Bible Chapter Summary
Psalm 44 Summary
From past victories to present defeat and complaint
The psalmist recalls how God's hand drove out heathen nations and planted Israel, delivering them not by their own strength but by God's right hand and countenance. Yet now God has cast them off, refuses to go forth with their armies, and has scattered them among the heathen like sheep for slaughter. Despite their affliction, the people testify that they have not forgotten God nor dealt falsely in His covenant, and they cry out to God to awake and arise for their help.
Key themes
Key verses
Psalms 44:1-3
“We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old. How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. For they got 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 hadst a favour unto them.”
Psalms 44:9
“But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies.”
Psalms 44:17
“All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.”
Psalms 44:26
“Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake.”
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