Psalms 44:26 — Word Study
WLCק֭וּמָֽה עֶזְרָ֣תָה לָּ֑נוּ וּ֝פְדֵ֗נוּ לְמַ֣עַן חַסְדֶּֽךָ׃
BSAforkîy to sinkshûwach dustʻâphâr soulnephesh to cleavedâbaq landʼerets bellybeṭen
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| ק֭וּמָֽה | arise ! | Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| עֶזְרָ֣תָה | a help | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| לָּ֑נוּ | of us | Preposition, suffix |
| וּ֝פְדֵ֗נוּ | and redeem us | Conjunction, verb qal imperative second person masculine singular, suffix |
| לְמַ֣עַן | for [the] sake of | Particle |
| חַסְדֶּֽךָ׃ | covenant loyalty your | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Rise up; be our help! Redeem us on account of Your loving devotion. |
| KJV | Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies’ sake. |
| ASV | Rise up for our help, And redeem us for thy lovingkindness’ sake. |
| YLT | Arise, a help to us, And ransom us for thy kindness' sake. |
| WEB | Rise up to help us. Redeem us for your loving kindness’ sake. |
| BBE | Up! and come to our help, and give us salvation because of your mercy. |
Where they part company is חַסְדֶּךָ — see How Translations Differ.
The verse has a main clause followed by two phrases that elaborate on the request for help and the reason for redemption.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 44:26
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Plea for Helpgenerated
Psalm 44:26 is a heartfelt cry for divine assistance during a time of distress. The psalmist laments the hardships faced by the people and implores God to rise and provide help and redemption. This plea reflects a deep reliance on God's character, particularly His lovingkindness, as the basis for hope and deliverance.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 26:11 | But I will walk with integrity; redeem me and be merciful to me. |
| 2 | Psalm 130:7–8 | O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is loving devotion, and with Him is redemption in abundance. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — ק֭וּמָֽה, Ku.mahgenerated
The verb קוּם (qum) is a primitive root meaning 'to rise' and encompasses actions such as standing, becoming powerful, and establishing. The imperative form here expresses urgency, as the psalmist implores God to act swiftly in their time of need.
This word appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, indicating a range of contexts from physical rising to metaphorical implications of standing up in defense or support. The usage here emphasizes the need for God to rise up against adversity.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In the Berean Standard Bible, the verse reads Rise up; be our help!
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb ק֭וּמָֽה (ku.mah) governs the entire verse, with two main phrases following: a noun phrase indicating who needs help and a prepositional phrase explaining the reason for redemption. The structure highlights the urgency of the call for help.
The arrangement of clauses emphasizes the plea's immediacy, with the imperative verb placed first to draw attention to the psalmist's desperate request.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates ק֭וּמָֽה as ἐταπεινώθη, meaning 'He was humbled.' This choice reflects an interpretative angle that highlights God's humility in responding to human need, contrasting the direct call to action in the Hebrew.
This translation choice suggests a nuanced understanding of God's character, presenting Him as both powerful and compassionate.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 44:26 is a cry for help from God during a time of trouble. The psalmist asks God to rise up and assist His people, seeking redemption based on His loving kindness. This verse emphasizes the importance of God's character in times of distress.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist is pleading for God to take action and intervene in their situation, expressing a sense of urgency and need for divine support.
The psalmist appeals to God's character, specifically His lovingkindness, as the basis for hope in receiving help and redemption.
Redemption signifies a desire for deliverance from oppression and a restoration of relationship with God, highlighting the need for divine intervention.
This verse teaches that prayer can be a heartfelt cry for help, grounded in trust in God's character and His willingness to respond to our needs.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to call upon God for help and redemption?
- How can I remind myself of God's lovingkindness when facing difficulties?
- What does it mean to me to know that God is always ready to rise up and help?
- How can I support others in their times of distress, reflecting God's kindness?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers have commented on this verse, emphasizing the themes of divine mercy and the psalmist's appeal to God's character.
