Psalm 44

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 44:4

Thou art my King, O God - literally, “Thou art He, my King, O God;” that is, Thou art the same: the same King, and the same God, who didst interpose in the time of the fathers, and thou art he whom I recognize as King, as the Sovereign Ruler of thy people. The psalmist here uses the singular number, “my King,” as expressive of his own feelings, though he doubtless means also to speak in the name of the people. It would seem not improbable from this, that the author of the psalm was the reigning... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 44:5

Through thee - By thy help. “Will we push down our enemies.” The word here rendered “push down” means literally to strike or push with the horns, spoken of horned animals, Exodus 21:28, Exodus 21:31-32. Then it is applied to a conqueror prostrating nations before him: Deu 33:17; 1 Kings 22:11.Through thy name - That is, acting under thine authority and by thy help. If he gave the commandment Psalms 44:4, it would be certain that they would be able to overcome their adversaries.Will we tread... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 44:6

For I will not trust in my bow - The author of the psalm himself again speaks as expressing his own feelings, and stating the grounds of his confidence and hope. Compare Psalms 44:4. At the same time he doubtless expresses the feelings of the people, and speaks in their name. He had said Psalms 44:3 that the ancestors of the Jewish people had not obtained possession of the promised land by any strength or skill of their own, and he now says that he, and those who were connected with him, did... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 44:7

But thou hast saved us from our enemies - That is, Thou hast done it in times past. Thou hast interposed in behalf of our nation in periods of danger and trial, and hast delivered us. This is stated as a reason for what is said by the psalmist in Psalms 44:6 - that he would not trust in his sword and in iris bow - and for the earnest appeal which he now makes to God. He and his people did not rely on their own strength and prowess, but on that God who had often interposed to save the nation.And... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 44:8

In God we boast all the day long - That is, continually or constantly. It is not a momentary or temporary expression of our feelings, but it is our habitual and constant employment. We have no other ground of reliance, and we express that reliance constantly. The word rendered “boast” here rather more literally means praise: “In God we praise all the day long.” The idea is, that he was their only ground of confidence. They ascribed all their former successes to him; they had no other reliance... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 44:9

But thou hast cast off - The author of the psalm now commences a description of the existing circumstances of the nation, so strongly in contrast with what had existed in former times when God interposed in their behalf, and when he gave them success. This is properly the commencement of the second part of the psalm, and the description is continued to Psalms 44:16. The Hebrew word here rendered “hast cast off” implies disgust and abhorrence, as the casting away of that which is loathsome. See... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 44:10

Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy - Instead of giving us the victory. That is, we are defeated.And they which hate us spoil for themselves - They plunder us; they take our property as spoil, and carry it away. That this was done at the time referred to in the introduction as the time of the composition of the psalm, is apparent from the narrative in the Book of Chronicles. 2 Chronicles 36:7, “Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the Lord to Babylon, and put them... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 44:11

Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat - Margin, as in Hebrew, “as sheep of meat.” That is, as sheep are killed for food, so thou hast allowed us to be put to death.And hast scattered us among the heathen - Among the surrounding nations. See the notes at Psalms 44:2. That is, they had been discomfited in war; many had fled into surrounding countries; many had been carried away captive. All this undoubtedly occurred at the time at which I have supposed that the psalm was written - the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 44:12

Thou sellest thy people for nought - Margin, without riches. Without gain, or advantage; that is, for no price that would be an equivalent. The people were given up to their enemies, but there was nothing in return that would be of equal value. The loss was in no way made up. They were taken away from their country and their homes. They were withdrawn from useful labor in the land; there was a great diminution of the national strength and of the national wealth; but there was no return to the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 44:13

Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbors - Compare the notes at Psalms 39:8. The word neighbors here refers to surrounding people or nations. They were reproached, scorned, and derided as forsaken by God, and given up to their foes. They no longer commanded the admiration of mankind as a prosperous, favored, happy people. Surrounding nations treated them with contempt as inspiring no fear, and as having nothing to entitle them to respect. read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 44:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 44:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 44:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 44:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 44:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 44:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 44:10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 44:11

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 44:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 44:13

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