But thou hast saved us from our enemies; or, dost save us. It is the voice of confident hope that speaks, not that of gratitude. And hast put them to shame that hated us ; rather, and puttest them to shame that hate us. The writer is sure that God will do in the future as he has done in the past, and will raise Israel up again from the low estate into which they have been brought by disaster. read more
In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy Name for ever. We boast of God as our God, who saves us, and puts to shame our enemies (see Psalms 44:7 ). read more
But thou hast cast off (comp. Psalms 43:2 ) and put us to shame (see also Psalms 44:16 ). It is the shame of defeat, rather than the physical pains or material losses, that grieve the writer . And goest not forth with our armies . Israel has still "armies" at her disposal. It is therefore certainly not the early Maccabean period, nor the time of the expiring monarchy. Her armies have free play, are sent forth, only God does not "go forth" with them (comp. Psalms 60:10 ). read more
These verses form the second stanza, and are a loud and bitter complaint. God has recently dealt with Israel exceptionally—has seemed to "cast them off," has "put them to shame," allowed them to be defeated and despoiled, slain and carried into captivity, made a scorn and a derision, a reproach and a byword. He no longer "goes forth with their armies," to secure them victory over their foes, but holds aloof, and covers them with confusion. The description implies, not a single defeat, but a... read more
Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy. Thou bringest it to pass that we turn our backs in shameful flight from the enemy, either making a feeble resistance or none at all. And they which hate us spoil for themselves. Spoil us of our arms and ornaments, which they seize and appropriate. read more
Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat. "As sheep for the shambles" (Kay)—a free translation, which well expresses the meaning. And hast scattered us among the heathen. Either "caused us to disperse ourselves among our heathen neighbours," or "to be sold for slaves among them by our captors." No general dispersion of the nation is intended. read more
Thou sellest thy people for nought ; literally, for not-wealth (comp. Jeremiah 15:13 ). The whole people is regarded, not as sold for slaves, but as delivered over to the will of their enemies; and all "for nought," God gaining nothing in exchange . Thou dost not increase thy wealth by their price . A repetition for the sake of emphasis, but adding no new idea. read more
Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours (comp. Psalms 42:10 ; Psalms 79:4 ; Psalms 80:6 ). They would be reproached, not so much as cowards, or as weak and powerless themselves, but rather as having a weak and powerless God . A scorn and a derision to them that are round about us . (For instances of the "scorn and derision" whereto the Israelites were exposed at the hands of the heathen, see 2 Kings 18:23 , 2 Kings 18:24 ; 2 Kings 19:23 , 2 Kings 19:24 ; Nehemiah 2:19 ;... read more
Thou makest us a byword among the heathen (comp. Job 17:6 ; Jeremiah 24:9 ). A shaking of the head among the people; rather, among the peoples (comp. Psalms 22:7 ). read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 44:6
For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me (comp. Psalms 44:3 ). My trust, i.e; shall not be in myself, but in thee. The sword and the bow were the ordinary weapons of Israel. read more