What does Psalm 44:8 mean?

This concludes a series of positive remarks (Psalm 44:1–7) emphasizing God's miraculous power. He provided victory to Israel in the past: stories recorded in the Pentateuch and passed down from generation to generation. The psalmist credits God, and God alone, with any success the nation has. This provides reason for "boasting," in the Lord, as well as appreciation.

These verses establish a clear context for what comes next. The remainder of the psalm expresses confusion, anguish, and frustration. Israel has suffered an especially embarrassing defeat (Psalm 44:9), and the writer is at a loss to explain it. Such statements could easily be seen as a rejection of God—prefacing them with these explanations of the Lord's power and faithfulness puts them in proper perspective. The psalmist who asks, "why, God?" in the upcoming verses is the same who affirmed the Lord as his "King" (Psalm 44:4).

Celebrating the Lord and giving thanks to Him are appropriate actions for believers to take. The apostle Paul writes, "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Galatians 6:14). In Ephesians 3:21 he exhorts, "to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Offering thanksgiving to God is also the believer's responsibility. Paul commands in Colossians 3:17, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Also, in 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 he explains that thanksgiving is God's will for believers. He writes, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."