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Commentary on Psalms 44 verses 17–26
The people of God, being greatly afflicted and oppressed, here apply to him; whither else should they go?
I. By way of appeal, concerning their integrity, which he only is an infallible judge of, and which he will certainly be the rewarder of. Two things they call God to witness to: -
1.That, though they suffered these hard things, yet they kept close to God and to their duty (Psa 44:17): "All this has come upon us, and it is as bad perhaps as bad can be, yet have we not forgotten thee, neither cast off the thoughts of thee nor deserted the worship of thee; for, though we cannot deny but that we have dealt foolishly, yet we have not dealt falsely in thy covenant, so as to cast thee off and take to other gods. Though idolaters were our conquerors, we did not therefore entertain any more favourable thoughts of their idols and idolatries; though thou hast seemed to forsake us and withdraw from us, yet we have not therefore forsaken thee." The trouble they had been long in was very great: "We have been sorely broken in the place of dragons, among men as fierce, and furious, and cruel, as dragons. We have been covered with the shadow of death, that is, we have been under deep melancholy and apprehensive of nothing short of death. We have been wrapped up in obscurity, and buried alive; and thou hast thus broken us, thou hast thus covered us (Psa 44:19), yet we have not harboured any hard thoughts of thee, nor meditated a retreat from thy service. Though thou hast slain us, we have continued to trust in thee: Our heart has not turned back; we have not secretly withdrawn our affections from thee, neither have our steps, either in our religious worship or in our conversation, declined from they way (Psa 44:18), the way which thou hast appointed us to walk in." When the heart turns back the steps will soon decline; for it is the evil heart of unbelief that inclines to depart from God. Note, We may the better bear our troubles, how pressing soever, if in them we still hold fast our integrity. While our troubles do not drive us from our duty to God we should not suffer them to drive us from our comfort in God; for he will not leave us if we do not leave him. For the proof of their integrity they take God's omniscience to witness, which is as much the comfort of the upright in heart as it is the terror of hypocrites (Psa 44:20, Psa 44:21): "If we have forgotten the name of our God, under pretence that he had forgotten us, or in our distress have stretched out our hands to a strange god, as more likely to help us, shall not God search this out? Shall he not know it more fully and distinctly than we know that which we have with the greatest care and diligence searched out? Shall he not judge it, and call us to an account for it?" Forgetting God was a heart-sin, and stretching our the hand to a strange god was often a secret sin, Eze 8:12. But heart-sins and secret sins are known to God, and must be reckoned for; for he knows the secrets of the heart, and therefore is a infallible judge of the words and actions.
2.That they suffered these hard things because they kept close to God and to their duty (Psa 44:22): "It is for thy sake that we are killed all the day long, because we stand related to thee, are called by thy name, call upon thy name, and will not worship other gods." In this the Spirit of prophecy had reference to those who suffered even unto death for the testimony of Christ, to whom it is applied, Rom 8:36. So many were killed, and put to such lingering deaths, that they were in the killing all the day long; so universally was this practised that when a man became a Christian he reckoned himself as a sheep appointed for the slaughter.
II. By way of petition, with reference to their present distress, that God would, in his own due time, work deliverance for them. 1. Their request is very importunate: Awake, arise, Psa 44:23. Arise for our help; redeem us (Psa 44:26); come speedily and powerfully to our relief, Psa 80:2. Stir up thy strength, and come and save us. They had complained (Psa 44:12) that God had sold them; here they pray (Psa 44:26) that God would redeem them; for there is no appealing from God, but by appealing to him. If he sell us, it is not any one else that can redeem us; the same hand that tears must heal, that smites must bind up, Hos 6:1. They had complained (Psa 44:9), Thou hast cast us off; but here they pray (Psa 44:23), "Cast us not off forever; let us not be finally forsaken of God." 2. The expostulations are very moving: Why sleepest thou? Psa 44:23. He that keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps; but, when he does not immediately appear for the deliverance of his people, they are tempted to think he sleeps. The expression is figurative (as Psa 78:65, Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep); but it was applicable to Christ in the letter (Mat 8:24); he was asleep when his disciples were in a storm, and they awoke him, saying, Lord, save us, we perish. "Wherefore hidest thou thy face, that we may not see thee and the light of thy countenance?" Or, "that thou mayest not see us and our distresses? Thou forgettest our affliction and our oppression, for it still continues, and we see no way open for our deliverance." And, 3. The pleas are very proper, not their own merit and righteousness, though they had the testimony of their consciences concerning their integrity, but they plead the poor sinner's pleas. (1.) Their own misery, which made them the proper objects of the divine compassion (Psa 44:25): "Our soul is bowed down to the dust under prevailing grief and fear. We have become as creeping things, the most despicable animals: Our belly cleaves unto the earth; we cannot lift up ourselves, neither revive our own drooping spirits nor recover ourselves out of our low and sad condition, and we lie exposed to be trodden on by every insulting foe." 2. God's mercy: "O redeem us for they mercies' sake; we depend upon the goodness of thy nature, which is the glory of thy name (Exo 34:6), and upon those sure mercies of David which are conveyed by the covenant to all his spiritual seed."
