Salmos 44

1 OH Dios, con nuestros oídos hemos oído, nuestros padres nos han contado, La obra que hiciste en sus días, en los tiempos antiguos.

2 Tú con tu mano echaste las gentes, y los plantaste á ellos; Afligiste los pueblos, y los arrojaste.

3 Porque no se apoderaron de la tierra por su espada, Ni su brazo los libró; Sino tu diestra, y tu brazo, y la luz de tu rostro, Porque te complaciste en ellos.

4 Tú, oh Dios, eres mi rey: Manda saludes á Jacob.

5 Por medio de ti sacudiremos á nuestros enemigos: En tu nombre atropellaremos á nuestros adversarios.

6 Porque no confiaré en mi arco, Ni mi espada me salvará.

7 Pues tú nos has guardado de nuestros enemigos, Y has avergonzado á los que nos aborrecían.

8 En Dios nos gloriaremos todo tiempo, Y para siempre loaremos tu nombre. (Selah.)

9 Empero nos has desechado, y nos has hecho avergonzar; Y no sales en nuestros ejércitos.

10 Nos hiciste retroceder del enemigo, Y saqueáron nos para sí los que nos aborrecían.

11 Pusístenos como á ovejas para comida, Y esparcístenos entre las gentes.

12 Has vendido tu pueblo de balde, Y no pujaste en sus precios.

13 Pusístenos por vergüenza á nuestros vecinos, Por escarnio y por burla á los que nos rodean.

14 Pusístenos por proverbio entre las gentes, Por movimiento de cabeza en los pueblos.

15 Cada día mi vergüenza está delante de mí, Y cúbreme la confusión de mi rostro,

16 Por la voz del que me vitupera y deshonra, Por razón del enemigo y del que se venga.

17 Todo esto nos ha venido, y no nos hemos olvidado de ti; Y no hemos faltado á tu pacto.

18 No se ha vuelto atrás nuestro corazón, Ni tampoco se han apartado nuestros pasos de tus caminos.

19 Cuando nos quebrantaste en el lugar de los dragones, Y nos cubriste con sombra de muerte,

20 Si nos hubiésemos olvidado del nombre de nuestro Dios, O alzado nuestras manos á dios ajeno,

21 ¿No demandaría Dios esto? Porque él conoce los secretos del corazón.

22 Empero por tu causa nos matan cada día; Somos tenidos como ovejas para el matadero.

23 Despierta; ¿por qué duermes, Señor? Despierta, no te alejes para siempre.

24 ¿Por qué escondes tu rostro, Y te olvidas de nuestra aflicción, y de la opresión nuestra?

25 Porque nuestra alma está agobiada hasta el polvo: Nuestro vientre está pegado con la tierra.

26 Levántate para ayudarnos, Y redímenos por tu misericordia.

Salmos 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.