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Psalms 44:1 open_in_new
Title. For the sons of Korah. The second of eleven so ascribed. See note on Title, Psalms 42, App-63. Maschil. Instruction. The third of thirteen Psalms so named. See note on Psalms 32, Title, and App-65. See note on Psalms 42, Title.
We have heard. Refers to the exodus. No time in reigns of David or Solomon to suit this Psalm. Temple-worship carried on. People in the land. Israel gone astray. Judah had turned away, but had returned (Psalms 44:17-18). The Psalm suits Hezekiah only. Sennacherib and Rab-shakeh referred to in Psalms 44:16. See the cylinder of Sennacherib (App-67.)
God. Hebrew Elohim. App-4.
told us. rehearsed. Compare Exodus 12:26; Exodus 13:14; Joshua 4:6-7.
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Psalms 44:2 open_in_new
heathen. nations: i.e. the Canaanites.
them: thy People Israel.
people. peoples: i.e. the Canaanites.
cast them out. spread them about (as. vine, Isaiah 5); "them" referring to Israel in both clauses.
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Psalms 44:3 open_in_new
But. For; giving the reason. See Structure above. Hebrew. ki, "for".
a favour. Compare Deuteronomy 4:37; Deuteronomy 7:7-8.
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Psalms 44:4 open_in_new
Thou. Thou Thyself.
art my King. art He my King.
deliverances. Plural of majesty. a great deliverance.
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Psalms 44:5 open_in_new
enemies. adversaries.
Thy name. See note on Psalms 20:1.
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Psalms 44:6 open_in_new
trust. confide. Hebrew. batah. App-69.
bow... sword. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for military science. Compare 2 Kings 19:32.
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Psalms 44:7 open_in_new
But. For, as in Psalms 44:3.
hast saved. didst save. Referring to verses: Psalms 44:1-4.
hast put. didst put. Referring to verses: Psalms 44:1-4.
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Psalms 44:8 open_in_new
boast. have boasted.
Selah. Connecting the wondrous past with the distressing present, introducing the reason which called forth the Psalm itself, and marking the important break determining the Structure. See App-66.
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Psalms 44:9 open_in_new
But. But now. Hebrew. 'aph (not ki, as in Psalms 44:3 and Psalms 44:7). Very emphatic, marking great contrast, as in Psalms 68:16 ("Yea"). Some codices, with Aramaean, read "Howbeit".
cast off (as with contempt). Compare Psalms 43:2. Some codices, with Syriac, read "cast us off".
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Psalms 44:10 open_in_new
spoil for themselves. have plundered at their will; first occurrence Judges 2:14. See Sennacherib's boast on his cylinder. App-67. Some codices, with Aram, and Syriac, read "plundered us", &c.
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Psalms 44:11 open_in_new
sheep appointed for meat. Hebrew sheep of devouring. Genitive of Relation (App-17). Compare Romans 8:36.
scattered us. Israel had already been removed. Sennacherib says he had taken away 200,150 (App-67).
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Psalms 44:13 open_in_new
a reproach. Compare Rab-shakeh's harangue (2 Kings 18:27-35) with verses: Psalms 44:13; Psalms 44:14. See App-67.
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Psalms 44:16 open_in_new
avenger. him that taketh vengeance. Compare Psalms 8:2. Here. Sennacherib.
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Psalms 44:18 open_in_new
steps. goings. Plural in many codices, with one early printed edition, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate; but some codices, with nine early printed editions, read singular.
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Psalms 44:19 open_in_new
place of dragons. place of jackals. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for. desert place.
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Psalms 44:20 open_in_new
name. See note on Psalms 20:1.
GOD. Hebrew El. Quoted in App-4.
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Psalms 44:22 open_in_new
Yea. Surely. Quoted in Romans 8:36.
LORD *. Primitive text read "Jehovah". Altered by the Sopherim to "Adonai". See App-32. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "Jehovah".
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Psalms 44:25 open_in_new
our soul is. we ourselves are. Hebrew. nephesh.
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Psalms 44:26 open_in_new
Arise. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia.
redeem. deliver. Hebrew. padah, See notes on Exodus 6:6; Exodus 13:13.
mercies. = mercy's, or lovingkindness.
To the chief Musician. See App-64. Written by Hezekiah for his special circumstances; but on account of verses: Psalms 44:1-8 was handed over for general use at the Feast of the Passover. See note below.
upon. relating to, or concerning.
Shoshannim. Lilies. Put by Figure of speech Metalepsis for "Spring", and "Spring" put for the great spring festival, the Passover. See App-65.