What does Psalm 44:3 mean?
When Israel came out of Egyptian slavery and settled in Canaan, victory was secured entirely by the Lord's power (Deuteronomy 9:1–5). These stories were passed down by each generation (Psalm 44:1). God was the sole reason Israel survived and was able to flourish in the Promised Land (Psalm 44:2). This is part of an introduction establishing the psalmist's faith in God (Psalm 44:5–8). This will then shift to frustration, as the writer fumbles to grasp why God allowed Israel to be defeated in some recent battle (Psalm 44:9).The Bible clearly commands God's people to reject self-confidence and instead trust in the Lord. In Psalm 118:7 the psalmist testifies, "The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me." In the next verse he counsels, "It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man" (Psalm 118:8). Proverbs 3:5 challenges believers to trust in the Lord with all their heart. Because Christ is on the believer's side, the believer is more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37). Young David is a good example of what confidence in the Lord can accomplish. He refused to take on unfamiliar weapons or armor (1 Samuel 17:38–40). Instead, he approached Goliath in the name of the Lord and won a momentous victory for Israel (1 Samuel 17:41–51).