What does Psalm 44:24 mean?

"Why" is perhaps the most painful single word in any language. As limited beings, we cannot fully understand all things. When circumstances are beyond our grasp, and we suffer, that lack of understanding adds to our pain. Here, the psalmist grieves that Israel has suffered humiliation for what he believes is no reason at all (Psalm 44:17–22). The prior verse went as far as to accuse—or at least almost accuse—the Lord of being indifferent and "asleep" regarding Israel's pain. Now the writer directly asks to know the cause behind his anguish.

In biblical writing, the idea of God turning His face towards or away from someone was a symbol of favor or displeasure. The Levitical benediction includes the hope that the Lord would shine His face upon His people and be gracious to them (Numbers 6:24–26). However, the Lord's face is "against those who do evil" (Psalm 34:16). The psalmist was certain that Israel had not committed evil, so he wondered why the Lord was hiding His face from the nation. It seemed that the Lord had forgotten Israel during her affliction and oppression. But the Lord does not forget His people. Jerusalem says to the Lord in Isaiah 49:14: "The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me." But the Lord answers: "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you" (Isaiah 49:15).

In the book of Romans, Paul cites an earlier verse from this psalm (Romans 8:36; Psalm 44:22) when teaching that suffering does not prove God has abandoned His love for us (Romans 8:28–39). Other Scriptures express honest human frustration (Habakkuk 1:2–4; Psalm 73:2–3). Yet they also note the ultimate goodness of God (Job 13:15; Psalm 73:15–19; Habakkuk 1:5–11). Even here, in expressing his agony, the psalmist refers to God's "steadfast love" and loyalty (Psalm 44:26).