Psalms 44:23

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Awake {H5782}{H8798)}, why sleepest {H3462}{H8799)} thou, O Lord {H136}? arise {H6974}{H8685)}, cast us not off {H2186}{H8799)} for ever {H5331}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Wake up, Adonai! Why are you asleep? Rouse yourself! Don't thrust us off forever.

Berean Standard Bible

Wake up, O Lord! Why are You sleeping? Arise! Do not reject us forever.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 44:23 is a profound and urgent lament from a covenant people grappling with profound national suffering and humiliation, despite their unwavering faithfulness. It articulates the deep human anguish of feeling abandoned by God in a time of severe adversity, challenging His apparent inaction with bold, anthropomorphic language. This verse encapsulates the theological tension between God's historical faithfulness and the painful reality of present distress, culminating in a desperate appeal for His immediate and decisive intervention to prevent a perceived permanent rejection.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 44 is a unique communal lament, distinguished by its steadfast assertion of the community's innocence and faithfulness to the covenant, rather than confession of sin, as the cause of their suffering. The psalm commences by recounting God's mighty acts of deliverance in the past, establishing a foundational trust in His power and historical intervention for His people, as detailed in [Psalms 44:1-3](/psalms/44-1-3 "Psalms 44:1-3 - Recalling God's Past Deeds"). However, the narrative abruptly shifts to a stark present reality of military defeat, national humiliation, and apparent divine abandonment, vividly portrayed in [Psalms 44:9-16](/psalms/44-9-16 "Psalms 44:9-16 - Present Humiliation and Defeat"). The core of their fervent argument is presented in [Psalms 44:17-22](/psalms/44-17-22 "Psalms 44:17-22 - Assertion of Faithfulness"), where the psalmists emphatically declare their unwavering loyalty, stating they have not forgotten God, nor dealt falsely with His covenant, yet they are "killed all the day long" and "counted as sheep for the slaughter" ([Psalms 44:22](/psalms/44-22 "Psalms 44:22 - Suffering for God's Sake")). It is from this crucible of seemingly inexplicable suffering, coupled with their steadfast fidelity, that the poignant and desperate cry of Psalms 44:23 emerges, serving as the emotional and theological climax of their direct appeal to God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the precise historical catalyst for Psalm 44 remains a subject of scholarly debate—with suggestions ranging from the Assyrian or Babylonian invasions to the Maccabean period—the psalm undeniably reflects a common experience in ancient Israel: that of national crisis and military defeat. In the broader ancient Near East, a nation's military success or failure was frequently interpreted as a direct manifestation of their god's favor or disfavor. For Israel, this theological framework was profoundly intensified by their unique covenant relationship with Yahweh. When they experienced defeat despite their perceived faithfulness, it precipitated a profound theological crisis, challenging their understanding of God's justice and power. The anthropomorphic concept of God "sleeping" or being "silent" was a deeply human expression of perceived divine non-intervention, a desperate attempt to reconcile their understanding of God as actively powerful and present with their current, agonizing reality. The cultural expectation was that God, as their covenant Lord and divine warrior, would intervene decisively on behalf of His loyal people, especially during existential threats. Therefore, the psalm's lament is not an act of apostasy but a fervent, almost confrontational, appeal deeply rooted within the framework of their covenant relationship, imploring Him to fulfill His role as their protector and vindicator.
* **Key Themes:** The central themes embedded within Psalms 44:23 revolve around the profound tension between divine sovereignty and human suffering, particularly when that suffering appears unmerited. The most prominent theme is **Divine Silence and Apparent Inaction**, vividly expressed through the anthropomorphic language of God "sleeping." This imagery powerfully conveys the human perception of God's unresponsiveness during a crisis, a feeling of divine distance echoed in other poignant laments such as [Psalm 13:1](/psalms/13-1 "Psalm 13:1 - How Long, O Lord?"). Closely intertwined is the **Desperate Plea for Intervention**, as the urgent imperatives "Awake" and "arise" constitute a fervent call for God to shatter His perceived silence and act decisively on behalf of His people. This is a bold, even audacious, form of prayer, born of deep anguish and a profound sense of injustice. Finally, the concluding phrase "cast [us] not off for ever" underscores the pervasive **Fear of Permanent Abandonment**. This reveals a deep-seated anxiety that God's perceived rejection is not a temporary trial but a permanent breach, threatening the very foundation of their covenant relationship and their existence as His chosen people, despite God's enduring promises never to forsake them, as affirmed in passages like [Deuteronomy 31:6](/deuteronomy/31-6 "Deuteronomy 31:6 - God Will Not Fail or Forsake You").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Awake (Hebrew, _ʻûwr_ H5782):** This imperative verb, derived from H5782, means "to wake (literally or figuratively); (a-) wake(-n, up), lift up (self), [idiom] master, raise (up), stir up (self)." In this context, it is a fervent and urgent summons for God to take action, not an accusation that He is literally asleep. It expresses the psalmist's passionate desire for God to cease His perceived inaction and intervene decisively. This imperative is common in laments, serving as a powerful call for divine vindication and judgment, similar to its use in other psalms of petition.
