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Commentary on Psalms 44 verses 1–8
Some observe that most of the psalms that are entitled Maschil - psalms of instruction, are sorrowful psalms; for afflictions give instructions, and sorrow of spirit opens the ear to them. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest and teachest.
In these verses the church, though now trampled upon, calls to remembrance the days of her triumph, of her triumph in God and over her enemies. This is very largely mentioned here, 1. As an aggravation of the present distress. The yoke of servitude cannot but lie very heavily on the necks of those that used to wear the crown of victory; and the tokens of God's displeasure must needs be most grievous to those that have been long accustomed to the tokens of his favour. 2. As an encouragement to hope that God would yet turn again their captivity and return in mercy to them; accordingly he mixes prayers and comfortable expectations with his record of former mercies. Observe,
I. Their commemoration of the great things God had formerly done for them.
1.In general (Psa 44:1): Our fathers have told us what work thou didst in their days. Observe, (1.) The many operations of providence are here spoken of as one work - "They have told us the work which thou didst;" for there is a wonderful harmony and uniformity in all that God does, and the many wheels make but one wheel (Eze 10:13), many works make but one work. (2.) It is a debt which every age owes to posterity to keep an account of God's works of wonder, and to transmit the knowledge of them to the next generation. Those that went before us told us what God did in their days, we are bound to tell those that come after us what he has done in our days, and let them do the like justice to those that shall succeed them; thus shall one generation praise his works to another (Psa 145:4), the fathers to the children shall make known his truth, Isa 38:19. (3.) We must not only make mention of the work God has done in our own days, but must also acquaint ourselves and our children with what he did in the times of old, long before our own days; and of this we have in the scripture a sure word of history, as sure as the word of prophecy. (4.) Children must diligently attend to what their parents tell them of the wonderful works of God, and keep it in remembrance, as that which will be of great use to them. (5.) Former experiences of God's power and goodness are strong supports to faith and powerful pleas in prayer under present calamities. See how Gideon insists upon it (Jdg 6:13): Where are all his miracles which our fathers told us of?
2.In particular, their fathers had told them,
(1.)How wonderfully God planted Israel in Canaan at first, Psa 44:2, Psa 44:3. He drove out the natives, to make room for Israel, afflicted them, and cast them out, gave them as dust to Israel's sword and as driven stubble to their bow. The many complete victories which Israel obtained over the Canaanites, under the command of Joshua, were not to be attributed to themselves, nor could they challenge the glory of them. [1.] They were not owing to their own merit, but to God's favour and free grace: It was through the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour to them. Not for thy righteousness, or the uprightness of thy heart, doth God drive them out from before thee (Deu 9:5, Deu 9:6), but because God would perform the oath which he swore unto their fathers, Deu 7:8. The less praise this allows us the more comfort it administers to us, that we may see all our successes and enlargements coming to us from the favour of God and the light of his countenance. [2.] They were not owing to their own might, but to God's power engaged for them, without which all their own efforts and endeavours would have been fruitless. It was not by their own sword that they got the land in possession, though they had great numbers of mighty men; nor did their own arm save them from being driven back by the Canaanites and put to shame; but it was God's right hand and his arm. He fought for Israel, else they would have fought in vain; it was through him that they did valiantly and victoriously. It was God that planted Israel in that good land, as the careful husbandman plants a tree, from which he promises himself fruit. See Psa 80:8. This is applicable to the planting of the Christian church in the world, by the preaching of the gospel. Paganism was wonderfully driven out, as the Canaanites, not all at once, but by little and little, not by any human policy or power (for God chose to do it by the weak and foolish things of the world), but by the wisdom and power of God - Christ by his Spirit went forth conquering and to conquer; and the remembrance of that is a great support and comfort to those that groan under the yoke of antichristian tyranny, for to the state of the church under the power of the New Testament Babylon, some think (and particularly the learned Amyraldus), the complaints in the latter part of this psalm may very fitly be accommodated. He that by his power and goodness planted a church for himself in the world will certainly support it by the same power and goodness; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
(2.)How frequently he had given them success against their enemies that attempted to disturb them in the possession of that good land (Psa 44:7): Thou hast, many a time, saved us from our enemies, and hast put to flight, and so put to shame, those that hated us, witness the successes of the judges against the nations that oppressed Israel. Many a time have the persecutors of the Christian church, and those that hate it, been put to shame by the power of truth, Act 6:10.
