Psalms 44:3

3 For it was not by their sword that they took the land; their arm did not bring them victory. It was by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, because You favored them.

Psalms 44:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 44:3

For they got not the land in possession by their own sword,
&c.] There were many things which show that the possession of the land of Canaan was not of the Israelites themselves, but of the Lord; as their passing over into it through Jordan as on dry land; the manner in which Jericho, the first city of it, was taken, and the smiting of the Israelites by the men of Ai;

neither did their own arm save them;
from their enemies, and deliver them into their hands: they were too apt to ascribe things to their own righteousness, merit, and power; but such methods were taken by the Lord as to prevent such attributions to themselves; see ( Deuteronomy 8:16 Deuteronomy 8:17 ) ( 9:3-6 ) ;

but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance;
the mighty power of God, his outstretched arm in their favour, and which arose from his pure good will to them;

because thou hadst a favour unto them;
was well pleased, and took delight in them; chose them to be a special people to himself, above all people on the face of the earth.

Psalms 44:3 In-Context

1 We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us the work You did in their days, in the days of old.

2 With Your hand You drove out the nations and planted our fathers there; You crushed the peoples and cast them out.

3 For it was not by their sword that they took the land; their arm did not bring them victory. It was by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, because You favored them.

4 You are my King, O God, who ordains victories for Jacob.

5 Through You we repel our foes; through Your name we trample our enemies.