"And the shadow of death has covered us" [Psalm 44:19]. For this mortality of ours is but the "shadow" of death. The true death is condemnation with the devil.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 44:19 captures the agonizing lament of a community that feels profoundly devastated and abandoned by God, despite their unwavering covenant faithfulness. The verse paints a stark picture of their experience, declaring they have been "sore broken" in a perilous, desolate land, enveloped by the pervasive and imminent threat of death, serving as a poignant and bewildered expression of national suffering within the broader communal lament of the psalm.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalms 44 is a communal lament, one of the most intense and transparent expressions of national suffering found in the Psalter. The psalm opens with a powerful recollection of God's glorious acts of deliverance in Israel's past, emphasizing that it was divine power, not human strength, that secured their inheritance and victories (Psalms 44:1-8). This triumphant memory, however, stands in stark contrast to their bewildering present reality. The community describes experiencing severe military defeat, profound humiliation, and a sense of being forsaken, even "sold" into slavery (Psalms 44:9-16). Crucially, they assert their innocence and continued covenant faithfulness, vehemently denying any apostasy or turning away from God's commands (Psalms 44:17-18). Verse 19, therefore, marks the climax of their desperate plea, articulating the depth of their physical and existential peril, setting the stage for the urgent cry for divine intervention that concludes the psalm.
Historical & Cultural Context: The precise historical setting for Psalm 44 remains a subject of scholarly debate, but it clearly reflects a period of profound national catastrophe for Israel. Proposed contexts range from the Babylonian Exile, the post-exilic period under Persian or Hellenistic rule, or even the Maccabean era, where the people faced severe persecution and military defeat despite their devotion to the Law. Culturally, the phrase "place of dragons" (Hebrew: tannîyn) evokes imagery of desolate wildernesses, ruins, or chaotic regions, often associated with danger, wild predatory animals, or even malevolent forces. This imagery would have resonated deeply with an ancient Near Eastern audience, signifying a place utterly devoid of divine protection and teeming with hostile threats. To be "covered with the shadow of death" (Hebrew: tsalmâveth) speaks to a pervasive sense of mortal peril and despair, a state where life itself is threatened, and hope seems extinguished. This communal lament reflects the deep covenantal relationship Israel had with God, where national well-being was understood as a sign of divine favor, and suffering, therefore, raised profound theological questions about God's justice and faithfulness.
Key Themes: This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Psalm 44 and the broader biblical narrative. The primary theme is Lament and Honest Suffering, demonstrating that it is permissible, even necessary, for God's people to articulate their deepest pain, confusion, and even perceived abandonment to Him, without pretense. It highlights the theme of Perceived Divine Abandonment, a profound tension where the faithful feel forsaken despite their loyalty, challenging the simplistic notion that suffering is always a direct result of sin. The vivid imagery of being "sore broken" and "covered with the shadow of death" underscores the theme of Profound National and Communal Distress, reflecting not just individual pain but the collective agony of a people facing existential threat. Furthermore, the verse, by contrasting with the earlier remembrance of God's past victories, reinforces the theme of God's Sovereignty and Unfathomable Ways, forcing the community to grapple with how a powerful, covenant-keeping God could allow such devastation. This tension ultimately drives the psalm's desperate plea for God to "Awake!" and intervene (Psalms 44:23).