II. The good use they make of this record, and had formerly made of it, in consideration of the great things God had done for their fathers of old.
1.They had taken God for their sovereign Lord, had sworn allegiance to him, and put themselves under his protection (Psa 44:4): Thou art my King, O God! He speaks in the name of the church, as (Psa 74:12), Thou art my King of old. God, as a king, has made laws for his church, provided for the peace and good order of it, judged for it, pleaded its cause, fought its battles, and protected it; it is his kingdom in the world, and ought to be subject to him, and to pay him tribute. Or the psalmist speaks for himself here: "Lord, Thou art my King; whither shall I go with my petitions, but to thee? The favour I ask is not for myself, but for thy church." Note, It is every one's duty to improve his personal interest at the throne of grace for the public welfare and prosperity of the people of God; as Moses, "If I have found grace in thy sight, guide thy people," Exo 33:13.
2.They had always applied to him by prayer for deliverance when at any time they were in distress: Command deliverances for Jacob. Observe, (1.) The enlargedness of their desire. They pray for deliverances, not one, but many, as many as they had need of, how many soever they were, a series of deliverances, a deliverance from every danger. (2.) The strength of their faith in the power of God. They do not say, Work deliverances, but Command them, which denotes his doing it easily and instantly - Speak and it is done (such was the faith of the centurion, Mat 8:8, Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed); it denotes also his doing it effectually: "Command it, as one having authority, whose command will be obeyed." Where the word of a king is there is power, much more the word of the King of kings.
3.They had trusted and triumphed in him. As they owned it was not their own sword and bow that had saved them (Psa 44:3), so neither did they trust to their own sword or bow to save them for the future (Psa 44:6): "I will not trust in my bow, nor in any of my military preparations, as if those would stand me in stead without God. No; through thee will we push down our enemies (Psa 44:5); we will attempt it in thy strength, relying only upon that, and not upon the number or valour of our forces; and, having thee on our side, we will not doubt of success in the attempt. Through thy name (by virtue of thy wisdom directing us, thy power strengthening us and working for us, and thy promise securing success to us) we shall, we will, tread those under that rise up against us."
4.They had made him their joy and praise (Psa 44:8): "In God we have boasted; in him we do and will boast, every day, and all the day long." When their enemies boasted of their strength and successes, as Sennacherib and Rabshakeh hectored Hezekiah, they owned they had nothing to boast of, in answer thereunto, but their relation to God and their interest in him; and, if he were for them, they could set all the world at defiance. Let him that glories glory in the Lord, and let that for ever exclude all other boasting. Let those that trust in God make their boast in him, for they know whom they have trusted; let them boast in him all the day long, for it is a subject that can never be exhausted. But let them withal praise his name for ever; if they have the comfort of his name, let them give unto him the glory due to it.
"For You have saved us from our enemies" [Psalm 44:7]. This too is spoken of the future under the figure of the past. But this is the reason that it is spoken of as if it were past, that it is as certain as if it were past. Give heed, wherefore many things are expressed by the Prophets as if they were past; whereas it is things future, not past facts that are the subject of prophecy. For the future Passion of our Lord Himself was foretold: and yet it says, "They pierced My hands and My feet. They told all My bones;" not, "They shall pierce," and "shall tell." "They looked and stared upon Me;" not "They shall look and stare upon Me." "They parted My garments among them." It does not say, "They shall part" them. All these things are expressed as if they were past, although they were yet to come: because to God things to come also are as certain as if they were past....It is for this reason, in consequence of their certainty, that those things which are yet future, are spoken of as if past. This it is then that we hope. For it is, "You have saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us."
