Psalms 44:1

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil.

1 [a][b]We have heard it with our ears, O God; our ancestors have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago.

Psalms 44:1 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
1 We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.
English Standard Version (ESV)
1 O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old:
New Living Translation (NLT)
1 O God, we have heard it with our own ears— our ancestors have told us of all you did in their day, in days long ago:
The Message Bible (MSG)
1 We've been hearing about this, God, all our lives. Our fathers told us the stories their fathers told them,
American Standard Version (ASV)
1 We have heard with our ears, O God, Our fathers have told us, What work thou didst in their days, In the days of old.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
1 O God, we have heard it with our own ears. Our ancestors have told us about the miracle you performed in their day, in days long ago.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
1 God, we have heard with our ears- our forefathers have told us- the work You accomplished in their days, in days long ago:
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
1 God, we have heard what you did. Those who came before us have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago.

Psalms 44:1 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 44:1

We have heard with our ears, O God
The church being in distress calls to mind the past favours of God to his people, in order to encourage her faith and hope; and this expression, delivered in such a form, shows the clearness, evidence, and certainty of what was heard; and which was heard not only as a tradition from father to son; but being recorded in the writings of Moses and the prophets, and these things read both in private and in public, were heard with the ear;

our fathers have told us [what] works thou didst in their days, in the
times of old:
such as the signs and wonders in Egypt, the slaying of the firstborn there, and the bringing of the people of Israel from thence with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; which fathers were used to tell in the ears of their sons, and sons' sons; and of which there were memorials continued in future ages, which led children to ask their parents the meaning of them; when they informed them of the wondrous works of Providence done in former times, and by which means they were handed down from age to age: see ( Exodus 10:2 ) ( 12:26 ) ( 13:8 ) .

Psalms 44:1 In-Context

1 We have heard it with our ears, O God; our ancestors have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago.
2 With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our ancestors; you crushed the peoples and made our ancestors flourish.
3 It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.
4 You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob.
5 Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes.

Cross References 3

  • 1. 2 Samuel 7:22; 1 Chronicles 17:20; Jeremiah 26:11
  • 2. S Judges 6:13; Exodus 12:26; Psalms 78:3
  • 3. S Deuteronomy 32:7; S Job 37:23

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. In Hebrew texts 44:1-26 is numbered 44:2-27.
  • [b]. Title: Probably a literary or musical term
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