Psalms 44

PSALM 44

Psalms 44:1-26 . In a time of great national distress, probably in David's reign, the Psalmist recounts God's gracious dealings in former times, and the confidence they had learned to repose in Him. After a vivid picture of their calamities, he humbly expostulates against God's apparent forgetfulness, reminding Him of their faithfulness and mourning their heavy sorrows.

1-3. This period is that of the settlement of Canaan ( Joshua 24:12 , Judges 6:3 ).
have told--or, "related" (compare Exodus 10:2 ).

2. plantedst them--that is, "our fathers," who are also, from the parallel construction of the last clause, to be regarded as the object of "cast them out," which means--literally, "send" them out, or, "extend them." Heathen and people denote the nations who were driven out to make room for the Israelites.

4. Thou art my King--literally, "he who is my King," sustaining the same covenant relation as to the "fathers."

5. The figure drawn from the habits of the ox.

6-8. God is not only our sole help, but only worthy of praise.

7. put . . . to shame--(compare Psalms 6:10 ), disgraced.

8. thy name--as in Psalms 5:11 .

9. But--contrasting, cast off as abhorrent ( Psalms 43:2 ).
goest not forth--literally, "will not go" ( 2 Samuel 5:23 ). In several consecutive verses the leading verb is future, and the following one past (in Hebrew), thus denoting the causes and effects. Thus ( Psalms 44:10-12 ), when defeated, spoiling follows; when delivered as sheep, dispersion follows, &c.

11. The Babylonian captivity not necessarily meant. There were others (compare 1 Kings 8:46 ).

13, 14. (Compare Deuteronomy 28:37 , Psalms 79:4 ).

15. shame of . . . face--blushes in disgrace.

16. Its cause, the taunts and presence of malignant enemies ( Psalms 8:2 ).

17-19. They had not apostatized totally--were still God's people.

18. declined--turned aside from God's law.

19. sore broken--crushed.
place of dragons--desolate, barren, rocky wilderness ( Psalms 63:10 , Isaiah 13:22 ),
shadow of death--(Compare Psalms 23:4 ).

20, 21. A solemn appeal to God to witness their constancy.
stretched out . . . hands--gesture of worship ( Exodus 9:29 , Psalms 88:9 ).

22. Their protracted sufferings as God's people attests the constancy. Paul ( Romans 8:36 ) uses this to describe Christian steadfastness in persecution.

23-26. This style of addressing God, as indifferent, is frequent ( Psalms 3:7 , 9:19 , 13:1 , &c.). However low their condition, God is appealed to, on the ground, and for the honor, of His mercy.