For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them (comp. Joshua 24:11 , Joshua 24:12 ): but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them (see Deuteronomy 4:37 , Deuteronomy 4:38 ; Joshua 24:11 , Joshua 24:18 ). read more
How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand - The word rendered “heathen” means simply nations without necessarily conveying the idea of paganism, as that word is now understood. It means the nations, to wit, of the land of Canaan, or the Canaanites; and as these nations were in fact idolaters, or strangers to the true religion, the word came in time to have that idea attached to it. It is in that sense that we use the term now, though the word nations would accurately express the... read more
For they got not the land in possession - The land of Canaan. The design of this verse is to illustrate the sentiment in the previous verse, that they owed their establishment in the promised land wholly to God. The fact that He had interposed in their behalf; that He had shown that he was able to discomfit their enemies, is appealed to as a reason why he should now interpose in a time of national danger and calamity. He who had driven out the nations in the days of their fathers; he who had... 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 44:0 Has God forgotten his people?Some national disaster has overtaken Israel and the people ask if God has deserted them. The tone of the psalm is not one of humility, but one of outspoken boldness in questioning God’s purposes. It shows some lack of faith and submission before God (cf. Romans 8:28,Romans 8:31-39). But God may yet be gracious and answer such a prayer.Through the words of the psalmist the people recall how God enabled their ancestors to conquer and inhabit Canaan (1-3).... read more
heathen = nations: i.e. the Canaanites. them: thy People Israel. people = peoples: i.e. the Canaanites. cast them out = spread them about (as a vine, Isaiah 5:0 ); "them" referring to Israel in both clauses. read more
But = For; giving the reason. See Structure above. Hebrew. ki, "for". a favour. Compare Deuteronomy 4:37 ; Deuteronomy 7:7-8 . read more
Psalms 44:2. How thou didst afflict, &c.— How thou didst enfeeble the nations, and spread them;—our fathers, Psalms 44:1. That is, madest them shoot forth their roots and branches, which they were enabled to do by enfeebling their enemies, as they were first planted in the place from whence they were removed. See Mudge and Houbigant. read more
Psalms 44:3. The light of thy countenance— This expression here seems to signify the special, the majestic presence of God, visibly presiding over the army of the Israelites, by a light shining cloud going before them and conducting them; so that the words here will be best rendered by the light of thy presence, and not by the light of thy countenance; which is the same with God's favour, the mention whereof follows in the next words, as the ground or reason of this his shining presence, and... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 44:2
How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand ; i.e. "by thy power." The conquest of Canaan is the historical fact referred to. And plantedst them (comp. Exodus 15:17 , "Thou wilt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance;" and see also Psalms 80:8 , "Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt; thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it"). How thou didst afflict the people; rather, the peoples , i.e. the Canaanitish nations. And cast them... read more