Psalms 44

Psalms 44:1-8

Courage from Former Deliverances Psalms 44:1-8 This psalm, like Psalms 60:1-12, came out of one of the early wars in David’ s reign, as described in 2 Samuel 8:13-14. Some refer it to 2 Chronicles 20:1-37. It befits the Church when her former prosperous state contrasts sadly with her depressed and suffering condition. It is a great argument in prayer when we can quote to God the mighty things of the past, and ask that He should do the same again. The great revivals and advances of the past were not achieved by human wisdom or might, but by faith. It is always God’ s right hand and the light of Hiscountenance that win the land in possession; but why should He not command similar deliverances again! And what is true of the Church is equally true of the individual. Why not lift thy heart to God, O defeated soul, and claim that He should command victories for thee? Psalms 44:2, r.v., margin. Make thy boast in God and thou wilt have reason to give thanks unto Him forever! But before we can claim God’ s deliverances, we must be able to say, Thou art my King, Psalms 44:4.

Thou art my King, O God! This Psalm is so like Psalms 60:1-12, that it was probably occasioned by the same circumstances. While David was fighting with the Syrians, the Edomites made an incursion. Amid the anguish this Psalm may have been composed by the sons of Korah. David’s return was God’s answer to their cry (2 Samuel 8:13-14). Some, however, consider the Psalm to have reference to the events narrated in 2 Chronicles 20:1-37.

It fits any period of the Church’s history when her former prosperous condition contrasts sadly with her depressed and suffering state. Romans 8:36 points the application of Psa 44:22.

Thou hast helped us (Psalms 44:1-3). Thou must help us (Psalms 44:4-8). Thou art not helping us (Psalms 44:9-16). We are not conscious of having done aught to forfeit Thy help (Psalms 44:17-22). We invoke Thy help (Psalms 44:23-26).

Psalms 44:3.Thy right hand (Deuteronomy 8:7-18) All that we are and have and hope for, is the gift of God’s undeserved mercy. We need not boast, but we need not fear to lose.

Psalms 44:4.Thou art my King!We cannot expect deliverances till we have made Christ our King.

Psalms 44:8-10.In God we boast all the daySometimes God takes away all sensible enjoyment and encouragement, to see whether we still cling to Him for Himself. Happy are we if we can adopt Psalms 44:18.

Psalms 44:20-21.If we have forgotten (Joshua 22:22).

Psalms 44:22. For Thy sake are we killed The path to victory lies through death and the grave.

Psalms 44:23. O Lord, arise! Though the Lord seem to sleep, it is in the stern of the boat. Do not be afraid. If He is with you, no storm can prevail to your destruction (Mark 4:40).

Psalms 44:9-26

a Plea for Present Help Psalms 44:9-26 In Psalms 44:11 God’ s people are compared to sheep appointed for meat, which are sold by the shepherd for naught, so worthless are they. Before their savage foes sheep are defenseless and unresisting. Their bitter lot is aggravated by their fear lest the shepherd has forgotten them. The reference in Psalms 44:19 to jackals suggests the further picture of a harried and panting flock. It is hardly to be wondered at that God’ s tender mercies seemed withdrawn from his people! But notice how the Apostle Paul uses these words in Romans 8:36. He does not complain of forsakenness, nor appeal for help. On the contrary, he declares that in all these things we are more than conquerors, and that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. This is the lesson of the New Testament-that we conquer when we are defeated; overcome when we are slain; are strongest when we are beaten to the dust; and ascend to the throne only when we fie in the grave where Jesus, our Master, lay! John 12:24; 2 Corinthians 13:3-4.

Thou art my King, O God! This Psalm is so like Psalms 60:1-12, that it was probably occasioned by the same circumstances. While David was fighting with the Syrians, the Edomites made an incursion. Amid the anguish this Psalm may have been composed by the sons of Korah. David’s return was God’s answer to their cry (2 Samuel 8:13-14). Some, however, consider the Psalm to have reference to the events narrated in 2 Chronicles 20:1-37.

It fits any period of the Church’s history when her former prosperous condition contrasts sadly with her depressed and suffering state. Romans 8:36 points the application of Psa 44:22.

Thou hast helped us (Psalms 44:1-3). Thou must help us (Psalms 44:4-8). Thou art not helping us (Psalms 44:9-16). We are not conscious of having done aught to forfeit Thy help (Psalms 44:17-22). We invoke Thy help (Psalms 44:23-26).

Psalms 44:3.Thy right hand (Deuteronomy 8:7-18) All that we are and have and hope for, is the gift of God’s undeserved mercy. We need not boast, but we need not fear to lose.

Psalms 44:4.Thou art my King!We cannot expect deliverances till we have made Christ our King.

Psalms 44:8-10.In God we boast all the daySometimes God takes away all sensible enjoyment and encouragement, to see whether we still cling to Him for Himself. Happy are we if we can adopt Psalms 44:18.

Psalms 44:20-21.If we have forgotten (Joshua 22:22).

Psalms 44:22. For Thy sake are we killed The path to victory lies through death and the grave.

Psalms 44:23. O Lord, arise! Though the Lord seem to sleep, it is in the stern of the boat. Do not be afraid. If He is with you, no storm can prevail to your destruction (Mark 4:40).