Psaume 44

1 Au maître-chantre. Cantique des enfants de Coré.

2 O Dieu! nous avons entendu de nos oreilles, nos pères nous ont raconté l'œuvre que tu as faite en leur temps, aux jours d'autrefois.

3 Par ta main tu as chassé les nations et tu as établi nos pères; tu as brisé les peuples pour leur faire place.

4 Car ce n'est pas par leur épée qu'ils ont conquis le pays, et ce n'est pas leur bras qui les a sauvés; c'est ta droite, et ton bras, et la lumière de ta face, car tu les aimais.

5 C'est toi, ô Dieu! qui es mon Roi; ordonne la délivrance de Jacob.

6 Par toi nous frapperons nos ennemis; par ton nom nous foulerons ceux qui s'élèvent contre nous.

7 Car je ne me confie pas en mon arc; ce n'est pas mon épée qui me sauvera.

8 C'est toi qui nous as sauvés de nos ennemis, et qui as rendu confus ceux qui nous haïssent.

9 C'est en Dieu que nous nous glorifions chaque jour; nous célébrerons ton nom à jamais. Sélah (pause).

10 Cependant tu nous as rejetés et couverts d'opprobre, et tu ne sors plus avec nos armées.

11 Tu nous fais reculer devant l'ennemi, et ceux qui nous haïssent ont pris leur butin.

12 Tu nous livres comme des brebis qu'on mange; tu nous as dispersés parmi les nations.

13 Tu vends ton peuple pour rien, et tu les mets à vil prix.

14 Tu fais de nous l'opprobre de nos voisins, la risée et le jouet de nos alentours.

15 Tu fais de nous la fable des nations; en nous voyant, les peuples hochent la tête.

16 Mon ignominie est toujours devant moi, et la confusion couvre mon visage,

17 A la voix de celui qui insulte et qui outrage, à la vue de l'ennemi et du vindicatif.

18 Tout cela nous est arrivé; et cependant nous ne t'avons pas oublié, nous n'avons pas forfait à ton alliance.

19 Notre cœur ne s'est point retiré en arrière; nos pas ne se sont point écartés de ton sentier,

20 Quand tu nous as foulés parmi les chacals et couverts de l'ombre de la mort.

21 Si nous eussions oublié le nom de notre Dieu, si nous eussions étendu nos mains vers un dieu étranger,

22 Dieu n'en aurait-il pas fait enquête, lui qui connaît les secrets du cœur?

23 Mais, à cause de toi, nous sommes mis à mort tous les jours, et regardés comme des brebis destinées à la boucherie.

24 Lève-toi! Pourquoi dors-tu, Seigneur? Réveille-toi, ne nous rejette pas à toujours!

25 Pourquoi caches-tu ta face? Pourquoi oublies-tu notre misère et notre oppression?

26 Car notre âme est abattue jusque dans la poussière; notre ventre est attaché à la terre.

27 Lève-toi, viens à notre aide, et rachète-nous à cause de ta bonté!

Psaume 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.