Psalms 44

Psalm 44

1

For the music leader. A maskil of the Korahites.

1 We have heard it, God, with our own ears; our ancestors told us about it: about the deeds you did in their days, in days long past.

2 You, by your own hand, removed all the nations, but you planted our ancestors. You crushed all the peoples, but you set our ancestors free.

3 No, not by their own swords did they take possession of the land— their own arms didn't save them. No, it was your strong hand, your arm, and the light of your face because you were pleased with them.

4 It's you, God! You who are my king, the one who orders salvation for Jacob.

5 We've pushed our foes away by your help; we've trampled our enemies by your name.

6 No, I won't trust in my bow; my sword won't save me

7 because it's you who saved us from our foes, you who put those who hate us to shame.

8 So we glory in God at all times and give thanks to your name forever. Selah

9 But now you've rejected and humiliated us. You no longer accompany our armies.

10 You make us retreat from the enemy; our adversaries plunder us.

11 You've handed us over like sheep for butchering; you've scattered us among the nations.

12 You've sold your people for nothing, not even bothering to set a decent price.

13 You've made us a joke to all our neighbors; we're mocked and ridiculed by everyone around us.

14 You've made us a bad joke to the nations, something to be laughed at by all peoples.

15 All day long my disgrace confronts me, and shame covers my face

16 because of the voices of those who make fun of me and bad-mouth me, because of the enemy who is out for revenge.

17 All this has come upon us, but we haven't forgotten you or broken your covenant.

18 Our hearts haven't turned away, neither have our steps strayed from your way.

19 But you've crushed us in the place where jackals live, covering us with deepest darkness.

20 If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to some strange deity,

21 wouldn't God have discovered it? After all, God knows every secret of the heart.

22 No, God, it's because of you that we are getting killed every day— it's because of you that we are considered sheep ready for slaughter.

23 Wake up! Why are you sleeping, Lord? Get up! Don't reject us forever!

24 Why are you hiding your face, forgetting our suffering and oppression?

25 Look: we're going down to the dust; our stomachs are flat on the ground!

26 Stand up! Help us! Save us for the sake of your faithful love.

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Perhaps instruction
• [b]. Or the sea monster(s)

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.