Psalm 44:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah. O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old:

NIV: For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil. We have heard it with our ears, O God; our ancestors have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago.

NASB: God, we have heard with our ears, Our fathers have told us The work that You did in their days, In the days of old.

CSB: God, we have heard with our ears -- our ancestors have told us -- the work you accomplished in their days, in days long ago:

NLT: O God, we have heard it with our own ears — our ancestors have told us of all you did in their day, in days long ago:

KJV: {To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil.} 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.

NKJV: {To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the sons of Korah.} We have heard with our ears, O God, Our fathers have told us, The deeds You did in their days, In days of old:

The psalmist acknowledges that he and his fellow Israelites were told stories of God's miraculous works on behalf of Israel (Psalm 44:2–3). Asaph, another psalmist, noted Israel's commitment to passing those experiences down to future generations (Psalm 78:3–4). Those events were the very essence of Israel's history, including the miraculous exodus from Egypt to the settlement in Canaan.

God's works included the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14), the supply of manna (Exodus 16), the provision of water from a rock (Exodus 17:1–7), the defeat of enemies in the wilderness (Exodus 17:8–16; Numbers 21), the crossing of the Jordan River (Joshua 3), the collapse of Jericho's walls (Joshua 6), and the defeat of militaristic Canaanites in well-fortified cities (Joshua 7—12). Only God could have defeated the battle-seasoned Canaanites, as the Israelites had spent centuries as slaves in Egypt. They were accustomed to working with bricks and mortar; they had no training or experience in weaponry and fighting.

This is part of an introduction which will soon turn to anguish, as the writer struggles to understand Israel's current misery (Psalm 44:9).

This passage is labeled using the Hebrew word maskiyl, which seems to mean a pensive, somber song of self-reflection (Psalm 32; 52; 89). The "Sons of Korah" are likely descendants of those who survived God's judgment on Korah during the exodus (Numbers 16:25–32; 26:9–11).

Psalm 44:1–3 is a suitable prelude. The psalmist recalls God's wondrous deeds on behalf of Israel from the exodus from Egypt to the settlement of Canaan. These events are covered in the books of Exodus, Numbers, Joshua, and Judges. This is followed by an expression of trust in God (Psalm 44:4–8). The rest of the psalm forms a lament, a striking contrast to these opening lines.

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.