Read Psalms chapter 44 online with LogosAI Bible study tools, highlights, and cross references.
Psalms 44 is part of “Book II: The Exodus Book” (42–72) in the outline of Psalms.
Psalms 44 summary
We are not told either who was the penmen of this psalm or when and upon what occasion it was penned, upon a melancholy occasion, we are sure, not so much to the penman himself (then we could have found occasions enough for it in the history of David and his afflictions), but to the church of God in general; and therefore, if we suppose it penned by David, yet we must attribute it purely to the Spirit of prophecy, and must conclude that the Spirit (whatever he himself had) had in view the captivity of Babylon, or the sufferings of the Jewish church under Antiochus, or rather the afflicted state of the Christian church in its early days (to which Psa 44:22 is applied by the apostle, Rom 8:36), and indeed in all its days on earth, for it is its determined lot that it must enter into the kingdom of heaven through many tribulations. And, if we have any gospel-psalms pointing at the privileges and comforts of Christians, why should we not have one pointing at their trials and exercises? It is a psalm calculated for a day of fasting and humiliation upon occasion of some public calamity, either pressing or threatening. In it the church is taught, I. To own with thankfulness, to the glory of God, the great things God has done for their fathers (Psa 44:1-8). II. To exhibit a memorial of their present calamitous estate (Psa 44:9-16). III. To file a protestation of their integrity and adherence to God notwithstanding (Psa 44:17-22). IV. To lodge a petition at the throne of grace for succour and relief (Psa 44:22-26). In singing this psalm we ought to give God the praise of what he has formerly done for his people, to represent our own grievances, or sympathize with those parts of the church that are in distress, to engage ourselves, whatever happens, to cleave to God and duty, and then cheerfully to wait the event.
To the chief musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
1 For 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.
2 You drove out the nations with your hand, but you planted them. You afflicted the peoples, but you spread them abroad.
3 For 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.
4 God, you are my King. Command victories for Jacob!
5 Through you, we will push down our adversaries. Through your name, we will tread down those who rise up against us.
6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither will my sword save me.
7 But you have saved us from our adversaries, and have shamed those who hate us.
8 In God we have made our boast all day long. We will give thanks to your name forever. Selah.
9 But now you rejected us, and brought us to dishonor, and don’t go out with our armies.
10 You make us turn back from the adversary. Those who hate us take plunder for themselves.
11 You have made us like sheep for food, and have scattered us among the nations.
12 You sell your people for nothing, and have gained nothing from their sale.
13 You make us a reproach to our neighbors, a scoffing and a derision to those who are around us.
14 You make us a byword among the nations, a shaking of the head among the peoples.
15 All day long my dishonor is before me, and shame covers my face,
16 at the taunt of one who reproaches and verbally abuses, because of the enemy and the avenger.
17 All this has come on us, yet we haven’t forgotten you. We haven’t been false to your covenant.
18 Our heart has not turned back, neither have our steps strayed from your path,
19 though you have crushed us in the haunt of jackals, and covered us with the shadow of death.
20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or spread out our hands to a strange god,
21 won’t God search this out? For he knows the secrets of the heart.
22 Yes, for your sake we are killed all day long. We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter.
23 Wake up! Why do you sleep, Lord? Arise! Don’t reject us forever.
24 Why do you hide your face, and forget our affliction and our oppression?
25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust. Our body clings to the earth.
26 Rise up to help us. Redeem us for your loving kindness’ sake.