Psalm 44:9-12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 44:10

Verse 10 10.Thou hast made us to turn back from the enemy. Here the people of God still further complain, that he had made them to flee before their enemies, and had given them up as a prey to be devoured by them. As the saints firmly believe that men are strong and valiant only in so far as God upholds them by his secret power, they also conclude, that when men flee, and are seized with trembling, it is God who strikes them with terror, so that the poor wretched creatures are deprived of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 44:11

Verse 11 To the same purpose is that other comparison, (verse 11) in which they say that they were given as sheep for food (141) By this the prophet intimates, that being already vanquished previous to the battle, they fell down, as it were, upon the earth before their enemies, ready to be devoured by them, (142) and not fit for any thing else than to gratify their insatiable cruelty. It ought to be observed, that when the faithful represent God as the author of their calamities, it is not in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 44:12

Verse 12 12Thou hast sold thy people, and not become rich. In saying that they were sold without any gain, it is meant that they were exposed to sale as slaves that are contemptible, and of no value. In the second clause, too, And hast not increased the price of them, there seems to be an allusion to the custom of exposing things to auction, and selling them to the highest bidder. We know that those slaves who were sold were not delivered to the buyers till the price of them had been increased... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 44:1-26

The occasion of the psalm is some serious reverse which the Israelites had sustained in a war with foreign enemies, but who were the enemies, and when exactly the reverse was sustained, are uncertain. No doubt there were many temporary reverses in the course of David's wars, after one of which the psalm may have been written. The psalm divides itself into four parts. In part 1. ( Psalms 60:1-8 ) the writer recounts God's mercies in the past, and from them confidently concludes that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 44:1-26

In the days of old. From this psalm we may learn three great lessons— I. WE ARE TAUGHT TO SEE GOD 'S HAND IN HISTORY . There is no such thing as chance. "The chapter of accidents," as some one has well said, "is the Bible of the fool." There are differences in the nations and the ages; but God is in all. We acknowledge how God was with the Jews; but we are not so ready to admit that he had to do just as really and truly with other peoples. The difference, in the case... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 44:1-26

A prayer for help against foreign enemies. The train of thought is this: "Thou hast helped us, thou must help us; but thou hast not helped us; yet have we not by any guilt on our part cut ourselves off from thy help; do thou therefore help us." The problem of suffering , as argued in this psalm, is similar to the problem in the Book of Job. That God should not help them — I. WAS INCONSISTENT WITS GOD 'S PAST TREATMENT OF THEM . (Verses 1-3.) Their fathers had told... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 44:9

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 44:9-16

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 44:10

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 44:11

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

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