Psalms 44:5 — Word Study
WLCבְּ֭ךָ צָרֵ֣ינוּ נְנַגֵּ֑חַ בְּ֝שִׁמְךָ֗ נָב֥וּס קָמֵֽינוּ׃
BSAyou(m.s.)ʼattâh [the Almighty God] he/she/ithûwʼ King'smelek Godʼĕlôhîym to commandtsâvâh salvationyᵉshûwʻâh JacobYaʻăqôb
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| בְּ֭ךָ | by you | Preposition, suffix |
| צָרֵ֣ינוּ | opponents our | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| נְנַגֵּ֑חַ | we gore | Verb, Piel, imperfect first person common plural |
| בְּ֝שִׁמְךָ֗ | in name your | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| נָב֥וּס | we tread down | Verb, Qal, imperfect first person common plural |
| קָמֵֽינוּ׃ | [those who] rise up against us | Verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Through You we repel our foes; through Your name we trample our enemies. |
| KJV | Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. |
| ASV | Through thee will we push down our adversaries: Through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. |
| YLT | By Thee our adversaries we do push, By Thy name tread down our withstanders, |
| WEB | Through you, we will push down our adversaries. Through your name, we will tread down those who rise up against us. |
| BBE | Through you will we overcome our haters; by your name will they be crushed under our feet who are violent against us. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of צָרֵ֣ינוּ — see How Translations Differ.
Two main clauses, each detailing actions taken through God’s power and authority.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאֱלֹהִים
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 44:5
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 Psalm of Confidence in God's Deliverancegenerated
Psalm 44:5 expresses the psalmist's belief that it is through God that they can defeat their enemies. The verses surrounding this declaration emphasize God's role as a king who grants victories and highlights the futility of reliance on human strength. This psalm serves as a reminder of divine assistance in times of conflict, encouraging trust in God's power.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 18:39–42 | You have armed me with strength for battle; You have subdued my foes beneath me. |
| 2 | Psalm 118:10–13 | All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. |
| 3 | Isaiah 41:14–16 | Do not fear, O worm of Jacob, O few men of Israel. I will help you,” declares the LORD. “Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. |
| 4 | Philippians 4:13 | I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 33:17 | His majesty is like a firstborn bull, and his horns are like those of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even to the ends of the earth. Such are the myriads of Ephraim, and such are the thousands of Manasseh.” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 12 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נְנַגֵּ֑חַ, ne.na.Ge.achgenerated
The verb נָגַח (nagach) means to push or thrust with force, often used in the context of animals goring. In this verse, it conveys the idea of actively engaging in battle against foes, emphasizing a vigorous and aggressive action.
The Piel form indicates a more intense action, suggesting that the psalmist is not merely defending but is actively pushing back against their adversaries. This word encapsulates the struggle and the divine assistance in overcoming challenges.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations agree on the key actions described in this verse, with a focus on how God enables victory over enemies.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of two main clauses, both beginning with a prepositional phrase: בְּ֭ךָ (by You) and בְּ֝שִׁמְךָ֗ (in Your name). Each clause presents an action: the first describes repelling foes, while the second describes trampling enemies.
The structure emphasizes that both actions are dependent on God's power and authority, making it clear that victory is not achieved through human means but through divine intervention.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew verb נְנַגֵּ֑חַ is rendered as θεός (Theos), which emphasizes the divine nature of the assistance in battle. This choice highlights the theological interpretation that God Himself is the source of strength against enemies.
The translation of צָרֵ֣ינוּ as μου (my) shifts the focus slightly, personalizing the sense of opposition faced by the psalmist.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 44:5 tells us that victory over our enemies comes through God. The psalmist expresses confidence that by relying on God's power and authority, they can repel foes and trample those who rise against them.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that victory and defense against enemies are achieved not by human strength but through divine assistance.
The enemies are described as foes who rise up against the psalmist, indicating a direct opposition.
God's name represents His authority and character, which empowers the psalmist to overcome challenges.
We can trust in God's power to help us face our own challenges and adversaries, knowing that He provides strength in times of trouble.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to rely more on God's strength rather than my own?
- How can I better recognize the adversaries I face and seek God's help in overcoming them?
- What does it mean to me to trample my enemies through God's name?
- How can I encourage others to trust in God's power during their struggles?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early interpretations of this verse highlight its themes of divine assistance and the power of faith against adversaries, as seen in the writings of Augustine and Bede.
