Psalms 44:26

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Arise {H6965}{H8798)} for our help {H5833}, and redeem {H6299}{H8798)} us for thy mercies {H2617}' sake.

Complete Jewish Bible

Get up, and come to help us! For the sake of your grace, redeem us!

Berean Standard Bible

Rise up; be our help! Redeem us on account of Your loving devotion.

American Standard Version

Rise up for our help, And redeem us for thy lovingkindness’ sake.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 44:26 is the climactic and desperate plea of a communal lament, imploring God to intervene on behalf of His suffering people. After recounting God's past faithfulness and detailing their inexplicable present distress, the psalmist calls upon the Lord to "Arise" from apparent inaction and "redeem" them from their plight. Crucially, this impassioned appeal is grounded not in any perceived merit or righteousness of the people, but solely "for thy mercies' sake," emphasizing God's steadfast love and covenant faithfulness as the ultimate basis for their hope and deliverance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 44 is a unique communal lament, distinct in its claim of innocence (vv. 17-22) despite profound national suffering. The psalm opens with a remembrance of God's mighty acts in the past, particularly His deliverance of Israel (vv. 1-8), establishing a theological foundation of God's power and faithfulness. This historical memory then starkly contrasts with the present reality of defeat, humiliation, and perceived divine abandonment (vv. 9-16). The psalmist emphatically denies any apostasy or covenant breaking as the cause of their distress (vv. 17-22), making their suffering all the more perplexing and their plea more urgent. The final section (vv. 23-26) is an impassioned cry for God to "Awake" and "Arise," culminating in the direct appeal of verse 26, which serves as the psalm's final, desperate, and hopeful petition for divine intervention. This structure builds a powerful rhetorical argument for God's action based on His character and past deeds, rather than the people's worthiness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Communal laments like Psalm 44 typically arose from severe national crises such as military defeat, invasion, exile, famine, or plague. The language of "sleeping" or "awaking" God (vv. 23-24) is an anthropomorphism common in ancient Near Eastern prayers, not suggesting God literally sleeps, but reflecting the human perception of divine inactivity during times of prolonged suffering. The concept of "redemption" (Hebrew *padah*) was deeply ingrained in Israelite culture, often referring to liberation from slavery, danger, or oppression, sometimes through a ransom or powerful intervention. The appeal to "mercy" (Hebrew *ḥesed*) underscores the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where God's steadfast love and faithfulness were the bedrock of their hope, irrespective of their circumstances. The psalm reflects a period where Israel faced significant external threats, leading to national humiliation and a crisis of faith concerning God's active presence and protection, despite their adherence to the covenant, as they understood it.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 44:26 encapsulates several pervasive themes found throughout the Psalter and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it embodies a **desperate plea for divine intervention**, a common motif in psalms of lament where the righteous suffer unjustly and call upon God to act (e.g., [Psalm 13](/psalms/13 "Psalm 13 - A Lament of Despair and Hope")). Secondly, the request for **divine redemption** highlights God's role as the deliverer and rescuer of His people from bondage, danger, or oppression, a theme echoed from the [Exodus narrative](/exodus/1 "Exodus 1 - The Enslavement of Israel") to prophetic promises of restoration. Thirdly, the emphasis on **God's mercy (ḥesed)** as the sole basis for their appeal is foundational, demonstrating a profound understanding that God's actions are ultimately driven by His character of steadfast love and covenant faithfulness, not human merit. This resonates with the recurring declaration that [His steadfast love endures forever](/psalms/136 "Psalm 136 - His Steadfast Love Endures Forever"). Finally, the anthropomorphic command to "Arise" underscores the theme of **God's active presence and sovereign power**, urging Him to demonstrate His might in a world that seems to have forgotten His dominion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Arise (Hebrew, _qum'_):** This imperative verb is a forceful command, frequently used in the Old Testament to call for God to take action. It implies a transition from a state of perceived inactivity or rest to one of decisive, powerful intervention. In the context of lament, it expresses the psalmist's urgent desire for God to "stand up" and demonstrate His power on behalf of His people, as if awakening from sleep or indifference (cf. [Psalm 7:6](/psalms/7-6 "Psalm 7:6 - Arise, O Lord, in Your anger")).
