Psalms 44:1-11

1 O God, we have heard it with our own ears. Our ancestors have told us about the miracle you performed in their day, in days long ago.

2 By your power you forced nations [out of the land], but you planted our ancestors [there]. You shattered many groups of people, but you set our ancestors free.

3 It was not with their swords that they took possession of the land. They did not gain victory with their own strength. It was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your presence [that did it], because you were pleased with them.

4 You alone are my king, O God. You won those victories for Jacob.

5 With you we can walk over our enemies. With your name we can trample those who attack us.

6 I do not rely on my bow, and my sword will never save me.

7 But you saved us from our enemies. You put to shame those who hate us.

8 All day long we praise our God. We give thanks to you forever. Selah

9 But now you have rejected and disgraced us. You do not even go along with our armies.

10 You make us retreat from the enemy. Those who hate us rob us at will.

11 You hand us over to be butchered like sheep and scatter us among the nations.

Psalms 44:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

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.