Psalm 44:1-26
Q.1. What did the Psalmist remember about Israel’s past? How did Israel push back their enemies? Did he believe God could do it again? What did he resolve to do? – (Ps.44:1-8)
The Psalmist began with Israel’s history – O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us the work that You did in their days, in the days of old (Ps.44:1). This Psalm indicated that this was not the present experience of God’s people. He gave recognition to God for this and declared – 2 You with Your own hand drove out the nations … 3 For by their own sword they did not possess the land, and their own arm did not save them, but Your right hand and Your arm and the light of Your presence, for You favoured them (Ps.44:2-3). He was in no doubt that God could do it again, – 4 You are my King, O God … 5 Through You we will push back our adversaries … (Ps.44:4-5). In the light of this, he declared – In God we have boasted all day long, and we will give thanks to Your name forever (Ps.44:8). The Psalmist boasted that there was nothing wrong with what God had done.
Q.2. What was the Psalmist’s lament? Why were Israel’s circumstances hard to bear? What prompted them to stay true to God? What was his heart’s cry to God? – (Ps.44:9-26)
The Psalmist knew that he must face the reality of the here and now – 9 Yet You have rejected us and brought us to dishonour, and do not go out with our armies. 10 You cause us to turn back from the adversary; And those who hate us have taken spoil for themselves (Ps.44:9-10). What the Psalmist hated most was the ridicule to which Israel was exposed (Ps.44:13-16). He reminded the Lord that they have maintained their faithfulness to Him in spite of their circumstances. – 20 If we had forgotten the name of our God or extended our hands to a strange god, 21 Would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart (Ps.44:20-21). He ruefully complained – for Your sake we are killed all day long; We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered (Ps.44:22). Paul quoted this in order to contrast the trials of life compared with the overwhelming victory we have through the love of Christ (c.f. Rom.8:36). Out of these depths of despair and feelings of rejection the Psalmist’s heart cried out – Rise up, be our help, and redeem us for the sake of Your lovingkindness (Ps.44:26 c.f. Rom.8:31-39).