Psalms 44

Ver. 3. O send out &c.] In other words, O let thy gracious favour, and the truth of thy promises, be my sure guide to conduct me to thy holy mountain, where Thou hast fixed thy dwelling-place. Bp. Patrick, Travell. We learn from this Psalm, that if the Prophet begged of God to deliver him from the malice of his enemies, it was chiefly with a view to return to the tabernacle, that he might praise God, and express his joy, love, and gratitude. And the complaints and sighs which he uttered, because he could not come into the house of God, should engage those who have the liberty to serve God in religious assemblies, gladly to improve so inestimable a blessing. Ostervald. Psalm XLIV. This Psalm appears to have been composed at a time when the Jewish state suffered grievously from their enemies, and many were carried into captivity; though the state itself still subsisted, and the public worship of God was maintained. It is not unlikely that Hezekiah was the author of it; and that perhaps, soon after the blasphemous message of Rabshaketh, 2 Kings xviii. 13, &c. Mudge. The church complaineth of her present evils.

WE have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.

Ver. 2. — the heathen] That is, the Canaanites.

Psalms 44:3

3. — the light of thy countenance.] That is, thy gracious and glorious presence, which went along with them. Poole.

Psalms 44:9

9. But thou hast cast off.] But yet at present thou permittest us to be dealt with, as if thou hadst cast us off. Dr. Wells. All that is contained from this verse to the fifteenth, was expressly foretold, Deut. xxviii. Bp. Wilson.

Psalms 44:11

11. Thou hast given us &c.] Like sheep for the slaughter. Green.

Psalms 44:12

12. Thou sellest thy people &c.] That is, thou permittest them to be held cheap and vile, and to be sold into slavery by their enemies, for little or nothing; a situation far more to be dreaded than the sword of the executioner. Bp. Horne.

Psalms 44:14

14. Thou makest us a byword &c.] A proverb of wretchedness among the heathen, who shook their heads at them in mere contempt and derision. Bp. Patrick.

Psalms 44:15

15, 16. My confusion is &c.] I am confounded with the continual marks of our disgrace, and am so ashamed, that I am unwilling to shew my face: nor do I hear any thing but reproachful words against us, and blasphemy against Thee, O God; such is the insolence of the

Psalms 44:19

19. — in the place of dragons.] That is, in the wilderness; in a wild desolate place, where were serpents and other noxious animals. The inspired author seems here to refer to some former distress of the Jewish nation. Edwards.

— covered us with the shadow of death.] That is, deprived us of all hope of escaping from our misery. Rosenmuller.

Psalms 44:22

22. Yea, for thy sake &c.] But our sufferings for the truth testify our fidelity to thee; for it is our perseverance in religion which daily exposes us to the horrors of death. Bp. Patrick, Travell.

Psalms 44:25

25. — our soul is bowed down &c.] The weight of our misery is so great, that it hath sunk us into this dejected condition, so that we have no strength left to help ourselves. Bp. Patrick, Travell.

Like the Israelites of old, we should in our afflictions comfort ourselves with the consideration of the goodness of the Lord, and the evident proofs He has in all ages given of his power and mercy. As they acknowledged that their fathers had become masters of the land of Canaan, not by their own strength, but by the power