Psalms 44:23
Psalms 44:23 in Multiple Translations
Wake up, O Lord! Why are You sleeping? Arise! Do not reject us forever.
Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.
Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? Arise, cast us not off for ever.
Why are you sleeping, O Lord? awake! and come to our help, do not give us up for ever.
Lord, wake up! Why are you sleeping? Get up! Don't turn your back on us forever!
Vp, why sleepest thou, O Lord? awake, be not farre off for euer.
Stir up — why dost Thou sleep, O Lord? Awake, cast us not off for ever.
Wake up! Why do you sleep, Lord? Arise! Don’t reject us forever.
Awake, why sleepest thou, O LORD? arise, cast us not off for ever.
So, Yahweh, arise! Why are you asleep [RHQ]? Get up! Do not reject us forever!
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 44:23
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 44:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּֽי
עָ֭לֶי/ךָ
הֹרַ֣גְנוּ
כָל
הַ/יּ֑וֹם
נֶ֝חְשַׁ֗בְנוּ
כְּ/צֹ֣אן
טִבְחָֽה
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
עָ֭לֶי/ךָ
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
הֹרַ֣גְנוּ
hârag
H2026
to kill
V-Q-Perf-1cp
כָל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
הַ/יּ֑וֹם
yôwm
H3117
day
Art | N-ms
נֶ֝חְשַׁ֗בְנוּ
châshab
H2803
to devise
V-Niphal-Perf-1cp
כְּ/צֹ֣אן
tsôʼn
H6629
Sheep (Gate)
Prep | N-cs
טִבְחָֽה
ṭibchâh
H2878
slaughtered
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 44:23
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
עָ֭לֶי/ךָ
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הֹרַ֣גְנוּ
hârag
H2026
"to kill"
V-Q-Perf-1cp
To kill or slay with intent, as seen in the Bible when God instructs the Israelites to destroy certain nations. This word is used in various forms, including to murder or destroy. It appears in books like Exodus and Deuteronomy.
Definition: 1) to kill, slay, murder, destroy, murderer, slayer, out of hand 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kill, slay 1a2) to destroy, ruin 1b) (Niphal) to be killed 1c) (Pual) to be killed, be slain
Usage: Occurs in 158 OT verses. KJV: destroy, out of hand, kill, murder(-er), put to (death), make (slaughter), slay(-er), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 4:8; 2 Kings 8:12; Psalms 10:8.
כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הַ/יּ֑וֹם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
נֶ֝חְשַׁ֗בְנוּ
châshab
H2803
"to devise"
V-Niphal-Perf-1cp
To devise means to think or plan something, often in a clever way. In the Bible, it can mean to plot or contrive, as seen in the story of David and Goliath.
Definition: : count/regard_as 1) to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, count 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to think, account 1a2) to plan, devise, mean 1a3) to charge, impute, reckon 1a4) to esteem, value, regard 1a5) to invent 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be accounted, be thought, be esteemed 1b2) to be computed, be reckoned 1b3) to be imputed 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to think upon, consider, be mindful of 1c2) to think to do, devise, plan 1c3) to count, reckon 1d) (Hithpael) to be considered
Usage: Occurs in 122 OT verses. KJV: (make) account (of), conceive, consider, count, cunning (man, work, workman), devise, esteem, find out, forecast, hold, imagine, impute, invent, be like, mean, purpose, reckon(-ing be made), regard, think. See also: Genesis 15:6; Psalms 35:4; Psalms 10:2.
כְּ/צֹ֣אן
tsôʼn
H6629
"Sheep (Gate)"
Prep | N-cs
This word refers to a flock of sheep or goats, and is sometimes used to describe people in a figurative sense. It is also associated with the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem, a significant location in biblical times.
Definition: This name means sheep and goats Also named: probatikos (προβατικός "Sheep Gate" G4262)
Usage: Occurs in 247 OT verses. KJV: (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds). See also: Genesis 4:2; Deuteronomy 28:31; Psalms 44:12.
טִבְחָֽה
ṭibchâh
H2878
"slaughtered"
N-fs
This Hebrew word means something that has been slaughtered, like an animal for food. It is used to describe meat or a place of slaughter. In the Bible, it is translated as 'flesh' or 'slaughter'.
Definition: slaughtered meat, a slaughter, flesh, meat, thing slaughtered
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: flesh, slaughter. See also: 1 Samuel 25:11; Psalms 44:23; Jeremiah 12:3.
Study Notes — Psalms 44:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 44:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 44:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 44:23
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 44:23
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 44:23
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 44:23
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 44:23
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 44:23
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 44:23
- Sermons on Psalms 44:23
Context — Redeem Us, O God
21would not God have discovered, since He knows the secrets of the heart?
22Yet for Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.
23Wake up, O Lord! Why are You sleeping? Arise! Do not reject us forever.
