KJV

KJV

Click to Change

Return to Top

Return to Top

Printer Icon

Print

Prior Book Prior Chapter Back to Commentaries Author Bio & Contents Next Chapter Next Book
Cite Print
The Blue Letter Bible

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown :: Commentary on Psalm 44

Choose a new font size and typeface

The Book of Psalms

Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET

PSALM 44

Psa 44:1-26. In a time of great national distress, probably in David's reign, the Psalmist recounts God's gracious dealings in former times, and the confidence they had learned to repose in Him. After a vivid picture of their calamities, he humbly expostulates against God's apparent forgetfulness, reminding Him of their faithfulness and mourning their heavy sorrows.

      1-3. This period is that of the settlement of Canaan ( Jos 24:12 Jdg 6:3 ).
      have told--or, "related" (compare Exd 10:2 ).

      2. plantedst them--that is, "our fathers," who are also, from the parallel construction of the last clause, to be regarded as the object of "cast them out," which means--literally, "send" them out, or, "extend them." Heathen and people denote the nations who were driven out to make room for the Israelites.

      4. Thou art my King--literally, "he who is my King," sustaining the same covenant relation as to the "fathers."

      5. The figure drawn from the habits of the ox.

      6-8. God is not only our sole help, but only worthy of praise.

      7. put. . . to shame--(compare Psa 6:10 ), disgraced.

      8. thy name--as in Psa 5:11.

      9. But--contrasting, cast off as abhorrent ( Psa 43:2 ).
      goest not forth--literally, "will not go" ( 2Sa 5:23 ). In several consecutive verses the leading verb is future, and the following one past (in Hebrew), thus denoting the causes and effects. Thus ( Psa 44:10-12 ), when defeated, spoiling follows; when delivered as sheep, dispersion follows, &c.

      11. The Babylonian captivity not necessarily meant. There were others (compare 1Ki 8:46 ).

      13, 14. (Compare Deu 28:37 Psa 79:4 ).

      15. shame of. . . face--blushes in disgrace.

      16. Its cause, the taunts and presence of malignant enemies ( Psa 8:2 ).

      17-19. They had not apostatized totally--were still God's people.

      18. declined--turned aside from God's law.

      19. sore broken--crushed.
      place of dragons--desolate, barren, rocky wilderness ( Psa 63:10 Isa 13:22 ),
      shadow of death--(Compare Psa 23:4 ).

      20, 21. A solemn appeal to God to witness their constancy.
      stretched out. . . hands--gesture of worship ( Exd 9:29 Psa 88:9 ).

      22. Their protracted sufferings as God's people attests the constancy. Paul ( Rom 8:36 ) uses this to describe Christian steadfastness in persecution.

      23-26. This style of addressing God, as indifferent, is frequent ( Psa 3:7 9:19 13:1, &c.). However low their condition, God is appealed to, on the ground, and for the honor, of His mercy.

Introduction to Job ← Prior Book
Introduction to Proverbs Next Book →
Commentary on Psalm 43 ← Prior Chapter
Commentary on Psalm 45 Next Chapter →
BLB Searches
Search the Bible
KJV
 [?]

Advanced Options

Other Searches

Multi-Verse Retrieval
x
KJV

Daily Devotionals
x

Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness.

Daily Bible Reading Plans
x

Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year.

One-Year Plans

Two-Year Plan

CONTENT DISCLAIMER:

The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry.