The authors of Psalm 44 is again the sons of Korah (temple assistants). Its a plea for victory by the battle-weary and defeated. When it seems that God has let you down, don't despair. Instead, remember God's past deliverance and be confident that he will restore you.
Psalm 44:1-3 - "We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers 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 fathers; you crushed the peoples and made our fathers 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."
Driving out the nations refers to the conquest of Canaan described in the book of Joshua. God gave the land to Israel - 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 psalmist remembered what God had done for his people and took heart. We can have this same confidence in God when we feel attacked.
Psalm 44:6,7 - "I do not 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."
In whom or in what do you trust? Only God is trustworthy - He will never let you down.
Psalm 44: 22-26 - "Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. 23-Awake, O 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; redeem us because of your unfailing love."
The writer cried out to God to redeem his people because of his unfailing love. Nothing can separate us from God's love, not even death. When you fear for your life, ask God for deliverance, and remember that even death cannot separate you from him.
The psalmist word's suggest that he did not believe that God had left him in verses 23-25. God was still the Ruler, but he seemed to be asleep, and the psalmist 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 wished first to build faith in his followers.
Psalm 44 / New International Version
ReplyDelete1 We have heard with our ears, O God;
our fathers 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 fathers;
you crushed the peoples
and made our fathers 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 do not 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 My disgrace is before me 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 happened to us,
though we had not forgotten you;
or 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, O 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;
redeem us because of your unfailing love.