Psalm 44: Jehovah Is Our Deliverer

Psalm 44 “is an earnest prayer to God to interpose and deliver His people from their enemies. The psalm has four sections: vs. 1–8, God’s goodness to Israel in days of old; vs. 9–16, the present sad plight of Israel; vs. 17–22, the psalmist’s contention that Israel has remained true to God; and vs. 23–26, the psalmist’s appeal to God to deliver Israel.” The Israelites were proud of their heritage. Father passed to his son the verbal history of God’s provident care of His people (v. 1). The tribes of Canaan had been cast out, and the Promised Land had been settled because God had gone before His people in battle (vv. 2, 3). God had always been with Israel, and the nation took great pride in this fact (vv. 4–8). Now Israel was again in dire straits (vv. 9–12).

The people were being slaughtered like sheep (vv. 11, 22).

It seemed God had sold Israel out (v. 12).

The surrounding nations mocked and derided them (vv. 13, 14).

Why was this happening (v. 15)? It was shameful that God’s enemies could blaspheme Him and Israel could do nothing (vv. 15, 16). David here argues that Israel does not deserve to be rejected (vv. 17–19). “It is difficult to understand how the psalmist could maintain that Israel had remained faithful, in the light of her continued defection.

Perhaps he means that although individuals—even a majority of them—had broken the covenant, still, as a nation, she had not formally disavowed God.” Yet the country had been laid to waste and was fit only for wild animals (v. 19). God knows what David is saying is true (v. 21). The Israelites have not broken the covenant; they are suffering simply because they are God’s people (v. 22). David pleads with God to awaken to the affliction of His people and come to their aid (vv. 23, 25). “Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies’ sake” (v. 26).

David believes God still loves Israel, but he just cannot comprehend God’s ways.

“Jesus, the very thought of Thee, / With sweetness fills my breast; / But sweeter far Thy face to see, / And in Thy presence rest.”