44:1ffThis psalm may have been sung at an occasion like the one in 2 Chronicles 20:18, 19, where the faithful Jehoshaphat was surrounded by enemies and the Levites sang to the LORD before the battle.
Life Application Study BiblePsalmsChapter 44
Psalm 44
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 889, 890, 891
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44Psalm 44
1For the choir director: A psalm* of the descendants of Korah.10 God, we have heard it with our own ears—our ancestors have told us44:TITLE Hebrew maski. This may be a literary or musical term.
of all you did in their day,in days long ago:
2You drove out the pagan nations by your powerand gave all the land to our ancestors.You crushed their enemiesand set our ancestors free.
3They did not conquer the land with their swords;it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory.It was your right hand and strong armand the blinding light from your face that helped them,for you loved them.
4You are my King and my God.You command victories for Israel.*
5Only by your power can we push back our enemies;only in your name can we trample our foes.
6I do not trust in my bow;I do not count on my sword to save me.
7You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies;you disgrace those who hate us.
8O God, we give glory to you all day longand constantly praise your name.
9But now you have tossed us aside in dishonor.You no longer lead our armies to battle.
10You make us retreat from our enemiesand allow those who hate us to plunder our land.
11You have butchered us like sheepand scattered us among the nations.
12You sold your precious people for a pittance,making nothing on the sale.
13You let our neighbors mock us.Weare an object of scorn and derision to those around us.
14You have made us the butt of their jokes;they shake their heads at us in scorn.
15We can’t escape the constant humiliation;shame is written across our faces.
16All we hear are the taunts of our mockers.All we see are our vengeful enemies.
17All this has happened though we have not forgotten you.We have not violated your covenant.
18Our hearts have not deserted you.We have not strayed from your path.
19Yet you have crushed us in the jackal’s desert home.You have covered us with darkness and death.
20If we had forgotten the name of our Godor spread our hands in prayer to foreign gods,
21God would surely have known it,for he knows the secrets of every heart.
22But for your sake we are killed every day;we are being slaughtered like sheep.
23Wake up, O LORD! Why do you sleep?Get up! Do not reject us forever.
24Why do you look the other way?Why do you ignore our suffering and oppression?
25We collapse in the dust,lying face down in the dirt.
26Rise up! Help us! Ransom us because of your unfailing love. Theme: A poem to the king (possibly Solomon) on the occasion of his wedding. While this psalm was written for a historic occasion, it is also seen as a prophecy about Christ and his bride, the church, who will praise him throughout all generations. Author: The sons of Korah (Temple assistants)
Textual footnotes
- referring sometimes to the individual patriarch and sometimes to the nation.
- 44:4 Hebrew for Jacob. The names “Jacob” and “Israel” are often interchanged throughout the
Life Application Notes 6 notes
44:1-3“You drove out the pagan nations” refers to the conquest of Canaan (the Promised Land) described in the book of Joshua. God gave the land to the Israelites; they were supposed to enter and drive out anyone who was wicked and opposed to God. Israel was told to settle the land and to be a witness to the world of God’s power and love. Surrounded by enemies, the psalm writer remembered what God had done for his people and took heart. We can have this same confidence in God when we feel attacked.
44:6,7\n whom or in what do you trust? Only God is trustworthy. He will never let you down.
44:9-22Israel had been defeated despite their faith (44:17) and obedience (44:18) to God. The psalm writer could not understand why God allowed this to happen, but he did not give up hope of discovering the answer (44:17-22). Although he felt his suffering was undeserved, he revealed the real reason for it: He suffered because he was committed to the LORD. Paul quoted the psalm writer's complaint (Romans 8:36) to show that we must always be ready to face death for the cause of Christ. Thus, our suffering may not be a punishment but a battle scar that demonstrates our loyalty.
44:22-26The writer cried out to God to save his people because of his unfailing love. Nothing can separate us from God's love, not even death (Romans 8:36-39). When you fear for your life, ask God for deliverance, and remember that even death cannot separate you from him.
44:23-25The writer's words suggest that he did not believe God had left him. God was still in control, but he seemed to be asleep, and the writer wondered why. In the New Testament, the disciples wondered why Jesus was asleep when they needed his help during a storm (Mark 4:35-41). In both cases, of course, God was ready to help, but he wanted first to build faith in his followers.
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