PSALM 44
. 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.
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
Psalms 6:10), disgraced.
9. But—contrasting, cast
off as abhorrent (Psalms 43:2).
goest not forth—literally,
"will not go" (2 Samuel 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 (2 Samuel 5:23), when defeated, spoiling follows; when delivered as
sheep, dispersion follows, &c.
11. The Babylonian captivity not
necessarily meant. There were others (compare ).
15. shame of . . . face—blushes
in disgrace.
16. Its cause, the taunts and
presence of malignant enemies ().
17-19. They had not apostatized
totally—were still God's people.
18. declined—turned aside from
God's law.
20, 21. A solemn appeal to God
to witness their constancy.
stretched out . . .
hands—gesture of worship (Exodus 9:29;
Psalms 88:9).
22. Their protracted sufferings
as God's people attests the constancy. Paul () uses this to describe Christian steadfastness in
persecution.
23-26. This style of addressing
God, as indifferent, is frequent (Psalms 3:7;
Psalms 9:19; Psalms 13:1,
&c.). However low their condition, God is appealed to, on the
ground, and for the honor, of His mercy.
PSALM 44
. 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 (Joshua 24:12; Judges 6:3).
have told—or, "related" (compare Exodus 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.
1-3. This period is that of the settlement of Canaan (Joshua 24:12; Judges 6:3).
have told—or, "related" (compare Exodus 10:2).
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 Psalms 6:10), disgraced.
8. thy name—as in .
9. But—contrasting, cast off as abhorrent (Psalms 43:2).
goest not forth—literally, "will not go" (2 Samuel 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 (2 Samuel 5:23), when defeated, spoiling follows; when delivered as sheep, dispersion follows, &c.
11. The Babylonian captivity not necessarily meant. There were others (compare ).
13, 14. (Compare Deuteronomy 28:37; Psalms 79:4).
15. shame of . . . face—blushes in disgrace.
16. Its cause, the taunts and presence of malignant enemies ().
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 (Psalms 63:10; Isaiah 13:22),
shadow of death—(Compare Psalms 23:4).
20, 21. A solemn appeal to God to witness their constancy.
stretched out . . . hands—gesture of worship (Exodus 9:29; Psalms 88:9).
22. Their protracted sufferings as God's people attests the constancy. Paul () uses this to describe Christian steadfastness in persecution.
23-26. This style of addressing God, as indifferent, is frequent (Psalms 3:7; Psalms 9:19; Psalms 13:1, &c.). However low their condition, God is appealed to, on the ground, and for the honor, of His mercy.