* **Sleepest (Hebrew, _yâshên_ H3462):** This verb, from H3462, describes a state of being "slack or languid," implying "sleep (figuratively, to die)." When applied to God, it functions as a potent metaphor for His apparent non-responsiveness or delay in intervention during a time of profound crisis. It conveys the raw human perception of God's silence or distance, especially when suffering seems to contradict His covenant promises and character. The rhetorical question "why sleepest thou?" is a cry of frustration and bewilderment, reflecting the psalmist's desperate need for God to demonstrate His active presence and power.
* **Cast off (Hebrew, _zânach_ H2186):** This verb, from H2186, means "to push aside, i.e.; reject, forsake, fail; cast away (off), remove far away (off)." It implies a decisive and potentially permanent separation or withdrawal of favor. The plea "cast [us] not off for ever" reveals the psalmist's profound fear that God's perceived inaction might signify a permanent breach in the covenant relationship, an eternal withdrawal of His presence and protection. This fear is particularly poignant given Israel's identity as God's chosen people, whose very existence depended on His continued favor and faithfulness. The plea is a desperate appeal for God to remember His covenant promises and not to permanently disown His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord?"**: This opening clause is a direct, bold, and anthropomorphic address to God. "Awake" is an urgent imperative, a desperate plea for God to rouse Himself from His perceived inactivity. The rhetorical question "why sleepest thou?" expresses profound bewilderment, frustration, and anguish. It is not a literal accusation of divine sleep but a powerful metaphor for God's apparent silence or non-intervention in the face of the people's intense suffering. It challenges the divine mystery of suffering and the timing of God's deliverance, reflecting the human experience of feeling forgotten or abandoned by a seemingly distant deity.
* **"arise,"**: This is a repetition and intensification of the initial "Awake," employing another imperative. It further emphasizes the urgency and desperation of the plea. "Arise" (from the root H6974, _qûwts_) signifies a call for God to stand up, to take His rightful place as the divine warrior, and to intervene actively and powerfully on behalf of His people. It is a summons for God to manifest His sovereignty and power in a tangible way, to confront the forces that are oppressing His covenant people, and to demonstrate His unwavering faithfulness to His promises.
* **"cast [us] not off for ever."**: This final clause articulates the core fear underlying the lament: the dread of permanent divine abandonment. The verb "cast off" implies a complete and irreversible rejection, a severing of the covenant relationship. The addition of "for ever" underscores the depth of this fear, suggesting that the current suffering might be a sign of eternal disfavor. This plea is a desperate appeal to God's covenant faithfulness and mercy, imploring Him not to withdraw His presence or protection permanently. It is a cry for reassurance of His unwavering love and commitment, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 44:23 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its profound emotional and theological message. The most prominent is **Anthropomorphism**, where human characteristics are attributed to God. The psalmist asks, "why sleepest thou, O Lord?" and commands Him to "Awake" and "arise," portraying God as if He were a human being who can literally sleep and be roused from slumber. This is not intended as a literal theological statement about God's nature, but rather a vivid and relatable expression of the human perception of divine inaction or silence during a crisis. This anthropomorphic language makes the divine seem more accessible, allowing the psalmist to express raw frustration and desperate yearning. The phrase "why sleepest thou?" also functions as a **Rhetorical Question**, a question posed not to elicit an answer but to emphasize the speaker's intense emotional state—in this case, bewilderment, anguish, and a profound sense of injustice. It highlights the inexplicable nature of their suffering given their asserted faithfulness. The entire verse is framed in the **Imperative Mood** ("Awake," "arise," "cast [us] not off"), which underscores the urgency and directness of the plea. This direct address to God, demanding action, is characteristic of **Lament** literature, where the worshiper pours out their heart to God, expressing pain, confusion, and a desperate longing for divine intervention. The psalmist's bold language reflects a deep, intimate, and trusting relationship with God, even in the midst of profound questioning.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 44:23 resonates deeply with the broader biblical narrative of God's covenant faithfulness amidst human suffering and perceived divine silence. It highlights the inherent tension in a relationship with a sovereign God who permits His faithful people to endure profound hardship. The psalmists' bold questioning validates the human experience of wrestling with God's mysterious ways, affirming that honest lament is a legitimate and even necessary form of prayer within the covenant. Despite the raw emotion and apparent accusation, the very act of crying out to God, rather than abandoning Him, demonstrates an underlying faith in His ultimate power and goodness. The plea for God not to "cast [us] off for ever" underscores the enduring hope in God's covenant promises, even when immediate circumstances seem to contradict them. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's presence and faithfulness are not always discernible by human perception or immediate intervention, yet His character remains unchanged. It invites believers to bring their deepest fears and frustrations to God, trusting that He is big enough to handle their questions and will ultimately fulfill His promises.

