Psalm 44:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me.

NIV: I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory;

NASB: For I will not trust in my bow, Nor will my sword save me.

CSB: For I do not trust in my bow, and my sword does not bring me victory.

NLT: I do not trust in my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me.

KJV: For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.

NKJV: For I will not trust in my bow, Nor shall my sword save me.

This psalm started with remembrance of Israel's victories in generations past (Psalm 44:1–3). Next, the writer clearly states his understanding that God—not man—is the ultimate source of victory. Israel's success, and even his own achievements, come only by the power of the Lord (Psalm 44:4–5). This verse expresses humility: the person carrying weapons understands their fate is in God's hands (Psalm 44:7).

Facing life's battles with confidence is helpful, but not when hope is placed in something unreliable. Resources can be used up. Riches cannot keep debilitating illness at bay. Physical strength weakens with age. Human will, alone, cannot resist all temptation (Romans 3:23). Nor can self-confidence withstand the Devil's assaults on a believer's spirituality. The disciple Peter was overly confident when he boasted he would never fall away from Jesus (Matthew 26:33). Very soon, however, Peter let Jesus down. He fell asleep in the garden of Gethsemane after the Lord had told him and two other disciples to watch with Him (Matthew 26:36–46). Later, Peter denied even knowing his Savior (Matthew 26:69–75).

This passage sets conditions for the psalmist's complaint: that God has chosen not to give Israel victory in a recent battle (Psalm 44:9).

Psalm 44:4–8 is still focused on God's mighty deeds of the past (Psalm 44:1–3). Here, however, the psalmist expresses his present faith in the Lord. He intends to praise God now and in the future. This declaration helps to frame the psalmist's anguished confusion in the next passage—as if the writer is careful to qualify his upcoming complaint. Beginning in verse 9, the tone shifts dramatically as the writer mourns God's current treatment of the Israelites.

Israel passed down stories of God's miraculous power and the victories the Lord granted. However, this psalm comes after the nation has suffered some humiliating defeat. The psalmist struggles to understand why, as he sees no evidence of national sin in Israel to justify punishment. The writer expresses raw emotion, frustrated and anguished, yet prays for rescue out of faith in God's lovingkindness.

This psalm seems to follow a major defeat in battle. No explicit context is given, though the psalmist claims it was not God's punishment for national idolatry. Some commentators see connection to a conflict with Edom, who surprised Israel when the nation was engaged in other battles (Psalm 60; 85; Amos 1:6; 2 Samuel 8:13) as a possible explanation. This is another example of biblical writers expressing raw human emotions as they struggle to understand God's will. Psalms 69 and 73 include related themes. Habakkuk chapter 1 expresses similar ideas.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.