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SUMMARY
Psalm 44:7 is a powerful declaration embedded within a communal lament, articulating ancient Israel's profound conviction in God's historical and decisive intervention on their behalf. It asserts unequivocally that divine power, not human strength or military might, was the sole source of their past victories, delivering them from formidable adversaries and bringing public humiliation and disgrace upon those who opposed them. This verse encapsulates a foundational theological truth of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh: He is their faithful Savior, Deliverer, and Vindicator, sovereign over all earthly powers.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 44:7 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. 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 and 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, presenting two facets of the same divine action. The phrase "that hated us" uses a subtle form of Personification to describe the enemies, imbuing them with a specific, intense emotion (hatred), which makes their opposition more vivid and the divine response more impactful and personal. Furthermore, the entire verse functions within a larger Contrast that defines the structure and emotional arc of Psalm 44: it is a confident 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 subsequent desperate plea and underscores the depth of their current distress by highlighting the historical precedent of God's unwavering faithfulness.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 44:7 powerfully articulates the theological conviction that God is the ultimate and sole source of salvation and vindication for His people. It establishes a foundational truth: human strength, military prowess, strategic ingenuity, or numerical superiority are ultimately futile without divine favor and intervention. God's active involvement not only delivers His chosen nation from physical threats but also justly brings shame and defeat upon their adversaries, demonstrating His supreme sovereignty over all nations, His unwavering commitment to His covenant, and His righteous judgment. This historical remembrance serves as a crucial anchor for faith, providing a tangible basis for continued trust and fervent prayer, even when present circumstances seem to contradict God's past faithfulness or challenge His promises. It affirms that God's character as Deliverer remains constant, providing hope amidst despair.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 44:7 invites contemporary believers to anchor their hope and confidence in God's unchanging character as a faithful deliverer, even amidst personal trials, spiritual battles, or societal opposition. Just as ancient Israel recalled God's past triumphs and interventions to fuel their faith in a time of crisis, we too are called to remember His faithfulness in our own lives and in the grand, unfolding narrative of redemption. This verse profoundly encourages us to shift our reliance from our own strength, resources, or strategic planning to the omnipotent power of God. When facing spiritual adversaries, relational conflicts, systemic injustices, or overwhelming circumstances, we are powerfully reminded that our ultimate victory, deliverance, and vindication come solely from Him. It fosters a posture of humble dependence, fervent prayer, and courageous trust, knowing that the God who historically "saved us from our enemies" and "put them to shame" remains actively engaged in our struggles, working for our ultimate good and His supreme glory. This profound truth provides immense comfort and unwavering courage, assuring us that our hope is never misplaced when it is fixed firmly on the Lord, who is our constant source of salvation.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "put them to shame" mean in this context?
Answer: In Psalm 44:7, the phrase "put them to shame" (from the Hebrew verb bûwsh, H954) signifies much more than just an internal feeling of embarrassment or regret. It refers to the public humiliation, disgrace, and utter defeat of Israel's enemies. It means that their malicious plans were completely thwarted, their arrogant boasts were exposed as empty and futile, and their power was decisively broken. This outcome was a clear and visible demonstration of God's justice and His absolute sovereignty, showing that those who oppose His people and His righteous purposes will ultimately fail and be brought to public disgrace. It serves as a powerful vindication for God's covenant people and a profound testament to His active involvement in history, where He judges the proud and delivers the oppressed, as seen in countless instances of divine judgment against oppressors throughout the Old Testament, such as Pharaoh's dramatic defeat at the Red Sea in Exodus 14.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalm 44:7 speaks of historical, national deliverance for Israel, its ultimate and most profound fulfillment is found in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "savior" (from the Greek soter, echoing the comprehensive meaning of the Hebrew yasha') who delivers humanity not merely from earthly enemies or national threats, but from the ultimate adversaries: sin, death, and the dominion of Satan. His crucifixion, though appearing as a devastating defeat to human eyes, was God's decisive and strategic act of salvation, securing an eternal victory over the spiritual forces that hated and enslaved humanity. As Colossians 2:15 powerfully declares, "He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." The glorious resurrection of Christ perfectly embodies God's act of saving His people and putting His enemies to shame, vindicating Jesus as Lord and demonstrating His absolute triumph over all powers. Through faith in Him, believers are delivered from the dominion of darkness and miraculously transferred into the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13), 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, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11).