24Why do You hide Your face and forget our affliction and oppression? 25For our soul has sunk to the dust; our bodies cling to the earth.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 78:65 | Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a mighty warrior overcome by wine. |
| 2 | Psalms 7:6 | Arise, O LORD, in Your anger; rise up against the fury of my enemies. Awake, my God, and ordain judgment. |
| 3 | Psalms 35:23 | Awake and rise to my defense, to my cause, my God and my Lord! |
| 4 | Psalms 74:1 | Why have You rejected us forever, O God? Why does Your anger smolder against the sheep of Your pasture? |
| 5 | Isaiah 51:9 | Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon? |
| 6 | Psalms 77:7 | “Will the Lord spurn us forever and never show His favor again? |
| 7 | Psalms 12:5 | “For the cause of the oppressed and for the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will bring safety to him who yearns.” |
| 8 | Mark 4:38 | But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?” |
| 9 | Psalms 44:9 | But You have rejected and humbled us; You no longer go forth with our armies. |
| 10 | Psalms 59:4–5 | For no fault of my own, they move swiftly to attack me. Arise to help me, and take notice. O LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, rouse Yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to the wicked traitors. Selah |
Psalms 44:23 Summary
This verse is a cry from the heart, asking God to wake up and pay attention to the psalmist's suffering. The psalmist feels like God is sleeping and not doing anything to help them, and they are asking Him to arise and take action, as seen in Psalms 35:23 and Isaiah 51:9-10. This verse reminds us that it is okay to be honest with God about our feelings and frustrations, and that we can trust in His goodness and faithfulness, even when we do not understand what He is doing, as stated in Romans 8:28 and Psalms 138:8. By crying out to God like the psalmist, we can experience His comfort, strength, and deliverance, as promised in Psalms 34:17-20 and 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the psalmist ask God to wake up in Psalms 44:23?
The psalmist asks God to wake up because it seems like God is not paying attention to their suffering, as seen in Psalms 44:22 where they face death and are considered as sheep to be slaughtered, and they desire God's intervention and deliverance, as promised in Psalms 121:4 and Isaiah 40:28-31.
Is the psalmist accusing God of being lazy or uncaring?
No, the psalmist is not accusing God of being lazy or uncaring, but rather expressing their deep distress and confusion about why God seems to be delaying His help, as expressed in Psalms 13:1-2 and Habakkuk 1:2-4, and they are crying out to God for relief and rescue.
What does the phrase 'Do not reject us forever' mean in this context?
The phrase 'Do not reject us forever' means that the psalmist is asking God not to turn His back on them permanently, but to remember His covenant promises, such as in Leviticus 26:44-45 and Deuteronomy 4:31, and to restore their relationship with Him, as seen in Psalms 51:11 and Lamentations 5:22.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives when we feel like God is not answering our prayers?
We can apply this verse by being honest with God about our feelings and frustrations, as the psalmist is, and by continuing to trust in God's goodness and faithfulness, as seen in Psalms 23:4 and Romans 8:28, even when we do not understand what He is doing, and by remembering that God's timing and ways are not always our own, as stated in Isaiah 55:8-9 and 2 Peter 3:8-9.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have felt like God was sleeping or not paying attention to my needs, and how did I respond to those feelings?
- How can I, like the psalmist, express my honest emotions and concerns to God without fearing that I will be rejected or judged?
- What are some ways that I can trust in God's goodness and faithfulness, even when I do not understand what He is doing in my life, and how can I apply Psalms 44:23 to my own situation?
- What does it mean for me to 'arise' and take action in my life, as the psalmist asks God to do, and how can I partner with God to bring about positive change in my circumstances?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 44:23
Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord?.... Not that sleep properly falls upon God: the Keeper of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps; his eyes are always upon his people; he never withdraws them from them,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 44:23
Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever. Fifth strophe. Psalms 44:23-26.-Prayer that God would arise for His people's help. Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? The answer is given, Psalms 121:4.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 44:23
Psalms 44:23 Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast [us] not off for ever.Ver. 23. Awake, why sleepest thou?] Considering all the premises, stir up thyself, and come and save us? carest thou not that we perish?
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 44:23
(23) Why sleepest.—Comp. Psalms 7:6, and see refs.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 44:23
Verse 23. Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord?] That is, Why dost thou appear as one asleep, who is regardless of the safety of his friends. This is a freedom of speech which can only be allowed to inspired men; and in their mouths it is always to be figuratively understood.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 44:23
23–26. An urgent appeal for immediate help.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 44:23
Awake, why sleepest thou? - This is a solemn and earnest appeal to God to interpose in their behalf, as if he were “asleep,” or were regardless of their sufferings. Compare Psalms 3:7, note; Psalms 7:6, note; Psalms 35:23, note.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 44:23
23. Awake—An anthropomorphism. God appears to sleep when he withholds answer to prayer, and help from the distressed. The same impassioned language is used in Psalms 44:24. Psalms 44:23-26 are an earnest cry for help.
Sermons on Psalms 44:23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Prayer in the Time of Trouble by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith addresses the issue of seeking righteous judgment from God in the face of an ungodly nation. He begins by acknowledging the sad reality of a nati |
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Why God Allows Suffering by Roy Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the contrasting elements of the world we live in. He uses the analogy of two painters working on the same canvas, one creating a beautiful pi |
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The Breaking Point by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson addresses the struggles many Christians, particularly the youth, face at their breaking point, feeling overwhelmed by societal pressures, personal crises, and menta |
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Arise, O Lord, in Thine Anger, Lift Up Thyself Because of the Rage of Mine Enemies by John Calvin | John Calvin emphasizes the importance of praying in faith according to God's commands, rather than selfish desires, by relying on God's word and promises. He highlights the need to |
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A Time to Cry by David Legge | In this sermon, the speaker laments the current state of society, where the preaching of the word of God is disregarded and mocked. The speaker questions the absence of divine inte |
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God's Hatchet by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of idolatry and the deception that has taken hold of the church. He emphasizes the importance of seeking God and warns against the |
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The Spirit of Prophecy by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes the importance of prophecy in the church, explaining that in the new covenant, prophecy is for exhortation, consolation, and edification. Without the propheti |