But perhaps it is only what is past that has been described to us: but nothing of the kind is to be hoped for by us for the future. Nay indeed, it is still to be hoped for.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 44 →
In the Scriptures it is often the custom for horns to designate the eminence of faith and of the virtues with which we ought to strike out against and overcome the hostile advances of our ancient enemy,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 44 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 44:5 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThrough thee will we push down our enemies,.... The Chaldee paraphrase renders it, "through the Word": the essential Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the church's King and God, and has
Read John Gill on Psalms 44 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThrough thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. Through thee will we push down our enemies. Faith speaks, triumphing over sense.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 44 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BiblePush down, Heb. smite with the horn, i.e. subdue and destroy. The phrase is taken from , and is borrowed from horned beasts. Compare . Through thy name, i.e. by the help of thy power.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 44 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 44:5 Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.Ver. 5. Through thee will we push down our enemies] Cornu petemus, a metaphor from horned creatures, as Deuteronomy 33:17. This we shall soon do if thou do but only give the word of command; for together with thy word goeth forth a power. Through thy name] Tuo nomine et numine, auspicio et ductu.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 44 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(5) Push down.—The image of the original is lost here, the LXX. have retained it. It is that of a buffalo or other horned animal driving back and goring its enemies. Deuteronomy 33:17 applies it as a special description of the tribe of Joseph. The figure is continued in the next clause; the infuriated animal tramples its victim under foot.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 44 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 5. Through thee will we push down] Through thy WORD, במימרא bemeimra, "Thy substantial Word." - Chaldee. If thou be with us, who can be successfully against us? Literally "We will toss them in the air with our horn;" a metaphor taken from an ox or bull tossing the dogs into the air which attack him. Through thy name] Jehovah; the infinite, the omnipotent, the eternal Being; whose power none is able to resist.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 44 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges5. push down) Perhaps a reminiscence of Deu 33:17; but metaphors from horned animals are common. Cp. 1 Kings 22:11. our enemies) R.V. our adversaries, and similarly in Psalms 44:7; Psalms 44:10, the Heb. word being different from that in Psalms 44:16. through thy name] Relying upon all that Thou hast revealed Thyself to be as the God of Israel:—an emphatic alternative for through Thee. The Name of God is the compendious expression for His revealed character and attributes. See Oehler’s O.T. Theology, § 56. Cp. Psalms 5:11; Psalms 20:1; Acts 3:16.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 44 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThrough thee - By thy help. “Will we push down our enemies.” The word here rendered “push down” means literally to strike or push with the horns, spoken of horned animals, Exodus 21:28, Exodus 21:31-32.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 44 →The verse in English, compared — 17 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
Through You we repel our foes; through Your name we trample our enemies.
Through you, we will push down our adversaries. Through your name, we will tread down those who rise up against us.
Through You we repel our foes; through Your name we trample our enemies.
By your power we will drive back our enemies; by your strength we will trample down our foes!
Tyndale line
Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
Through thee will we push down our adversaries: Through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
Through thee will we push down our adversaries: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name we will tread them under that rise up against us.
Through thee haue we thrust backe our aduersaries: by thy Name haue we troden downe them that rose vp against vs.
Strictly literal
Through thee will we push down our adversaries; through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
By Thee our adversaries we do push, By Thy name tread down our withstanders,
By You we push our adversaries, || By Your Name we tread down our withstanders,
(44:6) Through thee will we butt down our assailants: through thy name will we tread under foot our opponents.
Through you we will push down our adversaries; through your name we will tread them under, those who rise up against us.
From the Latin
With thy comeliness and thy beauty set out, proceed prosperously, and reign. Because of truth and meekness and justice: and thy right hand shall conduct thee wonderfully.
Simplified
Only through you can we repel our enemies; only in your name can we defeat our opponents.
Through you will we overcome our haters; by your name will they be crushed under our feet who are violent against us.
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 reads: בְּ֭ךָ צָרֵ֣ינוּ נְנַגֵּ֑חַ בְּ֝שִׁמְךָ֗ נָב֥וּס קָמֵֽינוּ׃. The Septuagint matches 4 of the 6 words, showing a close alignment in meaning, though the word order differs. The Dead Sea Scrolls include one word on the leather and several restored by an editor, indicating a mix of preservation and restoration.
בְּ֭ךָ צָרֵ֣ינוּ נְנַגֵּ֑חַ בְּ֝שִׁמְךָ֗ נָב֥וּס קָמֵֽינוּ׃
4 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.
[אתה] הוא מלכ׳י [אלהים] [צוה] [ישועות] [יעקב]
1 word on the leather — 1 partly restored, 5 supplied entire by an editor.
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 44:5
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.
ךָּ (ka) — you.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 2nd person masculine singular
HR/Sp2ms — Preposition · suffixHR/Sp2ms
The Hebrew word צַר (tsar) is built from the root meaning 'narrow' or 'tight.' It encompasses a range of meanings including 'distress,' 'adversary,' and 'hard pebble' or 'flint.' The term can refer to physical tightness or metaphorical trouble, as well as an enemy or foe. It appears in contexts of anguish and tribulation, with a specific verse reference in Isaiah 5:28.
