Psalms 44:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But thou hast saved {H3467}{H8689)} us from our enemies {H6862}, and hast put them to shame {H954}{H8689)} that hated {H8130}{H8764)} us.

Complete Jewish Bible

No, you saved us from our adversaries; you put to shame those who hate us.

Berean Standard Bible

For You save us from our enemies; You put those who hate us to shame.

American Standard Version

But thou hast saved us from our adversaries, And hast put them to shame that hate us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 44:7 stands as a profound declaration within a communal lament, articulating Israel's unwavering conviction in God's historical intervention on their behalf. It asserts that divine power, not human might, was the sole source of their past victories, delivering them from adversaries and bringing public humiliation upon those who opposed them. This verse encapsulates a foundational truth of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh: He is their faithful Savior and Vindicator.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 44 is a unique communal lament that begins with a powerful recollection of God's past mighty acts of salvation. The psalmist, speaking for the community, opens by recounting how God, and not Israel's own strength or sword, secured the land and delivered their ancestors, as highlighted in [Psalm 44:1-3](/psalms/44-1 "Psalm 44:1-3 - God's Past Deliverance"). Verse 7 falls within this initial section of remembrance (verses 1-8), where the people express their unwavering trust in God as their only source of victory and salvation. This declaration of past deliverance sets a dramatic contrast with the psalm's later shift to a desperate plea for help in a time of severe national distress and defeat, where the people feel inexplicably abandoned by God, as seen from [Psalm 44:9](/psalms/44-9 "Psalm 44:9 - The Lament Begins") onward. The memory of God's past faithfulness serves as the very foundation upon which their present desperate cry is built.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the specific historical event prompting Psalm 44 is not explicitly stated, the psalm reflects a period of significant national crisis, likely a military defeat or invasion where Israel suffered greatly and felt God had withdrawn His favor. This contrasts sharply with the earlier periods of conquest and establishment in the land, where God's direct intervention was evident, as recounted in the books of [Joshua](/joshua/1 "The Book of Joshua - Conquest of Canaan") and [Judges](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges - Cycles of Deliverance"). Culturally, ancient Near Eastern peoples often attributed military success or failure directly to their deities. The psalmist's emphasis on God's sole agency in past victories (e.g., "not by their own sword") challenges conventional military might and underscores Israel's unique covenant relationship, where their God fights for them. The concept of "shame" was particularly potent in honor-shame cultures, signifying public disgrace and the utter failure of one's enemies' boasts and intentions.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 44:7 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Deliverance**, unequivocally attributing salvation to God alone, emphasizing that true rescue from enemies comes not through human might or military strategy, but through the direct and powerful intervention of the Lord. This theme of God as the sole deliverer is foundational to Israel's understanding of their relationship with Him, echoing declarations like [Psalm 3:8](/psalms/3-8 "Psalm 3:8 - Salvation Belongs to the Lord"). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Vindication and Shame of Enemies**, where God's deliverance often includes the public humiliation and confounding of those who oppose His people. To "put them to shame" signifies that their wicked intentions are thwarted, their arrogance is exposed, and their power is broken, serving as a clear demonstration of God's justice and sovereignty. Finally, by remembering past victories, the psalmist reinforces the enduring truth of God's **Unchanging Faithfulness**, providing a basis for hope and continued trust, even when current circumstances are dire.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Saved (Hebrew, _yasha'_):** This verb (יָשַׁע) is rich in meaning, encompassing ideas of delivering, rescuing, bringing to safety, and providing ample space or relief from distress. It implies a comprehensive act of liberation, moving someone from a state of confinement, danger, or oppression into a state of security, freedom, and well-being. In the context of military conflict, it signifies a decisive victory granted by God, not merely an escape but a triumphant deliverance.
* **Shame (Hebrew, _bush_):** The verb (בּוּשׁ) means to be ashamed, confounded, or disappointed. When applied to enemies, it denotes public disgrace, humiliation, and the utter frustration of their plans and boasts. It's not just a feeling of internal shame but an external, visible demonstration of their defeat and the futility of their opposition against God's people. This concept is often tied to God's justice, where the proud are humbled.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But thou hast saved us from our enemies":** This clause directly attributes past military victories and national preservation to God's direct intervention. The "us" refers to the community of Israel, recalling a collective experience of divine deliverance. The phrasing "from our enemies" highlights the external threats and hostile forces from which God provided rescue, emphasizing His role as protector and warrior on behalf of His people. The perfect tense of "hast saved" signifies a completed action with ongoing effects, cementing God's historical faithfulness.
* **"and hast put them to shame that hated us":** This second clause describes the consequence for Israel's adversaries: their humiliation and disgrace. God's act of salvation for His people simultaneously involves the public confounding of those who harbored animosity and actively sought their harm. The phrase "that hated us" personifies the enemies, underscoring their malicious intent and framing God's action as a just response to their enmity. This outcome serves as a powerful demonstration of God's sovereignty and justice, where the wicked are exposed and their schemes are thwarted.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. There is a clear use of **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous or perhaps synthetic, where the second clause ("and hast put them to shame that hated us") elaborates upon or reinforces the outcome of the first ("But thou hast saved us from our enemies"). God's act of saving His people inherently involves the defeat and humiliation of their adversaries. The phrase "that hated us" uses **Personification** to describe the enemies, imbuing them with a specific, intense emotion, making their opposition more vivid and the divine response more impactful. Furthermore, the entire verse functions within a larger **Contrast** that defines Psalm 44: it is a declaration of God's past unfailing deliverance set against the present experience of apparent divine abandonment and national defeat. This stark contrast amplifies the psalmist's plea and underscores the depth of their current distress by highlighting the historical precedent of God's faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 44:7 powerfully articulates the theological conviction that God is the ultimate source of salvation and vindication for His people. It establishes a foundational truth: human strength, military prowess, or strategic ingenuity are ultimately futile without divine favor. God's active intervention not only delivers His chosen nation but also justly brings shame and defeat upon their adversaries, demonstrating His sovereignty over all nations and His unwavering commitment to His covenant. This historical remembrance serves as a crucial anchor for faith, even when circumstances seem to contradict God's past faithfulness, providing a basis for continued trust and fervent prayer.

