Psalms 44:3

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.

Psalms 44:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 44:3

For they got not the land in possession by their own sword,
&c.] There were many things which show that the possession of the land of Canaan was not of the Israelites themselves, but of the Lord; as their passing over into it through Jordan as on dry land; the manner in which Jericho, the first city of it, was taken, and the smiting of the Israelites by the men of Ai;

neither did their own arm save them;
from their enemies, and deliver them into their hands: they were too apt to ascribe things to their own righteousness, merit, and power; but such methods were taken by the Lord as to prevent such attributions to themselves; see ( Deuteronomy 8:16 Deuteronomy 8:17 ) ( 9:3-6 ) ;

but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance;
the mighty power of God, his outstretched arm in their favour, and which arose from his pure good will to them;

because thou hadst a favour unto them;
was well pleased, and took delight in them; chose them to be a special people to himself, above all people on the face of the earth.

Psalms 44:3 In-Context

1 To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what deeds thou didst perform in their days, in the days of old:

2 thou with thy own hand didst drive out the nations, but them thou didst plant; thou didst afflict the peoples, but them thou didst set free;

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.