* **Redeem (Hebrew, _padah'_):** This verb signifies liberation, deliverance, or rescue, often implying a release from bondage, danger, or a debt through payment, ransom, or powerful intervention. It carries the nuance of setting free someone who is enslaved or in peril. In this context, it is a plea for God to act as their kinsman-redeemer, to deliver them from their current oppression and restore them to freedom and security.
* **Mercies' sake (Hebrew, _ḥesed'_):** This rich and multifaceted term is central to understanding God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Often translated as "steadfast love," "lovingkindness," or "mercy," *ḥesed* describes God's loyal, unfailing love and faithfulness, particularly within the context of His covenant. The phrase "for thy mercies' sake" (literally, "according to your *ḥesed*") indicates that the appeal for help and redemption is based entirely on God's inherent compassionate nature and His covenant promises, not on any deserving quality of the petitioners. It is an appeal to God's very essence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Arise for our help":** This is a direct, urgent, and anthropomorphic plea for God to rouse Himself from perceived inaction and intervene. The phrase "for our help" (עֶזְרָה, *'ezrah*) emphasizes the dire need for divine assistance and succor in a situation where human strength has failed. It is a call for God to manifest His power and presence in a tangible way to alleviate their suffering and reverse their fortunes.
* **"and redeem us":** Following the call to "Arise," this clause specifies the desired outcome: deliverance from their current state of oppression and humiliation. The term "redeem" (פָדָה, *padah*) implies a complete liberation, a powerful act of rescue that frees them from their adversaries and restores their dignity and security. It speaks to God's role as the ultimate rescuer and liberator of His people.
* **"for thy mercies' sake":** This crucial phrase reveals the sole basis of their petition. It is not an appeal to their own righteousness, merit, or past obedience (despite their claims in preceding verses), but entirely to God's inherent character of steadfast love, unfailing faithfulness, and covenant mercy (*ḥesed*). It acknowledges that ultimate salvation and deliverance flow from God's gracious disposition, underscoring His sovereignty and benevolence as the foundation of all hope.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 44:26, as the culmination of a communal lament, employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Anthropomorphism**, seen in the imperative "Arise." This portrays God in human terms, as if He is sleeping or inactive and needs to be awakened to the plight of His people (cf. [Psalm 7:6](/psalms/7-6 "Psalm 7:6 - Arise, O Lord, in Your anger")). This device powerfully conveys the psalmist's sense of desperation and the perceived absence of God's intervention, making the plea more vivid and emotionally charged. The entire psalm is a form of **Lament**, characterized by a direct address to God, a description of suffering, a protest of innocence (unique here), and a plea for help, often concluding with an expression of hope or a vow of praise. The specific structure of the psalm, moving from historical remembrance to present suffering and culminating in this desperate cry, builds a strong **Rhetorical Argument** for divine intervention. The psalmist is not merely complaining but presenting a case to God, appealing to His character and covenant faithfulness as the compelling reason for Him to act. Finally, the phrase "for thy mercies' sake" serves as a powerful **Theological Basis**, grounding the human plea not in human worthiness but in the divine attribute of *ḥesed*, emphasizing grace as the ultimate source of salvation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 44:26 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of prayer, divine sovereignty, and the unwavering character of God. It teaches that even in the deepest valleys of suffering and perceived divine silence, believers are called to boldly and persistently appeal to God. The core theological insight is that God's actions are fundamentally rooted in His *ḥesed*—His steadfast love and covenant faithfulness—rather than human merit or performance. This means that hope for deliverance is never extinguished, even when circumstances suggest otherwise, because it rests on the immutable character of God. The verse underscores the tension between God's omnipotence and the reality of human suffering, prompting a wrestling with faith that acknowledges God's power while lamenting His apparent inaction. It affirms that God’s mercy is the ultimate ground for redemption, a truth that echoes throughout salvation history.