* [Deuteronomy 20:4](/deuteronomy/20-4 "Deuteronomy 20:4 - The Lord Fights for You")
* [Psalm 124:6-8](/psalms/124-6 "Psalm 124:6-8 - Our Help is in the Name of the Lord")
* [Isaiah 41:11-12](/isaiah/41-11 "Isaiah 41:11-12 - Those who contend with you shall be as nothing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 44:7 invites contemporary believers to anchor their hope in God's unchanging character as a deliverer, even amidst personal trials or societal opposition. Just as ancient Israel recalled God's past triumphs to fuel their faith, we too are called to remember His faithfulness in our own lives and in the grand narrative of redemption. This verse encourages us to shift our reliance from our own strength, resources, or strategies to the omnipotent power of God. When facing spiritual battles, relational conflicts, or systemic injustices, we are reminded that our ultimate victory and vindication come from Him. It fosters a posture of humble dependence and fervent prayer, knowing that the God who "saved us from our enemies" and "put them to shame" remains actively engaged in our struggles, working for our good and His glory. This truth provides profound comfort and courage, assuring us that our hope is never misplaced when it is fixed on the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness, both in Scripture and in your own life, strengthen your faith in present difficulties?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on your own strength or resources rather than trusting in God for deliverance?**
* **How does the concept of God putting enemies to shame encourage you when you face opposition or injustice?**

### FAQ
**What does "put them to shame" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Psalm 44:7, "put them to shame" (Hebrew: בּוּשׁ, _bush_) signifies more than just an internal feeling of embarrassment. It refers to the public humiliation, disgrace, and utter defeat of Israel's enemies. It means their plans were thwarted, their boasts were exposed as empty, and their power was broken. This outcome was a clear demonstration of God's justice and sovereignty, showing that those who oppose His people and His purposes will ultimately fail and be disgraced. It serves as a vindication for God's people and a powerful testament to His active involvement in history, as seen in many instances of divine judgment against oppressors throughout the Old Testament, such as Pharaoh's defeat in [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Crossing of the Red Sea").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalm 44:7 speaks of historical, national deliverance, its ultimate fulfillment is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "savior" (from the Greek _soter_, echoing the Hebrew _yasha'_) who delivers humanity not merely from earthly enemies but from the ultimate adversaries: sin, death, and the power of Satan. His crucifixion, though appearing as a defeat, was God's decisive act of salvation, securing victory over the spiritual forces that hated and enslaved humanity, as [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers") declares, "He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." The resurrection of Christ perfectly embodies God's act of saving His people and putting His enemies to shame, vindicating Jesus and demonstrating His absolute triumph. Through faith in Him, believers are delivered from the dominion of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of His beloved Son ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness")), experiencing a spiritual salvation that far surpasses any temporal deliverance, and anticipating the final, glorious vindication when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")).

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 140:7

O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.

Psalms 132:18

His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

Psalms 136:24

And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

Joshua 1:5

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, [so] I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Psalms 40:14

Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.

Joshua 23:9

For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but [as for] you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day.

Joshua 23:10

One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he [it is] that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.