Psalms 44:1

¶ To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil. 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.

To the chief Musician {H5329}{H8764)} for the sons {H1121} of Korah {H7141}, Maschil {H4905}{H8688)}. We have heard {H8085}{H8804)} with our ears {H241}, O God {H430}, our fathers {H1} have told {H5608}{H8765)} us, what work {H6467} thou didst {H6466}{H8804)} in their days {H3117}, in the times {H3117} of old {H6924}.

For the leader. By the descendants of Korach. A maskil: God, we heard it with our ears; our fathers told us about it -a deed which you did in their days, back in days of old.

We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us the work You did in their days, in the days of old.

We have heard with our ears, O God, Our fathers have told us, What work thou didst in their days, In the days of old.

Psalm 44:1 initiates a poignant lament, setting the stage by recalling God's mighty acts in Israel's past. This verse serves as a crucial foundation for the psalm's subsequent plea for divine intervention in a time of national distress.

Context and Superscription

The superscription, "To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil," provides important background. The Chief Musician indicates this psalm was intended for public worship and musical performance, likely under the direction of the temple choirmaster. The Sons of Korah were a Levitical family, serving as temple musicians and gatekeepers (1 Chronicles 9:19), and are credited with composing several psalms, including Psalm 42 and Psalm 45. The term Maschil (Hebrew: מַשְׂכִּיל, maskil) suggests a psalm of instruction or contemplation, designed to impart wisdom or understanding, inviting the worshiper to reflect deeply on its message.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Oral Tradition and Historical Memory: The opening lines, "We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us," emphasize the vital role of oral tradition in preserving Israel's national and spiritual identity. Generations faithfully transmitted the accounts of God's interventions, ensuring that the younger generations understood their heritage and God's covenant faithfulness. This act of remembering is central to Israelite faith, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 6:7, which instructs parents to diligently teach their children.
  • God's Mighty Works in the Past: The phrase "what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old" refers to the miraculous deeds God performed for His people. This primarily includes the Exodus from Egypt, the conquest of Canaan, and other acts of divine deliverance. The psalmist grounds their present appeal in the undeniable historical evidence of God's past power and faithfulness.
  • Foundation for Lament: By beginning with a remembrance of God's past glory, the psalmist establishes a powerful rhetorical foundation for the lament that follows. The contrast between God's historical might and the current suffering of His people is intended to move God to act once more.

Practical Application

Psalm 44:1 reminds us of the importance of remembering and recounting God's faithfulness throughout history, both in biblical narratives and in our personal lives. Just as the Israelites passed down stories of God's "work," we are called to reflect on and share testimonies of His grace, provision, and deliverance. This act of remembering strengthens our faith in times of adversity, providing hope and a basis for prayer, knowing that the God who acted in the past is the same God who can act today (Hebrews 13:8).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 78:3

    Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

  • Psalms 78:6

    That the generation to come might know [them, even] the children [which] should be born; [who] should arise and declare [them] to their children:

  • Exodus 13:14

    And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What [is] this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:

  • Exodus 13:15

    And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.

  • Judges 6:13

    And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where [be] all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

  • Deuteronomy 6:20

    [And] when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What [mean] the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD our God hath commanded you?

  • Psalms 77:5

    I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.

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