The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 44
In brief
Psalm 44 is a communal complaint of the sons of Korah. It begins by remembering what God did for the fathers: victory did not come from their sword but from his hand. Then the tone reverses: God seems to have abandoned his people, who are defeated, scattered and mocked. The people affirm that they have not forgotten their God. It ends with a cry: wake up, rise up, redeem us for the sake of your loving kindness.
The chapter in 4 parts
1We have heard with our ears, God; our fathers have told us what work you did in their days, in the days of old.
2You drove out the nations with your hand, but you planted them. You afflicted the peoples, but you spread them abroad.
3For they didn’t get the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them; but your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, because you were favorable to them.
4You are my King, God. Command victories for Jacob!
5Through you, will we push down our adversaries. Through your name, we will tread down those who rise up against us.
6For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
7But you have saved us from our adversaries, and have shamed those who hate us.
8In God we have made our boast all day long, we will give thanks to your name forever.
9But now you rejected us, and brought us to dishonor, and don’t go out with our armies.
10You make us turn back from the adversary. Those who hate us take plunder for themselves.
11You have made us like sheep for food, and have scattered us among the nations.
12You sell your people for nothing, and have gained nothing from their sale.
13You make us a reproach to our neighbors, a scoffing and a derision to those who are around us.
14You make us a byword among the nations, a shaking of the head among the peoples.
15All day long my dishonor is before me, and shame covers my face,
16at the taunt of one who reproaches and verbally abuses, because of the enemy and the avenger.
17All this has come on us, yet we haven’t forgotten you. We haven’t been false to your covenant.
18Our heart has not turned back, neither have our steps strayed from your path,
19though you have crushed us in the haunt of jackals, and covered us with the shadow of death.
20If we have forgotten the name of our God, or spread out our hands to a strange god,
21won’t God search this out? For he knows the secrets of the heart.
22Yes, for your sake we are killed all day long. We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter.
23Wake up! Why do you sleep, Lord? Arise! Don’t reject us forever.
24Why do you hide your face, and forget our affliction and our oppression?
25For our soul is bowed down to the dust. Our body clings to the earth.
26Rise up to help us. Redeem us for your loving kindness’ sake.
Key verses
For they didn’t get the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them; but your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, because you were favorable to them.
The ancestors' victory did not come from their strength but from God's right hand, his arm and the light of his face, because he loved them.
But now you rejected us, and brought us to dishonor, and don’t go out with our armies.
The word yet marks the turning point. After recalling past deliverances, the people see that God seems to have changed his attitude.
Yes, for your sake we are killed all day long. We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter.
The people suffer because of their faithfulness to God, not because of their sin. The apostle Paul cites this verse in Romans 8 to speak of believers' trials.
Wake up! Why do you sleep, Lord? Arise! Don’t reject us forever. Why do you hide your face, and forget our affliction and our oppression?
The people dare to say to God: wake up, why do you sleep? The Bible welcomes this frank complaint, which remains addressed to God.
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What the sermons say
Frequently asked questions about Psalm 44
What does Psalm 44 mean?
Psalm 44 expresses the bewilderment of a faithful people who nevertheless suffer defeat. It first recalls the victories God gave, then describes the present humiliation and affirms that the people have not abandoned God. It ends by asking God to rise up, without giving him a reason. It is a psalm of honesty in trial.
How can I pray or meditate on Psalm 44?
When you do not understand what you are going through, you can lean on this psalm. Start by remembering what God has already done for you, then tell him plainly what troubles you, as in verses 23 and 24. Finish with verse 26, relying on his kindness and not on your merits.
Why does Paul cite Psalm 44 in Romans 8?
In Romans 8:36, Paul cites verse 22 of the psalm, we are being put to death all day long, to show that believers' suffering is not a sign of abandonment. He then adds that nothing can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Who are the sons of Korah?
The sons of Korah are a family of Levites responsible for singing and for service in the sanctuary. Several psalms bear their name, including Psalms 42, 44 to 49 and 84 to 88. The title of Psalm 44 names them as authors, without saying which specific defeat the text alludes to.
Articles quoting Psalm 44
World English Bible translation — public domain.