צַר adj. narrow, tight
base
צַר n.[m.] straits, distress
base
צַר 68 n.m. adversary, foe
base
צַר n.[m.] hard pebble, flint;—Is 5:28
ref
H6862a צַר narrow, tight H6862b צַר straits, distress H6862c צַר adversary, foe H6862d צַר hard pebble, flint
6862 tsar tsar
or tsar {tsawr}; from 6887; narrow; (as a noun) a tight place
(usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble (as in
6864); (transitive) an opponent (as crowding):--adversary,
afflicted(-tion), anguish, close, distress, enemy, flint, foe,
narrow, small, sorrow, strait, tribulation, trouble.
see HEBREW for 06887
see HEBREW for 06864
צַר (tsar) — narrow.
narrow, tight
צַר (tsar) — distress.
straits, distress
צַר (tsar) — enemy.
adversary, foe, enemy, oppressor
צַר (tsar) — hard.
hard pebble, flint
HNcmpc/Sp1bp — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp1bp
נָגַח (nagach) is a Hebrew verb meaning to push, thrust, or gore. It can refer to the action of an animal goring with its horns, or more figuratively, to waging war. The verb appears in various forms, including Qal (to gore), Piel (to push or thrust at), and Hithpael (to engage in thrusting).
נָגַח vb. push, thrust, gore
Qal gore
Pi. push or thrust at
Hithp. engage in thrusting with, wage war with
base
H5055 נָגַח push, thrust, gore .gore
. push or thrust at
. engage in thrusting with, wage war with
5055 nagach naw-gakh'
a primitive root; to but with the horns; figuratively, to war
against:--gore, push (down, -ing).
נָגַח (na.gach) — to gore.
1) to push, thrust, gore
1a) (Qal) to gore
1b) (Piel) to push or thrust at
1c) (Hithpael) to engage in thrusting, wage war
HVpi1cp — Verb · Piel · imperfect first person common pluralHVpi1cp
gor (naghach): "Gore" occurs only three times in the King James Version, namely, Ex 21:28,31 bis, "if an ox gore a man or a woman," etc.; in 21:29,32,36, the King James Version has "push" (with his horn), the Revised Version (British and American) "gore." The same verb in Piel and HithpaeI is elsewhere translated "push" and "pushing" (De 33:17, "He shall push the peoples," the Revised Version, margin "gore"; 1Ki 22:11; Ps 44:5; Eze 34:21; Da 8:4; 11:40, the Revised Version (British and American) "contend," margin "Hebrew push at," as an ox pushes with his horns so…
שֵׁם (shem) means 'name' and encompasses various meanings such as reputation, fame, and glory. It can refer to the designation of God and is often associated with memorials or monuments. The word is built from a primitive root and highlights individuality and honor. There is a mention of its use in relation to false gods, which is forbidden.
שֵׁם 864 n.m. name (√ unknown)
of river, beasts, city, i.e. exact designation of it
usu. of pers.
= reputation
esp. as giving a man a kind of posthumous life, esp. in his sons
name, as designation of God
of false gods, use forbidden
= memorial, monument
base
H8034 שֵׁם name (√ unknown)
8034 shem shame
a primitive word (perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea
of definite and conspicuous position; compare 8064); an
appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by
implication honor, authority, character:--+ base,
(in-)fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
see HEBREW for 07760
see HEBREW for 08064
שֵׁם (shem) — name.
1) name
1a) name
1b) reputation, fame, glory
1c) the Name (as designation of God)
1d) memorial, monument
Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)
HR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncmsc/Sp2ms
בּוּס (buwc) means to tread down or trample, with applications both literal and figurative. It includes various forms such as rejecting or desecrating, and it can describe actions of warriors or the movements of infants. The word covers a range of meanings related to being trampled or polluted.
[בּוּס] vb. tread down, trample
Qal tread down, trample (of warriors)
Pol. tread down, in bad sense
Hithpol. of the blind movements of infant’s limbs, kick out (this way and that), fig. of Jerusalem.
Hoph. pass. trodden down
base
H947 בּוּס tread down, trample
947 buwc boos
a primitive root; to trample (literally or
figuratively):--loath, tread (down, under (foot)), be
polluted.
בּוּס (bus) — to trample.
1) to tread down, reject, trample down
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to tread down, trample (of warriors)
1a2) of rejection (fig.)
1b) (Polel)
1b1) to tread down (in bad sense)
1b2) to desecrate
1c) (Hithpolel)
1c1) to tread
1c2) to kick out
1c2a) of infants' blind movements
1c2b) of Jerusalem (fig.)
1d) (Hophal) to be trodden down
HVqi1cp — Verb · Qal · imperfect first person common pluralHVqi1cp
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
HVqrmpc/Sp1bp — Verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common · suffixHVqrmpc/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