Psalms 44 ⓘ
44:1 For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. A contemplative psalm. We have heard with our ears, God; our fathers have told us what work you did in their days, in the days of old.
44:2 You drove out the nations with your hand, but you planted them. You afflicted the peoples, but you spread them abroad.
44:3 For they didn’t get the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them; but your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, because you were favourable to them.
44:4 God, you are my King. Command victories for Jacob!
44:5 Through you, we will push down our adversaries. Through your name, we will tread down those who rise up against us.
44:6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither will my sword save me.
44:7 But you have saved us from our adversaries, and have shamed those who hate us.
44:8 In God we have made our boast all day long. We will give thanks to your name forever. Selah.
44:9 But now you rejected us, and brought us to dishonour, and don’t go out with our armies.
44:10 You make us turn back from the adversary. Those who hate us take plunder for themselves.
44:11 You have made us like sheep for food, and have scattered us amongst the nations.
44:12 You sell your people for nothing, and have gained nothing from their sale.
44:13 You make us a reproach to our neighbours, a scoffing and a derision to those who are around us.
44:14 You make us a byword amongst the nations, a shaking of the head amongst the peoples.
44:15 All day long my dishonour is before me, and shame covers my face,
44:16 at the taunt of one who reproaches and verbally abuses, because of the enemy and the avenger.
44:17 All this has come on us, yet we haven’t forgotten you. We haven’t been false to your covenant.
44:18 Our heart has not turned back, neither have our steps strayed from your path,
44:19 though you have crushed us in the haunt of jackals, and covered us with the shadow of death.
44:20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or spread out our hands to a strange god,
44:21 won’t God search this out? For he knows the secrets of the heart.
44:22 Yes, for your sake we are killed all day long. We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter.
44:23 Wake up! Why do you sleep, Lord? Arise! Don’t reject us forever.
44:24 Why do you hide your face, and forget our affliction and our oppression?
44:25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust. Our body clings to the earth.
44:26 Rise up to help us. Redeem us for your loving kindness’ sake.