Psalms 44:1-26 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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Bible Comments

XLIV. A National Prayer in Unmerited Distress. The Ps. evidently depicts the situation of Israel under Antiochus Epiphanes [but see OTJC 2, pp. 207f., 437- 440. A. S. P.] So much was plain long ago to the Antiochene Fathers and at a later date to Calvin. Antiochus promulgated a decree enforcing unity of worship in his dominions and especially in Palestine. He also polluted the Temple at Jerusalem by heathen sacrifice. He encountered fierce opposition from the Asidæ ans (= Hasidim), led by the Maccabees, and died in 164 B.C. without effecting his purpose (p. 607). This Ps. was written when the cause of the faithful Jews was under a temporary cloud. The following are the chief points which enable us to place it with confidence in Maccabean times. (a) The Jews have an army of their own, and therefore enjoy some measure of independent government, but at the same time many of their brethren are scattered among the nations (Psalms 44:11). (b) Israel suffers, though faithful to its covenant with its God (Psalms 44:17 f.). (c) There is no idolatry among the Jews (Psalms 44:20). (d) The Jews are suffering religious persecution for, so far as we know, the first time. They are killed for the sake of their God and their Law. For thy sake are we killed all the day long (Psalms 44:22). The earlier enemies of Israel and Judah, viz. the Assyrians, Babylonians, and the Greek successors of Alexander down to the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, had shown no inclination to interfere with the Jewish religion as such. To what period in the Maccabean age does this Ps. belong? Possibly to the time which followed hard on the defeat and death of Judas Maccabæ us (p. 608). But no certain answer can be given.

Psalms 44:1-3. God's wonderful work in olden days, when He uprooted the peoples of Canaan and planted the Israelites in their place.

Psalms 44:2. drive out: read, root out. afflict: read, break down.Thou didst spread them (i.e. the Israelites) abroad. The image is that of a tree spreading its branches.

Psalms 44:4-8. Petition for renewed help: the people of Israel rely on God alone.

Psalms 44:9-16. The present distress.

Psalms 44:12 b. Thou hast not made their price great. We learn from 1Ma_3:41 that slave-dealers followed the Syrian army to purchase the captive Israelites as slaves.

Psalms 44:14. The shaking of the head was a gesture of scorn (cf. Psalms 22:7).

Psalms 44:17-22. The misery is quite undeserved. The Jews have been faithful to the covenant.

Psalms 44:19. place of jackals, i.e. in desolate ruins such as jackals haunt.

Psalms 44:23-26. A renewed cry for Divine help.

Related Commentaries of Psalms 44:1

Psalms 44:1-26

1 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.

2 How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.

3 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.

4 Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.

5 Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.

6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.

7 But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.

8 In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.

9 But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies.

10 Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves.

11 Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen.

12 Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price.

13 Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.

14 Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.

15 My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,

16 For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.

17 All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.

18 Our heart is not turned back, neither have our stepsa declined from thy way;

19 Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.

20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;

21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

22 Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.

23 Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.

24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?

25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth.

26 Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake.