Psalms 44

1 God, we have heard about you. Our ancestors told us what you did in their days, in days long ago.

2 With your power you forced the nations out of the land and placed our ancestors here. You destroyed those other nations, but you made our ancestors grow strong.

3 It wasn't their swords that took the land. It wasn't their power that gave them victory. But it was your great power and strength. You were with them because you loved them.

4 My God, you are my King. Your commands led Jacob's people to victory.

5 With your help we pushed back our enemies. In your name we trampled those who came against us.

6 I don't trust my bow to help me, and my sword can't save me.

7 You saved us from our foes, and you made our enemies ashamed.

8 We will praise God every day; we will praise your name forever.Selah

9 But you have rejected us and shamed us. You don't march with our armies anymore.

10 You let our enemies push us back, and those who hate us have taken our wealth.

11 You gave us away like sheep to be eaten and have scattered us among the nations.

12 You sold your people for nothing and made no profit on the sale.

13 You made us a joke to our neighbors; those around us laugh and make fun of us.

14 You made us a joke to the other nations; people shake their heads.

15 I am always in disgrace, and I am covered with shame.

16 My enemy is getting even with insults and curses.

17 All these things have happened to us, but we have not forgotten you or failed to keep our agreement with you.

18 Our hearts haven't turned away from you, and we haven't stopped following you.

19 But you crushed us in this place where wild dogs live, and you covered us with deep darkness.

20 If we had forgotten our God or lifted our hands in prayer to foreign gods,

21 God would have known, because he knows what is in our hearts.

22 But for you we are in danger of death all the time. People think we are worth no more than sheep to be killed.

23 Wake up, Lord! Why are you sleeping? Get up! Don't reject us forever.

24 Why do you hide from us? Have you forgotten our pain and troubles?

25 We have been pushed down into the dirt; we are flat on the ground.

26 Get up and help us. Because of your love, save us.

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.