* [Psalm 13:3](/psalms/13-3 "Psalm 13:3 - How long, O Lord? Look and answer me!")
* [Isaiah 63:9](/isaiah/63-9 "Isaiah 63:9 - In all their distress He too was distressed, and the angel of His presence saved them.")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 44:26 offers a timeless model for prayer in times of profound distress and perceived divine absence. It encourages believers to articulate their suffering honestly before God, even to the point of questioning His apparent inaction, as the psalmist does in the preceding verses. The verse reminds us that our pleas for help and deliverance are not to be based on our own perceived goodness or deservingness, but entirely on the boundless, unwavering mercy and steadfast love of God. In a world fraught with injustice, suffering, and moments when God seems distant, this verse invites us to cling to His character, trusting that His *ḥesed* is the ultimate guarantee of our hope. It empowers us to cry out for Him to "Arise" and act, knowing that His compassion is infinite and His power is supreme, even when His timing or methods are beyond our comprehension. This psalm validates the raw honesty of lament while redirecting our focus to the unshakeable foundation of God's merciful nature.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the psalmist's bold plea to God to "Arise" challenge or affirm your own approach to prayer in times of crisis?**
* **In what ways do you tend to base your appeals to God—on your own merit, or solely on His mercy? What difference does this make?**
* **How can you maintain faith in God's steadfast love (ḥesed) when circumstances seem to contradict His active presence or care?**
* **What specific "help" or "redemption" might you be asking God for in your life or community today, based on His mercies?**

### FAQ

**Why does the psalmist ask God to "Arise" if God is always active and sovereign?**

Answer: The psalmist's plea for God to "Arise" (קוּם, *qum*) is an anthropomorphism, a figure of speech that attributes human characteristics or actions to God. It does not imply that God is literally asleep or inactive, but rather expresses the human perception of His apparent silence or delay in intervention during times of severe suffering. In the context of a lament, it is a desperate, impassioned cry for God to visibly demonstrate His power and presence, to "wake up" to their plight and act decisively on their behalf. It reflects the psalmist's earnest desire for God's manifest intervention, acknowledging His sovereignty while wrestling with the reality of their present distress. This kind of language is common in the Psalms, as seen in [Psalm 7:6](/psalms/7-6 "Psalm 7:6 - Arise, O Lord, in Your anger"), where the psalmist calls for God to "Arise in Your anger."

**How does the psalmist's claim of innocence in Psalm 44 (vv. 17-22) relate to the plea for "mercy" in verse 26?**

Answer: This is a unique and significant tension within Psalm 44. The psalmist explicitly denies that their suffering is due to apostasy or forgetting God's covenant (vv. 17-22), setting it apart from many other laments where sin is confessed. Despite this claim of innocence, the final plea in verse 26 is not based on their righteousness, but entirely "for thy mercies' sake" (לְמַעַן חַסְדֶּךָ, *lema'an ḥasdekha*). This demonstrates a profound theological understanding: even if they believe they are innocent of specific covenant breaking, they recognize that ultimate deliverance and salvation are never earned by human merit, but flow solely from God's inherent character of steadfast love and covenant faithfulness (*ḥesed*). It highlights that God's grace is the ultimate foundation for His saving acts, irrespective of human claims or perceived worthiness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 44:26, with its desperate plea for God to "Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament longing for divine intervention and redemption based on God's *ḥesed* is perfectly answered in the New Covenant. God did "Arise" in the incarnation, when the Son of God took on human flesh, entering into the very suffering of humanity. His ultimate "arising" from the dead, the resurrection, was the decisive act of God's power, demonstrating His victory over sin, death, and evil, fulfilling the ancient cry for help (cf. [Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")). Furthermore, Christ is the ultimate "Redeemer," whose sacrificial death on the cross paid the ransom for our sins, liberating us from the bondage of sin and death (cf. [Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption through His blood") and [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness")). This redemption is entirely "for thy mercies' sake," not based on our merit, but on God's boundless love and grace, perfectly manifested in sending His Son (cf. [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God demonstrates His love")). Thus, the psalmist's ancient cry for help and redemption, rooted in God's mercy, points forward to the definitive and complete salvation offered through Jesus, who now intercedes for us eternally (cf. [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Always Lives to Intercede")).

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 130:7

Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD [there is] mercy, and with him [is] plenteous redemption.

Psalms 130:8

And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

Psalms 25:22

Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

Psalms 35:2

Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.

Psalms 26:11

But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.