For our soul is bowed down to the dust - That is, We are overborne with calamity, so that we sink to the earth. The expression is one that denotes great affliction.Our belly cleaveth unto the earth - We are like animals that are prone upon the earth, and that cannot rise. The allusion may be to reptiles that cannot stand erect. The figure is intended to denote great prostration and affliction. read more
Arise for our help - Margin, as in Hebrew, “a help for us.” That is, Deliver us from our present calamities and troubles.And redeem us - Save us; deliver us. See Psalms 25:22, note; Psalms 31:5, note; Isaiah 1:27, note; Isaiah 52:3, note.For thy mercies’ sake - On account of thy mercies. That is, in order that thy mercy may be manifested; or that thy character, as a God of mercy, may be made known. It was not primarily or mainly on their own account that the psalmist urges this prayer; it was... read more
A.M. 2981. B.C. 1023. This is the third of those Psalms called MASCHIL, and the second of those directed to the sons of Korah; but it does not seem to have been composed by David, as the two foregoing were. For, in his days, the Israelites were not oppressed by foreign enemies, as the psalmist here complains, in the name of the whole church, they were to such a degree that some of them were made slaves, others killed, and all of them become a reproach. “Yet I do not think,” says Bishop... read more
Psalms 44:1. We have heard with our ears, &c. “We have been certainly informed, O Lord, by our fathers, and we believe what they have told us, not only concerning the wonderful works thou didst in their times, but in the ages long before them; as our ancestors, who lived in those days, have recorded.” It is a debt which every age owes to posterity, to keep an account of God’s works of wonder, and transmit the knowledge of them to the next generation. As those that went before us told us... read more
Psalms 44:2-3. How thou didst drive out the heathen, &c. The seven nations of the Canaanites out of Canaan, and settled in their stead thy people Israel, whom thou didst transplant thither from Egypt. Didst afflict the people The heathen; and cast them out. They got not the land, &c., by their own sword That is, by their arms or valour. But thy right hand, &c ., and the light of thy countenance Thy favour, as the next words explain it; thy gracious and glorious presence,... read more
Psalms 44:4-8. Thou art my king, O God And thou, O God, who didst such astonishing things for them, art still the very same almighty Being, whom I honour as my sovereign, my governor, and protector. The whole people speak as one man, being united together in one body. Command That is, effectually procure by thy commanding word, deliverances for Jacob For the posterity of Jacob, the Israelites. Through thee will we push down our enemies Hebrew, ננגח , nenaggeeach, cornu feriemus, we... read more
Psalms 44:9-10. But thou hast cast us off Now thy countenance and course are quite changed to us; and hast put us to shame Hast made us ashamed of our boasting and trust in thee, which we have often professed to the face of our enemies. And goest not forth with our armies To lead them and fight for them, as this phrase signifies, Judges 4:14; 1 Samuel 8:20. He seems to allude to God’s marching with and before the Israelites in the wilderness, and afterward as occasion was offered,... read more
Psalms 44:11-14. Thou hast given us like sheep, &c. Some of us they killed in the pursuit, without any mercy, like sheep appointed for the shambles. And hast scattered us among the heathen Those of us who were not slain have been carried into captivity, and dispersed in several places. Thou sellest thy people for naught Sufferest them to be sold for slaves at very inconsiderable prices. The expression implies the low esteem in which they were with God. And dost not increase thy... read more
Psalms 44:15-16. My confusion is continually before me I cannot open my eyes but the tokens of our disgrace present themselves before me; and the shame of my face hath covered me These things have made me so ashamed, that I do not willingly show my face. For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth I can hear nothing but reproachful words against us, and blasphemous words against thee and thy religion, for our sakes; which is intolerable to me; by reason of the enemy and... read more
Get a Bible verse delivered to your inbox every day!
Read on Mobile
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 44:24
Wherefore hidest thou thy face? - See the notes at Psalms 13:1. Why dost thou turn away from us, and refuse to aid us, and leave us to these unpitied sufferings?And forgettest our affliction and our oppression - Our trials, and the wrongs that are committed against us. These are earnest appeals. They are the pleadings of the oppressed and the wronged. The language is such as man would use in addressing his fellow-men; and, when applied to God, it must be understood as such language. As used in... read more