Psalms 44

1 O God, we have heard it with our own ears. Our ancestors have told us about the miracle you performed in their day, in days long ago.

2 By your power you forced nations [out of the land], but you planted our ancestors [there]. You shattered many groups of people, but you set our ancestors free.

3 It was not with their swords that they took possession of the land. They did not gain victory with their own strength. It was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your presence [that did it], because you were pleased with them.

4 You alone are my king, O God. You won those victories for Jacob.

5 With you we can walk over our enemies. With your name we can trample those who attack us.

6 I do not rely on my bow, and my sword will never save me.

7 But you saved us from our enemies. You put to shame those who hate us.

8 All day long we praise our God. We give thanks to you forever. Selah

9 But now you have rejected and disgraced us. You do not even go along with our armies.

10 You make us retreat from the enemy. Those who hate us rob us at will.

11 You hand us over to be butchered like sheep and scatter us among the nations.

12 You sell your people for almost nothing, and at that price you have gained nothing.

13 You made us a disgrace to our neighbors and an object of ridicule and contempt to those around us.

14 You made our [defeat] a proverb among the nations so that people shake their heads at us.

15 All day long my disgrace is in front of me. Shame covers my face

16 because of the words of those who insult and slander us, because of the presence of the enemy and the avenger.

17 Although all of this happened to us, we never forgot you. We never ignored your promise.

18 Our hearts never turned away. Our feet never left your path.

19 Yet, you crushed us in a place for jackals and covered us with the shadow of death.

20 If we forgot the name of our God or stretched out our hands to pray to another god,

21 wouldn't God find out, since he knows the secrets in our hearts?

22 Indeed, we are being killed all day long because of you. We are thought of as sheep to be slaughtered.

23 Wake up! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Awake! Do not reject us forever!

24 Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our suffering and misery?

25 Our souls are bowing in the dust. Our bodies cling to the ground.

26 Arise! Help us! Rescue us because of your mercy!

Psalms 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.