Psalms 44

1 God, we have heard what you did. Those who came before us have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago.

2 With your powerful hand you drove out the nations. You settled our people in the land. You crushed the people who were there. And you made our people do well.

3 They didn't win the land with their swords. They didn't gain success with their powerful arms. Your powerful right hand and your mighty arm gave them success. You looked on them with favor. You loved them.

4 You are my King and my God. You give success to the people of Jacob.

5 With your help we push our enemies back. By your power we walk all over them.

6 I don't trust in my bow. My sword doesn't bring me success.

7 But you give us success over our enemies. You put them to shame.

8 All day long we talk about how great God is. We will praise your name forever. "Selah"

9 But now you have turned your back on us and made us low. You don't march out with our armies anymore.

10 You made us turn and run from our enemies. They have taken what belongs to us.

11 You handed us over to be eaten up like sheep. You have scattered us among the nations.

12 You sold your people for very little. You didn't gain anything when you sold them.

13 You have made us something that our neighbors laugh at. Those who live around us make fun of us and tease us.

14 The nations make jokes about us. They shake their heads at us.

15 All day long I am reminded of my shame. My face is covered with it

16 because of those who laugh at me and attack me with their words. They want to get even with me.

17 All of this happened to us, even though we had not forgotten you. We had been true to the covenant you made with us.

18 Our hearts had not turned away from you. Our feet had not wandered from your path.

19 But you crushed us and left us to the wild dogs. You covered us over with deep darkness.

20 We didn't forget our God. We didn't spread out our hands in prayer to a strange god.

21 If we had, God would have discovered it. He knows the secrets of our hearts.

22 But because of you, we face death all day long. We are considered as sheep to be killed.

23 Lord, wake up! Why are you sleeping? Get up! Don't say no to us forever.

24 Why do you turn your face away from us? Why do you forget our pain and troubles?

25 We are brought down to the dust. Our bodies lie flat on the ground.

26 Rise up and help us. Save us because of your faithful love.

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.