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Psalms 44

World English Bible

WEB

1For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. A contemplative psalm. We have heard with our ears, God; our fathers have told us what work you did in their days, in the days of old. 2You drove out the nations with your hand, but you planted them. You afflicted the peoples, but you spread them abroad. 3For they didn’t get the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them; but your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, because you were favorable to them. 4God, you are my King. Command victories for Jacob! 5Through you, we will push down our adversaries. Through your name, we will tread down those who rise up against us. 6For I will not trust in my bow, neither will my sword save me. 7But you have saved us from our adversaries, and have shamed those who hate us. 8In God we have made our boast all day long. We will give thanks to your name forever. Selah. 9But now you rejected us, and brought us to dishonor, and don’t go out with our armies. 10You make us turn back from the adversary. Those who hate us take plunder for themselves. 11You have made us like sheep for food, and have scattered us among the nations. 12You sell your people for nothing, and have gained nothing from their sale. 13You make us a reproach to our neighbors, a scoffing and a derision to those who are around us. 14You make us a byword among the nations, a shaking of the head among the peoples. 15All day long my dishonor is before me, and shame covers my face, 16at the taunt of one who reproaches and verbally abuses, because of the enemy and the avenger. 17All this has come on us, yet we haven’t forgotten you. We haven’t been false to your covenant. 18Our heart has not turned back, neither have our steps strayed from your path, 19though you have crushed us in the haunt of jackals, and covered us with the shadow of death. 20If we have forgotten the name of our God, or spread out our hands to a strange god, 21won’t God search this out? For he knows the secrets of the heart. 22Yes, for your sake we are killed all day long. We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter. 23Wake up! Why do you sleep, Lord? Arise! Don’t reject us forever. 24Why do you hide your face, and forget our affliction and our oppression? 25For our soul is bowed down to the dust. Our body clings to the earth. 26Rise up to help us. Redeem us for your loving kindness’ sake.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Psalms 44 is a communal lament that reflects the deep anguish and confusion of the Israelites in the face of adversity. The psalmist begins by recalling the mighty acts of God in the past, celebrating how He delivered their ancestors from oppression and granted them victory over their enemies (#deliverance, #victory). This remembrance serves to remind the community of God's faithfulness and power, as they recount the stories of their forefathers who trusted in the Lord and were saved. The psalmist emphasizes that it was not by their own strength or weapons that they triumphed, but solely through God's intervention and favor. This acknowledgment of divine sovereignty is crucial in understanding the relationship between God and His people throughout history.

As the psalm progresses, the tone shifts dramatically as the community expresses their current plight. They feel abandoned by God, facing defeat and humiliation despite their faithfulness. The psalmist cries out, questioning why God has seemingly turned away from them, allowing their enemies to triumph and their own people to suffer (#suffering, #abandonment). This raw expression of despair highlights the struggle of faith in times of trouble, as the psalmist pleads for God to awaken and act on their behalf. The chapter concludes with a heartfelt plea for redemption, emphasizing the need for God's intervention to restore hope and deliverance to His people. The psalm serves as a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, we can bring our struggles before God, trusting in His ultimate plan for salvation.

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Referenced by

  1. Lamentations 5:1v24Both Lamentations 5:1 and Psalm 44:24 express a plea for God to remember the suffering and disgrace of His people, highlighting a theme of seeking divine attention and intervention.

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