See how they concluded the discourse: despite their countless good deeds, on what grounds did they appeal to be saved? On the mercy, the lovingkindness, the name of God.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 44 →
"Arise, O Lord, help us" [Psalms 44:26]. And indeed, dearly beloved, He has arisen and helped us. For when he awoke (i.e.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 44 →
If we are judged unworthy of gaining mercy for all these things mentioned, he is saying, nevertheless be faithful to yourself; Lord, on account of your name conferred on us, free us from the enemy.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 44 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 44:26 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleArise for our help,.... Or, "arise our help" (s). God is the help of his people, and he is a present help in time of trouble; and he is the only one; and he can help and does, when none else can; and
Read John Gill on Psalms 44 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryArise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake. Arise for our help - (Psalms 63:7.) Redeem us for thy mercies' sake - not for our merits.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 44 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWe mentioned our sincerity and constancy in thy worship only as an argument to move thee to pity, and not as a ground of our trust and confidence, or as if we merited deliverance by it; but that we expect and implore only upon the account of thine own free and rich mercy.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 44 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 44:26 Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies’ sake.Ver. 26. Arise for our help] Heb. A help for us, a sufficient help, proportionable to our necessities. The Hebrew hath a letter more than ordinary.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 44 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 26. Arise for our help] Show forth thy power in delivering us from the hands of our enemies. Redeem us] Ransom us from our thraldom. For thy mercies' sake.] למען חסדך lemaan chasdecha, On account of thy mercy. That we may have that proper view of thy mercy which we should have, and that we may magnify it as we ought to do, redeem us. The Vulgate has, Redime nos, propter nomen tuum, "Redeem us on account of thy name;" which the old Psalter thus paraphrases: "Help us in ryghtwysness, and by us (buy,) that es, delyver us, that we be withouten drede; and al this for thi name Jehsu; noght for oure merite." ANALYSIS OF THE FORTY-FOURTH PSALM In this Psalm are livelily expressed the…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 44 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges26. Arise] R.V., Rise up. Cp. Psalms 3:7; Numbers 10:35. for thy mercy’s sake] R.V., for thy lovingkindness’ sake. Jehovah has revealed Himself to be “a God … plenteous in lovingkindness and truth, who keeps lovingkindness for thousands” (Exodus 34:7-8), and the Psalmist intreats Him to be true to this central attribute of His character. Cp. Psalms 6:4; Micah 7:18; Micah 7:20. On the reading mercies’, found in many editions, see Scrivener, Auth. Ed. of the English Bible, p. 196.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 44 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleArise for our help - Margin, as in Hebrew, “a help for us.” That is, Deliver us from our present calamities and troubles. And redeem us - Save us; deliver us.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 44 →The verse in English, compared — 16 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Rise up; be our help! Redeem us on account of Your loving devotion.
Rise up to help us. Redeem us for your loving kindness’ sake.
Rise up; be our help! Redeem us on account of Your loving devotion.
Rise up and help us! Rescue us because of your loyal love!
Tyndale line
Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies’ sake.
Rise up for our help, And redeem us for thy lovingkindness’ sake.
Rise up for our help, and redeem us for thy lovingkindness’ sake.
Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake.
Rise vp for our succour, and redeeme vs for thy mercies sake.
Strictly literal
Rise up for our help, and redeem us for thy loving-kindness' sake.
Arise, a help to us, And ransom us for thy kindness' sake.
Arise, a help to us, || And ransom us for your kindness’ sake.
(44:27) Arise unto our help, and redeem us for the sake of thy kindness.
Rise up for our help and redeem us for the sake of your covenant faithfulness.
Simplified
Stand up! Come and help us! Save us because of your trustworthy love!
Up! and come to our help, and give us salvation because of your mercy.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of ק֭וּמָֽה and its context, maintaining the same essential plea for help and redemption. The Septuagint's translation aligns closely with the Hebrew, though its wording reflects its own linguistic style.
ק֭וּמָֽה עֶזְרָ֣תָה לָּ֑נוּ וּ֝פְדֵ֗נוּ לְמַ֣עַן חַסְדֶּֽךָ׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 44:26
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word קוּם (qum) is a primitive root meaning 'to rise' and encompasses a range of actions such as standing, becoming powerful, and establishing. It can imply a sudden or hostile rise, as well as the act of fulfilling or confirming something. The entries also note various grammatical forms, indicating its use in different contexts, including raising up or causing to stand.
לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash Je 51:1.
ref
קוּם 628 vb. arise, stand up, stand
Qal 460
arise
arise, in hostile sense (oft. with idea of suddenness)
arise, abs., = become powerful
arise = come on the scene, appear, of leader, prophet
arise for, i.e. to become
arise for action
arise (out of inaction), introducing some specific deed
esp. arise = start, make a move, to go somewhere
stand
Pi.
fulfil
confirm, ratify
confirm, establish
impose, an obligation
Pō‛l. raise up
Hithpō‛l. raise oneself, = rise up
Hiph.
146cause to arise, raise
raise, set up, stones
erect, build
fig, of setting up law
raise up = bring on the scene
raise up = rouse, stir up
instigate, build
fig, of setting up law
raise up = constitute
cause to stand
Hoph. be raised up
base
H6965a לֵב קָמָי prob. late Atbash H6965b קוּם arise, stand up, stand .. arise
. arise, in hostile sense (oft. with idea of suddenness)
. arise, abs., = become powerful
. arise = come on the scene, appear, of leader, prophet
. arise for, i.e. to become
. . arise for action
. arise (out of inaction), introducing some specific deed
. esp. arise = start, make a move, to go somewhere
. stand
. . fulfil
. . confirm, ratify
. confirm, establish
. impose, an obligation
. raise up
. raise oneself, = rise up
. . cause to arise, raise
. . raise, set up, stones
. erect, build
. fig, of setting up law
. raise up = bring on the scene
. . raise up = rouse, stir up
. instigate, build
. fig, of setting up law
. raise up = constitute
. cause to stand
. be raised up
6965 quwm koom
a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal,
figurative, intensive and causative):--abide, accomplish, X
be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, X be dim, endure, X
enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift
up (again), make, X but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise
(up), rear (up), remain, (a-)rise (up) (again, against), rouse
up, set (up), (e-)stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up,
strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -
rising).
קָמָי (qa.may) — (Leb)-kamai.
Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B)
§ -Kamai = "my adversary"
Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai
קוּם (qum) — to arise: rise.
: rise/get_going
1) to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to arise
1a2) to arise (hostile sense)
1a3) to arise, become powerful
1a4) to arise, come on the scene
1a5) to stand
1a5a) to maintain oneself
1a5b) to be established, be confirmed
1a5c) to stand, endure
1a5d) to be fixed
1a5e) to be valid
1a5f) to be proven
1a5g) to be fulfilled
1a5h) to persist
1a5i) to be set, be fixed
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to fulfil
1b2) to confirm, ratify, establish, impose
1c) (Polel) to raise up
1d) (Hithpael) to raise oneself, rise up
1e) (Hiphil)
1e1) to cause to arise, raise
1e2) to raise, set up, erect, build
1e3) to raise up, bring on the scene
1e4) to raise up, rouse, stir up, investigate
1e5) to raise up, constitute
HVqv2ms/Sh — Verb qal imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHVqv2ms/Sh
עֶזְרָה (ezrah) refers to help, succour, or assistance. It is a feminine noun derived from the root meaning aid. The word appears in contexts related to providing support, including in Psalm 60:11 and Psalm 108:12, where it emphasizes the act of helping or the one who helps.
עֶזְרָה, עֶזְרָת, עֶזְרָ֫תָה n.f. help, succour, assistance
base
H5833 עֶזְרָה, עֶזְרָת, עֶזְרָ֫תָה help, succour, assistance
5833 `ezrah ez-raw'
or mezrath (Psa. 60:11 (13); 108:12 (13)) {ez-rawth'};
feminine of 5828; aid:--help(-ed, -er).
see HEBREW for 013
see HEBREW for 013
see HEBREW for 05828
עֶזְרָה (ez.rah) — help.
1) help, succour, assistance
1a) help, succour
1b) one who helps
HNcfsa — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
With the sense of that which brings aid, support, or deliverance, "help" (noun and vb.) represents a large variety of words in Hebrew and Greek (noun 7, verb 16). A principal Hebrew word is `azar, "to help," with the corresponding nouns `ezer, `ezrah; a chief Greek word is boetheo (Mt 15:25; Mr 9:22,24, etc.). True help is to be sought for in Yahweh, in whom, in the Old Testament, the believer is constantly exhorted to trust, with the renouncing of all other confidences (Ps 20:2; 33:20; 42:5; 46:1; 115:9,10,11; 121:2; Isa 41:10,13,14, etc.). In Ro 8:26 it is said, "the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity," the verb here…
נוּ (nu) — us.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 1st person plural
HR/Sp1bp — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp1bp
US, pronoun objective case of we.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Us , pron. [OE. us, AS. s; akin to OFries. & OS. s, D. ons, G. uns, Icel. & Sw. oss, Dan. os, Goth. uns, L. nos we, us, Gr. we, Skr. nas us. . Cf. Nostrum, Our.] The persons speaking, regarded as an object; ourselves; — the objective case of we. See We. “Tell us a tale.” Chaucer.
