Psalms 44
The psalmist recalls God's past deliverances and mighty works, acknowledging that the people's victories were not due to their own strength, but to God's favor and power. However, the psalmist laments that God now seems to have rejected and humbled them, allowing their enemies to triumph over them. Despite their affliction, the people have not forgotten God or turned away from His covenant. The psalmist cries out to God to rise up and redeem them, not for their own merit, but for the sake of His name.
Unto the end. To the sons of Korah, toward understandingWe have heard, O God, with our own ears. Our fathers have announced to us the work that you wrought in their days and in the days of antiquityYour hand dispersed the Gentiles, and you transplanted them. You afflicted a people, and you expelled themFor they did not take possession of the land by their sword, and their own arm did not save them. But your right hand and your arm, and the light of your countenance did so, because you were pleased with themYou yourself are my king and my God, who commands the salvation of JacobWith you, we will brandish a horn before our enemies; and in your name, we will spurn those rising up against usFor I will not hope in my bow, and my sword will not save meFor you have saved us from those who afflict us, and you have bewildered those who hate usIn God, we will give praise all day long; and in your name, we will confess foreverBut now, you have rejected and bewildered us, and you will not go forth with our armies, O GodYou have turned our back to our enemies, and those who hated us have plundered for themselvesYou have given us over like sheep for food. You have scattered us among the GentilesYou have sold your people without a price, and no great number was exchanged for themYou have set us as a disgrace to our neighbors, a scoff and a derision to those who are around usYou have set us as a parable among the Gentiles, a shaking of the head among the peoplesAll day long my shame is before me, and the confusion of my face has covered mebefore the voice of the reproacher and the commentator, before the face of the adversary and the pursuerAll these things have come upon us, yet we have not forgotten you, and we have not acted unjustly in your covenantAnd our heart has not turned back. And you have not diverted our steps from your wayFor you humbled us in a place of affliction, and the shadow of death has covered usIf we have forgotten the name of our God, and if we have extended our hands to a foreign godwill not God find this out? For he knows the secrets of the heart. For, because of you, we are being killed all day long. We are considered as sheep for the slaughterRise up. Why do you fall asleep, O Lord? Rise up, and do not reject us in the endWhy do you turn your face away, and why do you forget our needfulness and our tribulationFor our soul has been humbled into the dust. Our belly has been bound to the earthRise up, O Lord. Help us and redeem us, because of your name
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