Psalm Ps. 44. This is a hymn for times when God’s people as a whole have suffered some great calamity at the hands of their enemies. When the worshiping congregation sings this, they remind themselves of their privileged standing with God, of their obligation to faith and holiness, and of God’s unfailing loyalty to his purpose for them.
Ps. 44:1–8 The song opens by recalling the ways God has favored his people over the Gentiles in the past (vv. 2, 7). The people recognize that God’s special provision, not their own abilities, is responsible for their well-being (vv. 3, 6). They should boast in God and give thanks to his name forever (v. 8).
Ps. 44:9–16 In light of this past (vv. 1–8), the current situation is difficult to understand. God has apparently rejected his people (v. 9), no longer giving them success against their foes (v. 11).
Ps. 44:17–22 The pain of the situation is especially sharp because the community claims not to have forgotten God or to have been false to his covenant (v. 17). They acknowledge that if they had done so, God would know it and would be right to discipline them. The community is not, however, claiming absolute sinlessness.
Ps. 44:23–26 Remembering God’s history with his people strengthens the community to pray for his aid in the present. The last word is a request for God to redeem (see note on 25:22), for the sake of his steadfast love—a request that God is sure to honor.
The ESV Global Study Bible
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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.
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