Salmos 44

1 Oh Dios, con nuestros oídos hemos oído, nuestros padres nos han contado la obra que hiciste en sus tiempos, en los tiempos antiguos

2 Tú con tu mano echaste los gentiles, y los plantaste a ellos en su lugar; afligiste los pueblos, y los arrojaste

3 Porque no heredaron la tierra por su espada, ni su brazo los libró; sino tu diestra, y tu brazo, y la luz de tu rostro, porque te complaciste en ellos

4 Tú, oh Dios, eres mi rey: Manda saludes a Jacob

5 Por medio de ti acornearemos a nuestros enemigos; en tu Nombre atropellaremos a nuestros adversarios

6 Porque no confiaré en mi arco, ni mi espada me salvará

7 Porque tú nos has guardado de nuestros enemigos, y has avergonzado a los que nos aborrecían

8 En Dios nos alabamos todo el tiempo, y para siempre loaremos tu Nombre. (Selah.

9 Pero nos has desechado, y nos has hecho avergonzar; y no sales en nuestros ejércitos

10 Nos hiciste retroceder del enemigo, y nos saquearon para sí los que nos aborrecieron

11 Nos pusiste como a ovejas para comida, y nos esparciste entre los gentiles

12 Has vendido tu pueblo de balde, y sin precio

13 Nos pusiste por vergüenza a nuestros vecinos, por escarnio y por burla a los que nos rodean

14 Nos pusiste por proverbio entre los gentiles, por movimiento de cabeza en los pueblos

15 Cada día mi vergüenza está delante de mí, y me cubre la confusión de mi rostro

16 por la voz del que me blasfema y deshonra, por la voz del enemigo y del que se venga

17 Todo esto nos ha venido, y no nos hemos olvidado de ti; y no hemos faltado a tu pacto

18 No se ha vuelto atrás nuestro corazón, ni tampoco se han apartado nuestros pasos de tus caminos

19 Cuando nos quebrantaste en el lugar de los dragones, y nos cubriste con sombra de muerte

20 si nos hubiéramos olvidado del Nombre de nuestro Dios, o alzado nuestras manos a dios ajeno

21 ¿No demandaría Dios esto? Porque él conoce los secretos del corazón

22 Antes por tu causa nos matan cada día; somos tenidos como ovejas para el degolladero

23 Despierta; ¿por qué duermes, Señor? Despierta, no nos deseches para siempre

24 ¿Por qué escondes tu rostro? ¿Olvidaste nuestra aflicción, y la opresión nuestra

25 Porque nuestra alma se ha agobiado hasta el polvo; nuestro vientre está pegado con la tierra

26 Levántate para ayudarnos, y redímenos por tu misericordia

Salmos 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.