Give us this day our daily bread. Matt. vi. 11.
Us, pron. oblique case of we
פָּדָה (padah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to ransom or redeem. It encompasses actions like delivering or rescuing, with various forms indicating different nuances, such as being ransomed or allowing someone to be ransomed. The entries highlight its use in contexts of release and preservation, but do not specify any particular verses.
פָּדָה vb. ransom
Qal ransom
Niph. she hath not been at all ransomed (from bondage)
Hiph. he shall let her be ransomed.
base
H6299 פָּדָה ransom
6299 padah paw-daw'
a primitive root; to sever, i.e. ransom; gener. to release,
preserve:--X at all, deliver, X by any means, ransom, (that
are to be, let be) redeem(-ed), rescue, X surely.
פָּדָה (pa.dah) — to ransom.
1) to ransom, redeem, rescue, deliver
1a) (Qal) to ransom
1b) (Niphal) to be ransomed
1c) (Hiphil) to allow one to be ransomed
1d) (Hophal) redeemed
HC/Vqv2ms/Sp1bp — Conjunction · verb qal imperative second person masculine singular · suffixHC/Vqv2ms/Sp1bp
US, pronoun objective case of we.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Us , pron. [OE. us, AS. s; akin to OFries. & OS. s, D. ons, G. uns, Icel. & Sw. oss, Dan. os, Goth. uns, L. nos we, us, Gr. we, Skr. nas us. . Cf. Nostrum, Our.] The persons speaking, regarded as an object; ourselves; — the objective case of we. See We. “Tell us a tale.” Chaucer.
Give us this day our daily bread. Matt. vi. 11.
Us, pron. oblique case of we
מַ֫עַן (ma`an) is a preposition and conjunction meaning 'for the sake of' or 'on account of.' It conveys purpose or intent, indicating a motive or aim, and is used adverbially. The word is derived from a root meaning 'heed' or 'purpose' and appears in contexts that express reasons or intentions.
[מַ֫עַן] subst. purpose, intent, only with לְ, in לְמַ֫עַן 271 prep. and conj. for the sake of, on account of, to the intent or in order that
base
H4616 מַ֫עַן prep. and conj. for the sake of, on account of, to the intent or in order that
4616 ma`an mah'-an
from 6030; properly, heed, i.e. purpose; used only
adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim),
teleologically, in order that:--because of, to the end
(intent) that, for (to,... 's sake), + lest, that, to.
see HEBREW for 06030
מַ֫עַן (ma.an) — because.
1) purpose, intent prep
1a) for the sake of
1b) in view of, on account of
1c) for the purpose of, to the intent that, in order to conj
1d) to the end that
HTc — ParticleHTc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) primarily means kindness or goodness, often referring to the kindness of people towards one another, especially towards the needy. It can also denote God's lovingkindness and mercy. Additionally, it has a secondary meaning of shame or reproach. The entries reflect a range of uses, from human interactions to divine attributes.
חֶ֫סֶד 247 n.m. goodness, kindness
of man:
kindness of men toward men, in doing favours and benefits
kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy
(rarely) affection of Isr. to י׳, love to God, piety
lovely appearance
of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures.
base
חֶ֫סֶד n.m. shame, reproach
base
H2617a חֶ֫סֶד goodness, kindness . of man: . kindness of men toward men, in doing favours and benefits
. kindness (especially as extended to the lowly, needy and miserable), mercy
. (rarely) affection of Isr. to י׳, love to God, piety
. lovely appearance
. of God: kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures.
H2617b חֶ֫סֶד shame, reproach
2617 checed kheh'-sed
from 2616; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety:
rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty:--favour,
good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-)kindness, merciful
(kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing.
see HEBREW for 02616
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) — kindness.
goodness, kindness, faithfulness
חֶ֫סֶד (che.sed) — shame.
a reproach, shame
HNcmsc/Sp2ms — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp2ms