Psalms 44:23 - Exposition

Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? The psalmist does not really believe that Jehovah "sleeps." The heathen might so imagine of their gods ( 1 Kings 18:27 ), but not an Israelite. An Israelite would be sure that "he that keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps" ( Psalms 121:4 ). The writer consciously uses an anthropomorphism, really intending only to call on God to rouse himself from his inaction, and lay it aside, and come to Israel's aid. Arise (see Psalms 7:6 ; Psalms 9:19 ; Psalms 10:12 , etc.). Cast us not off for ever (comp. Psalms 44:9 ). Under the existing peril, for God to cast off his people will be to cast them off for ever . They had no strength of their own that could save them.