Psalms 44:1-26 - Exposition

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 effectual help will be granted in the present emergency.

In part 2. ( Psalms 60:9 -16) he describes the emergency itself.

In part 3. (verses 17-22) he urges the fact that it had not been brought about by any infidelity or rebellion on the part of his countrymen.

And in part 4. (verses 23-26) he makes his prayer for deliverance.

The style is throughout simple, pure, and noble, possessing all the characteristics of the best period of Hebrew poetry.