Psalms44
New International Version
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.
6 I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory;
7 but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame.
8 In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.
9 But now you have rejected and humbled us; you no longer go out with our armies.
10 You made us retreat before the enemy, and our adversaries have plundered us.
11 You gave us up to be devoured like sheep and have scattered us among the nations.
12 You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale.
13 You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around us.
14 You have made us a byword among the nations; the peoples shake their heads at us.
15 I live in disgrace all day long, and my face is covered with shame
16 at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me, because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge.
17 All this came upon us, though we had not forgotten you; we had not been false to your covenant.
18 Our hearts had not turned back; our feet had not strayed from your path.
19 But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals; you covered us over with deep darkness.
20 If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god,
21 would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart?
22 Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.
23 Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever.
24 Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression?
25 We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground.
26 Rise up and help us; rescue us because of your unfailing love.
Study
Psalms 44Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 44. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: A petition for succour and relief..
vv1-8
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.
vv9-16
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.
vv17-26
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 pleas used, verses 25, 26. Not their own merit and righteousness, 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.
Key Words
נָצַח: properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
מַשְׂכִּיל: instructive, i.e. a didactic poem
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
קֹרַח: Korach, the name of two Edomites and three Israelites
אֱלֹהִים: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
שָׁמַע: to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֹזֶן: broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
אָב: father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
סָפַר: properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e. celebrate
פֹּעַל: an act or work (concretely)
Cross References
Psalms 44Paul explicitly quotes this verse to describe the constant suffering and steadfastness of God's people.
Supported by JFB
The military metaphor of pushing down enemies with horns is borrowed from Moses' blessing of Joseph.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Fulfilled covenant curse of becoming a proverb, byword, and reproach among the surrounding nations.
Supported by JFB
God commands fathers to tell their sons of His wondrous works, establishing Israel's oral tradition.
Supported by JFB
Parallel botanical metaphor of God plucking up the Canaanites to plant Israel as a vine.
Supported by John Calvin
Direct realization of the Levitical curse where God makes Israel turn back and flee in fear.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Nearly identical phrasing depicting Israel as a reproach, scorn, and derision to neighboring peoples.
Supported by JFB
God promises to save His people not by bow, sword, battle, or horses, but by Himself.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Poignant parallel cry of abandonment, expostulating with God for casting off His people.
Supported by JFB
Identical Hebrew imagery of the dark, perilous 'shadow of death' in times of extreme affliction.
Supported by JFB
David's battle confession that the Lord saves not with sword and spear.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Sovereign judicial abandonment, where God 'sells' His people into the hands of their enemies.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Stretching out the hands described as the physical gesture of prayer and covenant worship.
Supported by JFB
Ultimate scriptural exposition of God searching out and knowing the deepest secrets of the heart.
Supported by Matthew Henry