Psalms 44:1

PSALM 44

THE MYSTERY OF GOD'S SUFFERING SAINTS

We shall refrain from discussing the multiple opinions about when this psalm was written, by whom, and upon what occasion. This writer professes no special ability for resolving the problem of the divergent views; and, besides, in the great majority of instances, the resolution of such questions adds very little to the proper understanding and appreciation of what is written. "The deepest and most precious elements in the Psalms are very slightly affected by the answers to such questions."[1]

This does not indicate any lack of appreciation on our part for the kind of research scholars do toward finding the true answers to such questions; it only means that we find many reasons for loving and appreciating the Psalms regardless of `When'? `Where'? `By whom'? and `Upon what occasion'? a particular psalm might have been written.

The dates for this psalm which have been seriously proposed by able scholars are as follows. (1) "The times of the Maccabees was the date preferred by Calvin and others. (2) The reign of Jehoiachin was advocated by Tholuck. (3) Canon Cook argued for the times of David. (4) The reigns of Jehoram or Joshua are chosen by some."[2] Ash included the "reign of Hezekiah"[3] as another proposed date.

Since the historical setting is apparently unknown and impossible of discovery, it seems a very futile exercise to "guess" at what it was and then to elaborate deductions based upon the "guess."

We believe the New Testament provides the key for understanding this remarkable psalm. The problem that dominates it was identified by McCaw as, "The problem of the undeserved sufferings of godly people,"[4] along with the astounding fact that such is in keeping with the will of God!

This mystery was pointed out by the apostle Paul who also provided the solution.

"For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter" - Romans 8:36.

This quotation of Paul from Psalms 44:22 here states what the mystery is. And then he gave the solution: "In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us" (Romans 8:37). Paul's quotation identifies the undeserved sufferings of 1Century Christians with those of the Old Israel featured in this psalm.

This makes it evident that the study of the sufferings of both the Old Israel and the New Israel of God, along with the reasons that apparently lay back of them, will yield for us the greatest profit. The sufferings of both Israels are here said to be, "for God's sake," because God desired it to be so, a truth evident in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.

RECORD OF GOD'S PAST MERCIES

Psalms 44:1-8

"We have heard with our ears, O God,

Our fathers have told us,

What work thou didst in their days,

In the days of old.

Thou didst drive out the nations with thy hand;

But them thou didst plant:

Thou didst afflict the peoples;

But them thou didst spread abroad.

For they gat not the land in possession by their own sword,

Neither did their own arm save them;

But thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance,

Because thou wast favorable unto them.

Thou art my King, O God:

Command deliverance for Jacob.

Through thee will we push down our adversaries:

Through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.

For I will not trust in my bow,

Neither shall my sword save me.

But thou hast saved me from our adversaries,

And hast put them to shame that hate us.

In God have we made our boast all the day long,

And we will give thanks unto thy name forever."

The first three verses here are a thumb nail recapitulation of the victories of Israel in their conquest of Canaan. The psalmist frankly acknowledges that their victories were all the result of God's providential aid and that they themselves were not the ones who won Canaan; God gave it to them. It was God's work, not theirs.

"Command Deliverance for Jacob" (Psalms 44:4). The marginal reading here for `deliverance' is `victories,' indicating that what the psalmist prayed for was more victories like those which marked Joshua's leading Israel into Canaan. He also desired to trample his enemies under foot.

"We will tread them under" (Psalms 44:5). "`Having pushed our foes to the ground, we shall then be able to tread them under,' The imagery is drawn from the practice of buffaloes and wild bulls."[5]

The last four books of the Pentateuch are a record of what is summarized here in these 8 verses. The psalmist, and all Israel, were familiar with the historical delivery of Israel from Egyptian slavery and with God's replacing the pagan nations of Canaan with the Chosen People. These first eight verses conclude with what amounts to a prayer that "God will do it again" for Israel.