Psalms 44

1 We've been hearing about this, God, all our lives. Our fathers told us the stories their fathers told them,

2 How single-handedly you weeded out the godless from the fields and planted us, How you sent those people packing but gave us a fresh start.

3 We didn't fight for this land; we didn't work for it - it was a gift! You gave it, smiling as you gave it, delighting as you gave it.

4 You're my King, O God - command victories for Jacob!

5 With your help we'll wipe out our enemies, in your name we'll stomp them to dust.

6 I don't trust in weapons; my sword won't save me -

7 But it's you, you who saved us from the enemy; you made those who hate us lose face.

8 All day we parade God's praise - we thank you by name over and over.

9 But now you've walked off and left us, you've disgraced us and won't fight for us.

10 You made us turn tail and run; those who hate us have cleaned us out.

11 You delivered us as sheep to the butcher, you scattered us to the four winds.

12 You sold your people at a discount - you made nothing on the sale.

13 You made people on the street, urchins, poke fun and call us names.

14 You made us a joke among the godless, a cheap joke among the rabble.

15 Every day I'm up against it, my nose rubbed in my shame -

16 Gossip and ridicule fill the air, people out to get me crowd the street.

17 All this came down on us, and we've done nothing to deserve it.

18 our hearts were never false, our feet never left your path.

19 Do we deserve torture in a den of jackals? or lockup in a black hole?

20 If we had forgotten to pray to our God or made fools of ourselves with store-bought gods,

21 Wouldn't God have figured this out? We can't hide things from him.

22 No, you decided to make us martyrs, lambs assigned for sacrifice each day.

23 Get up, God! Are you going to sleep all day? Wake up! Don't you care what happens to us?

24 Why do you bury your face in the pillow? Why pretend things are just fine with us?

25 And here we are - flat on our faces in the dirt, held down with a boot on our necks.

26 Get up and come to our rescue. If you love us so much, Help 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.