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 44:19 employs powerful Imagery to convey the overwhelming depth of the community's suffering. The phrases "sore broken us," "place of dragons," and "shadow of death" create vivid mental pictures of utter devastation, extreme peril, and pervasive despair. The use of Metaphor is central, with "dragons" serving as a metaphor for hostile, destructive forces, desolate territories, or even chaotic, demonic powers, and "shadow of death" as a potent metaphor for overwhelming mortal peril and profound despair. The psalmist also utilizes Hyperbole to emphasize the extreme nature of their suffering, suggesting a level of breaking and being enveloped by death's shadow that transcends literal description, underscoring the raw emotional intensity of their lament. The direct address "thou hast" also demonstrates Apostrophe, as the psalmist speaks directly to God, expressing their raw pain and perceived divine agency in their suffering, a bold and intimate form of communication.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 44:19 stands as a stark theological challenge, probing the depths of the problem of suffering, particularly when it afflicts the righteous and faithful. It forces a confrontation with the tension between God's covenant faithfulness and the bewildering reality of His people's devastation. The verse validates the experience of profound lament, demonstrating that genuine faith does not preclude honest cries of pain, confusion, and even accusation towards God when His actions or perceived inaction seem contrary to His character or promises. It underscores the biblical truth that suffering is a complex phenomenon, not always a direct consequence of sin, and that God's ways are often inscrutable, leading His people through "places of dragons" and "shadows of death" for purposes beyond immediate human comprehension. Ultimately, it serves as a testament to the enduring, though strained, relationship between God and His people, even in the darkest valleys, a relationship robust enough to bear such raw honesty.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 44:19 offers profound validation and comfort for those experiencing deep, inexplicable suffering, whether on a personal or communal level. It reminds us that even the most faithful can find themselves "sore broken" in "places of dragons"—metaphorical hostile environments, severe illnesses, overwhelming grief, profound spiritual darkness, or periods of intense persecution. This verse grants us permission to lament honestly before God, to articulate our pain, confusion, and even our feelings of abandonment, especially when God's actions or perceived inaction seem contrary to His promises. It is a powerful model for raw, unvarnished prayer, acknowledging the harsh realities of a fallen world while still clinging, however tenuously, to the hope of divine intervention. It encourages us not to suppress our pain or pretend to be strong when we are weak, but to bring our deepest anguish directly to the One who ultimately holds all power, trusting that even in the "shadow of death," His presence, though unseen, remains. This psalm, and particularly this verse, teaches us that authentic faith is not the absence of doubt or suffering, but the courage to voice our deepest anguish to God, believing He hears and will ultimately respond in His perfect timing and way.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "the place of dragons" literally and symbolically mean in this context?
Answer: Literally, "dragons" (Hebrew: tannîyn) can refer to jackals, wild dogs, large serpents, or even sea monsters. These creatures are associated with desolate, ruined, or wilderness areas, places considered dangerous and uninhabitable by humans. Symbolically, "the place of dragons" represents a territory of extreme danger, desolation, and hostility. It signifies a place where God's protective presence seems absent, and destructive forces, whether natural, human (like enemy nations), or even spiritual, hold sway. It is a powerful metaphor for a situation or environment that is utterly perilous and threatening to life and well-being, where the community feels exposed and vulnerable to overwhelming evil, echoing the chaos of creation before God brought order (Genesis 1:2).
Is it acceptable for believers to question God or express such deep despair, as seen in Psalms 44:19?
Answer: Yes, the Psalms, including Psalms 44, provide a profound biblical precedent for expressing raw, honest lament and even questioning God in times of deep suffering. This verse, and indeed the entire psalm, demonstrates that authentic faith does not require suppressing pain, doubt, or confusion. Instead, it invites believers to bring their full emotional reality, including despair and perceived abandonment, directly to God. This open communication is a sign of a trusting relationship, where the psalmist believes God is capable of handling their accusations and will ultimately respond. It teaches that true faith includes the freedom to wrestle with God in the midst of suffering, rather than pretending everything is fine or that one's faith is unwavering when it is being severely tested. This kind of honest lament is a pathway to deeper intimacy with God, as seen in the laments of Job and Jeremiah as well (Job 3:1; Jeremiah 20:7-18).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 44:19, with its heart-wrenching cry of being "sore broken in the place of dragons, and covered with the shadow of death," finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest resonance in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist laments a national catastrophe, Christ Himself entered the ultimate "place of dragons"—a world dominated by sin, death, and the powers of darkness (Colossians 1:13). He was "sore broken" not for His own sin, but for ours, enduring the crushing weight of divine judgment and the physical agony of the cross (Isaiah 53:5). His agonizing cry on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46), echoes the psalmist's sense of divine abandonment, yet it was a necessary descent into the "shadow of death" to conquer it from within. Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), willingly allowed Himself to be covered by the very darkness of death, only to emerge victorious, shattering its power and delivering all who believe from its dominion (Hebrews 2:14-15). Thus, the lament of Psalms 44:19, though a cry of despair, foreshadows the unparalleled suffering of the Messiah who would ultimately transform the "place of dragons" into a realm of redemption and the "shadow of death" into the dawn of eternal life, offering hope where there was once only desolation.