Psalms 44

1 (43-1) <Unto the end, for the sons of Core, to give understanding.> (43-2) We have heard, O God, with our ears: our fathers have declared to us, The work thou hast wrought in their days, and in the days of old.

2 (43-3) Thy hand destroyed the Gentiles, and thou plantedst them: thou didst afflict the people and cast them out.

3 (43-4) For they got not the possession of the land by their own sword: neither did their own arm save them. But thy right hand and thy arm, and the light of thy countenance: because thou wast pleased with them.

4 (43-5) Thou art thyself my king and my God, who commandest the saving of Jacob.

5 (43-6) Through thee we will push down our enemies with the horn: and through thy name we will despise them that rise up against us.

6 (43-7) For I will not trust in my bow: neither shall my sword save me.

7 (43-8) But thou hast saved us from them that afflict us: and hast put them to shame that hate us.

8 (43-9) In God shall we glory all the day long: and in thy name we will give praise for ever.

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.

20 (43-21) If we have forgotten the name of our God, and if we have spread forth our hands to a strange god:

21 (43-22) Shall not God search out these things: for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

22 (43-22) Because for thy sake we are killed all the day long: we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.

23 (43-23) Arise, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, and cast us not off to the end.

24 (43-24) Why turnest thou thy face away? and forgettest our want and our trouble?

25 (43-25) For our soul is humbled down to the dust: our belly cleaveth to the earth.

26 (43-26) Arise, O Lord, help us and redeem us for thy name’s sake.

Psalms 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.