Psalms Reading – 2.11.2022
Psalm 44
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil.
1 We have heard it with our ears, O God; our ancestors have told us
what you did in their days, in days long ago.
2 With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our ancestors;
you crushed the peoples and made our ancestors flourish.
3 It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory;
it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.
what you did in their days, in days long ago.
2 With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our ancestors;
you crushed the peoples and made our ancestors flourish.
3 It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory;
it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.
4 You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob.
5 Through you we push back our enemies, through your name we trample our foes.
6 I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory;
7 but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame.
8 In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.
5 Through you we push back our enemies, through your name we trample our foes.
6 I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory;
7 but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame.
8 In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.
9 But now you have rejected and humbled us; you no longer go out with our armies.
10 You made us retreat before the enemy, and our adversaries have plundered us.
11 You gave us up to be devoured like sheep and have scattered us among the nations.
12 You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale.
10 You made us retreat before the enemy, and our adversaries have plundered us.
11 You gave us up to be devoured like sheep and have scattered us among the nations.
12 You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale.
13 You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around us.
14 You have made us a byword among the nations; the peoples shake their heads at us.
15 I live in disgrace all day long, and my face is covered with shame
16 at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me, because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge.
14 You have made us a byword among the nations; the peoples shake their heads at us.
15 I live in disgrace all day long, and my face is covered with shame
16 at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me, because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge.
17 All this came upon us, though we had not forgotten you; we had not been false to your covenant.
18 Our hearts had not turned back; our feet had not strayed from your path.
19 But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals; you covered us over with deep darkness.
18 Our hearts had not turned back; our feet had not strayed from your path.
19 But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals; you covered us over with deep darkness.
20 If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god,
21 would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart?
22 Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.
21 would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart?
22 Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.
23 Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever.
24 Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression?
24 Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression?
25 We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground.
26 Rise up and help us; rescue us because of your unfailing love.
26 Rise up and help us; rescue us because of your unfailing love.
The psalmist remembers how God has been their strength and their light through their previous victories that were not the result of their own military prowess. However, they now find themselves retreating from their enemy. They have been plundered, overwhelmed, and are being scorned by their neighboring nations. In a culture that values honor, they are living in tremendous shame.
The psalmist would understand that this was God’s punishment if they had sinned, but he maintains they have not worshiped false gods. So, in great pain, he calls on God to awaken, to rise up, and rescue them because he knows God has unfailing love towards them.
Often when bad things happen, we think we are being punished. However, as this psalm reveals, there are times when we go through horrible circumstances just because we live in a fallen and broken world. God allows His people to experience trouble, pain, grief, and shame. We are not spared all the problems of this world. However, as the psalmist models, it is an opportunity for us to express our personal faith as we call out to God for help and declare that God’s love is still there for us regardless of our circumstances.
Memory Verse: Psalm 39:7, “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.”
Question(s) to Consider: When trouble comes, do you ask what you did to deserve this? In your innocence, will you continue in faith and call out to God in your challenging circumstances and declare his love for you?