Psalm 44:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them.

NIV: It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.

NASB: For by their own sword they did not possess the land, And their own arm did not save them, But Your right hand and Your arm and the light of Your presence, For You favored them.

CSB: For they did not take the land by their sword -- their arm did not bring them victory -- but by your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, because you were favorable toward them.

NLT: They did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory. It was your right hand and strong arm and the blinding light from your face that helped them, for you loved them.

KJV: For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.

NKJV: For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, Nor did their own arm save them; But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, Because You favored them.

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).

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.