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44:title–26 In this corporate lament psalm (meant to be used in a group setting), the psalmist reflects on a defeat in battle. He recounts God’s previous acts of deliverance (vv. 1–3), then expresses trust that God will fight for His people (vv. 4–8). The psalmist addresses God directly as he laments that God seems to have rejected them by allowing the enemy to defeat them (vv. 9–16) when they did not deserve defeat (vv. 17–22). Finally, he asks God to come to their aid (vv. 23–26). No specific historical references appear in the psalm. It may have been written in response to Sennacherib’s attack on Judah (2 Kgs 18:13–19:37), or Josiah’s |
death at the hands of Pharaoh Neco (
Types of Psalms Table
44:title Of the sons of Korah See note on Psa 42:title.
44:1 our ancestors have told us of The psalmist begins by recounting stories of God passed down by his ancestors.
44:2 drove out the nations Refers to God’s work in Israel’s conquest of Canaan (Josh 3:10).
you planted Refers to Israel inhabiting the promised land (Exod 15:17; Amos 9:15).
44:3 not with their sword Israel didn’t conquer the land by the power of Joshua or their armies (Josh 24:12–13), but by God’s power and will.
it was your right hand and your arm The arm of God is a symbol of His strength in judgment as well as salvation (Exod 6:6; Isa 52:10). The right hand, specifically, represents the hand of special blessing according to Hebrew thought (Gen 48:17–20). It also is connected as a metaphor to God’s protection (Ps 119:173) and His powerful acts of salvation (98:1; 109:27; 118:15–16) or creation (95:5; 102:25).
Arm DBI
Hand DBI
the light of your presence The Hebrew phrase used here, or panekha, is similar to portions of the priestly blessing in Num 6:24–26. See note on Ps 4:6.
44:4–8 Moving from the past to the present, the psalmist declares his current trust in God by recognizing that victory over enemies can only be achieved through God’s power (see 20:7 and note). He also points to more recent times of God’s protection from enemies, and boasts in God (see 34:2 and note). |
44:9–16 Though the psalmist trusts in God, he notes that it seems that God has abandoned His people. He declares that God has rejected them and allowed them to be disgraced by their enemies. The psalmist describes the result of God’s rejection: defeat and ridicule. |
44:11 as sheep for food Rather than protect them like a shepherd (see 23:1 and note), God has allowed them to become like sheep ready for slaughter (see Isa 53:7 and note).
Sheep, Shepherd DBI
you have scattered The term zarah (“scatter” or “winnow”) frequently appears in descriptions of Israel’s exile (see Lev 26:33 and note).
44:14 a byword The Hebrew word used here, mashal, refers to a proverb or saying; used in a negative context like this one, it refers to a taunt.
Byword ISBE
44:17–22 The psalmist’s description of their condition in Ps 44:9–16 fits the law’s description of the Israelites’ punishment for disobeying God (Deut 28:15–68, especially Deut 28:25). However, the people here have not disobeyed, forgotten, or broken their covenant with God. They have done nothing to deserve His rejection (Ps 44:20–21), yet God allows them to be defeated by their enemies. The psalmist freely expresses these emotions to God. This shows that whether the psalmist is right or wrong about his interpretation of recent events, he is willing to faithfully tell God what he thinks. |
44:18 our steps have not turned aside from your way The psalmist’s description of the people’s faithfulness resembles Job’s assertions of innocence (Job 23:11–12). Like Job, the people have suffered in their innocence.
44:19 a place of jackals Signifies a ruined or desolate place (Isa 34:13; Jer 9:11).
Jackal BEB
44:22 on account of you we are killed Paul cites this verse in Rom 8:36. There, he applies it to believers’ suffering.
44:23 Wake up The psalmist believes God has somehow rejected His people, so he pleads with God to wake up and come to their defense (compare Psa 121:4).
44:24 Why do you hide your face Job also asked this as he lamented his suffering (Job 13:24).
44:26 redeem us The Hebrew word used here, padah (which can be rendered as “to redeem” or “buy out”), often occurs in the context of ransoming people from trouble (see Deut 7:8; note on Psa 25:22).
your loyal love Psalms often petition God based on His chesed (6:4; 13:5; 17:7; 25:6). See note on 6:4.
Chesed Word Study
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About Faithlife Study BibleFaithlife Study Bible (FSB) is your guide to the ancient world of the Old and New Testaments, with study notes and articles that draw from a wide range of academic research. FSB helps you learn how to think about interpretation methods and issues so that you can gain a deeper understanding of the text. |
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