Psalms 44:3-13

3 For they did not make the land theirs by their swords, and it was not their arms which kept them safe; but your right hand, and your arm, and the light of your face, because you had pleasure in them.

4 You are my King and my God; ordering salvation for Jacob.

5 Through you will we overcome our haters; by your name will they be crushed under our feet who are violent against us.

6 I will not put faith in my bow, my sword will not be my salvation.

7 But it is you who have been our saviour from those who were against us, and have put to shame those who had hate for us.

8 Our pride is in God at all times, to his name we give praise for ever. (Selah.)

9 But now you have sent us away from you, and put us to shame; you do not go out with our armies.

10 Because of this we are turned back by the attacker: those who have hate for us take our goods for themselves.

11 You have made us like sheep which are taken for meat; we are put to flight among the nations.

12 You let your people go for nothing; your wealth is not increased by their price.

13 You have made us to be looked down on by our neighbours, we are laughed at and shamed by those who are round about us.

Psalms 44:3-13 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.