* [Psalm 13:1](/psalms/13-1 "Psalm 13:1 - How Long, O Lord?")
* [Habakkuk 1:2](/habakkuk/1-2 "Habakkuk 1:2 - The Prophet's Complaint")
* [Lamentations 5:20](/lamentations/5-20 "Lamentations 5:20 - Why Do You Forget Us?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 44:23 offers profound spiritual nourishment for believers navigating seasons of hardship and perceived divine silence. It grants permission to bring our raw, honest, and even confrontational questions before God. In moments when our prayers seem to go unanswered, or when suffering persists despite our faithfulness, this verse validates the human experience of feeling abandoned or confused. It teaches us that faith is not the absence of doubt or questioning, but rather the courageous act of bringing those doubts and questions directly to the One who holds all answers. The psalmist's persistent cry, even in the face of despair, encourages us to maintain a posture of prayer and dependence, believing that God ultimately hears and cares, even if His timing and methods are beyond our comprehension. This passage reminds us that our feelings, while valid, do not define God's unchanging character, which promises His unwavering presence and love. It calls us to trust in His sovereignty and faithfulness, even when the path ahead is shrouded in mystery and pain, holding fast to the hope that He will never truly cast us off, for His covenant love enduring forever.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have you felt that God was "sleeping" or silent in your own life? How did you respond to that feeling?**
* **Is it permissible to question God's actions or apparent inaction? What does Psalms 44:23 teach us about the nature of honest prayer?**
* **How can we reconcile the psalmist's desperate plea with biblical assurances that God neither slumbers nor sleeps (e.g., [Psalm 121:4](/psalms/121-4 "Psalm 121:4 - The Lord Does Not Slumber"))?**
* **What does it mean to persist in faith and prayer when circumstances seem to contradict God's promises?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply God actually sleeps or is literally unaware?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply that God literally sleeps or is unaware. The language used in [Psalms 44:23](/psalms/44-23 "Psalms 44:23 - The Plea to God") is an example of **anthropomorphism**, attributing human characteristics to God to express a profound human experience. The psalmist is using vivid, metaphorical language to convey the feeling of God's apparent inaction, silence, or delay in intervention during a time of intense suffering. It reflects the human perception of God's distance, not a literal theological statement about His nature. Other scriptures, such as [Psalm 121:4](/psalms/121-4 "Psalm 121:4 - The Lord Does Not Slumber"), explicitly state that God "will neither slumber nor sleep," affirming His constant watchfulness and attentiveness to His people. The question "why sleepest thou?" is a rhetorical cry of anguish and bewilderment, born from a desperate longing for God to act, not a literal accusation.

**Is it acceptable for believers to question God or express frustration with Him, as the psalmist does here?**

Answer: Yes, [Psalms 44:23](/psalms/44-23 "Psalms 44:23 - The Plea to God") and many other psalms of lament (e.g., [Psalm 13](/psalms/13 "Psalm 13 - How Long, O Lord?"), [Psalm 88](/psalms/88 "Psalm 88 - A Psalm of Deep Distress")) demonstrate that it is not only acceptable but often a vital part of a genuine faith relationship to express raw, honest questions, frustrations, and even complaints to God. The Bible models a faith that is not afraid to wrestle with God's mysterious ways in the face of suffering. These laments are not expressions of unbelief but rather profound acts of faith, as they are directed *to* God, acknowledging His sovereignty and power even while questioning His apparent inaction. They reflect a deep trust that God is big enough to handle our doubts and authentic emotions, and that He desires our genuine communication, even when it is messy or painful.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 44:23, with its desperate cry to a seemingly silent God in the midst of unmerited suffering, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The psalmist's lament for a people "killed all the day long" and "counted as sheep for the slaughter" ([Psalms 44:22](/psalms/44-22 "Psalms 44:22 - Suffering for God's Sake")) powerfully foreshadows the ultimate innocent Lamb of God, who truly was led "as a sheep to the slaughter" ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - He Was Oppressed and Afflicted")) for the sins of humanity. On the cross, Jesus himself cried out, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), echoing the very sentiment of perceived abandonment found in Psalm 44. This moment of ultimate dereliction demonstrates that Christ, our High Priest, fully identifies with our human experience of suffering and feeling forsaken, having himself endured the deepest form of divine silence and rejection on our behalf ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest Understands")). Yet, His cry was not the end; it was followed by resurrection and ascension, proving that God does not "cast off for ever." Through Christ, the perceived silence of God is broken, and the ultimate intervention is accomplished. Believers now have a living High Priest who ever lives to intercede for them ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - He Always Lives to Intercede")), ensuring that God will never truly abandon His people, for we are eternally united with the One who overcame the ultimate "sleep" of death and secured our everlasting hope.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 78:65

Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, [and] like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.

Psalms 7:6

Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me [to] the judgment [that] thou hast commanded.

Psalms 35:23

Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, [even] unto my cause, my God and my Lord.

Psalms 74:1

¶ Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast [us] off for ever? [why] doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?

Psalms 77:7

Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?

Mark 4:38

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

Isaiah 51:9

¶ Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. [Art] thou not it that hath cut Rahab, [and] wounded the dragon?