Psalms 44:3-13

3 for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm give them victory; but thy right hand, and thy arm, and the light of thy countenance; for thou didst delight in them.
4 Thou art my King and my God, who ordainest victories for Jacob.
5 Through thee we push down our foes; through thy name we tread down our assailants.
6 For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me.
7 But thou hast saved us from our foes, and hast put to confusion those who hate us.
8 In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to thy name for ever. [Selah]
9 Yet thou hast cast us off and abased us, and hast not gone out with our armies.
10 Thou hast made us turn back from the foe; and our enemies have gotten spoil.
11 Thou hast made us like sheep for slaughter, and hast scattered us among the nations.
12 Thou hast sold thy people for a trifle, demanding no high price for them.
13 Thou hast made us the taunt of our neighbors, the derision and scorn of those 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.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.