Psalms 44:9-19

9 (43-10) But now thou hast cast us off, and put us to shame: and thou, O God, wilt not go out with our armies.
10 (43-11) Thou hast made us turn our back to our enemies: and they that hated us plundered for themselves.
11 (43-12) Thou hast given us up like sheep to be eaten: thou hast scattered us among the nations.
12 (43-13) Thou hast sold thy people for no price: and there was no reckoning in the exchange of them.
13 (43-14) Thou hast made us a reproach to our neighbours, a scoff and derision to them that are round about us.
14 (43-15) Thou hast made us a byword among the Gentiles: a shaking of the head among the people.
15 (43-16) All the day long my shame is before me: and the confusion of my face hath covered me,
16 (43-17) At the voice of him that reproacheth and detracteth me: at the face of the enemy and persecutor.
17 (43-18) All these things have come upon us, yet we have not forgotten thee: and we have not done wickedly in thy covenant.
18 (43-19) And our heart hath not turned back: neither hast thou turned aside our steps from thy way.
19 (43-20) For thou hast humbled us in the place of affliction: and the shadow of death hath covered us.

Psalms 44:9-19 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.
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