio e zombaria �queles que estão � roda de nós.

14 Puseste-nos por provérbio entre as nações, por ludíbrio entre os povos.

15 A minha ignomínia está sempre diante de mim, e a vergonha do meu rosto me cobre,

16 � voz daquele que afronta e blasfema, � vista do inimigo e do vingador.

17 Tudo isto nos sobreveio; todavia não nos esquecemos de ti, nem nos houvemos falsamente contra o teu pacto.

18 O nosso coração não voltou atrás, nem os nossos passos se desviaram das tuas veredas,

19 para nos teres esmagado onde habitam os chacais, e nos teres coberto de trevas profundas.

20 Se nos tivéssemos esquecido do nome do nosso Deus, e estendido as nossas mãos para um deus estranho,

21 porventura Deus não haveria de esquadrinhar isso? pois ele conhece os segredos do coração.

22 Mas por amor de ti somos entregues � morte o dia todo; somos considerados como ovelhas para o matadouro.

23 Desperta! por que dormes, Senhor? Acorda! não nos rejeites para sempre.

24 Por que escondes o teu rosto, e te esqueces da nossa tribulação e da nossa angústia?

25 Pois a nossa alma está abatida até o pó; o nosso corpo pegado ao chão.

26 Levanta-te em nosso auxílio, e resgata-nos por tua benignidade.

Salmos 44 Commentary

Chapter 44

A petition for succour and relief.

Verses 1-8 Former experiences of God's power and goodness are strong supports to faith, and powerful pleas in prayer under present calamities. The many victories Israel obtained, were not by their own strength or merit, but by God's favour and free grace. The less praise this allows us, the more comfort it affords, that we may see all as coming from the favour of God. He fought for Israel, else they had fought in vain. This is applicable to the planting of the Christian church in the world, which was not by any human policy or power. Christ, by his Spirit, went forth conquering and to conquer; and he that planted a church for himself in the world, will support it by the same power and goodness. They trusted and triumphed in and through him. Let him that glories, glory in the Lord. But if they have the comfort of his name, let them give unto him the glory due unto it.

Verses 9-16 The believer must have times of temptation, affliction, and discouragement; the church must have seasons of persecution. At such times the people of God will be ready to fear that he has cast them off, and that his name and truth will be dishonoured. But they should look above the instruments of their trouble, to God, well knowing that their worst enemies have no power against them, but what is permitted from above.

Verses 17-26 In afflictions, we must not seek relief by any sinful compliance; but should continually meditate on the truth, purity, and knowledge of our heart-searching God. Hearts sins and secret sins are known to God, and must be reckoned for. He knows the secret of the heart, therefore judges of the words and actions. While our troubles do not drive us from our duty to God, we should not suffer them to drive us from our comfort in God. Let us take care that prosperity and ease do not render us careless and lukewarm. The church of God cannot be prevailed on by persecution to forget God; the believer's heart does not turn back from God. The Spirit of prophecy had reference to those who suffered unto death, for the testimony of Christ. Observe the ( psalms 44:25-26 ) but the poor sinner's pleas. None that belong to Christ shall be cast off, but every one of them shall be saved, and that for ever. The mercy of God, purchased, promised, and constantly flowing forth, and offered to believers, does away every doubt arising from our sins; while we pray in faith, Redeem us for thy mercies' sake.

Chapter Summary

To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil. It is not certain who was the writer of this psalm, nor when it was written, and to what time it belongs: some have thought it was composed by one of the Babylonish captivity, and that it gives an account of the church and people of God in those times; but what is said in Psalm 44:17 does not seem to agree with Daniel 9:5. It is most likely it was written by David, and to him the Targum ascribes it; though it does not respect his times; since what is said in Psalm 44:9 cannot agree with them; yet he being a prophet might, under a prophetic influence, speak of future times, and represent the church in them. Some are of opinion that he prophetically speaks of the times of the Maccabees and of Antiochus, when the church and people of God suffered much for the true religion, and abode steadfast in it; so Theodoret: but rather the whole may be applied to the times of the New Testament, since Psalm 44:22 is cited by the Apostle Paul, Romans 8:36, and is applied to his times, and as descriptive of the suffering state and condition of the church then; and which seems to be the guide and key for the opening of the whole psalm.