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Lutheran reading notes

In Psalms chapter 44, the wisdom literature continues to explore prayer, worship, lament, praise, and trust in God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.

Theme: Wisdom, prayer, and faithful living Key people: Wise figures Key place: Israel Liturgical use: Wisdom lections
1 [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. {Maschil: or, of instruction}
Psalms 44:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2 {How} thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; {how} thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.
Psalms 44:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3 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.
Psalms 44:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4 Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.
Psalms 44:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5 Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
Psalms 44:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
Psalms 44:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7 But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
Psalms 44:7 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8 In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.
Psalms 44:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9 But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies.
Psalms 44:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10 Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves.
Psalms 44:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11 Thou hast given us like sheep {appointed} for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen. {like...: Heb. as sheep of meat}
Psalms 44:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12 Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase {thy wealth} by their price. {for...: Heb. without riches}
Psalms 44:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13 Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
Psalms 44:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14 Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.
Psalms 44:14 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15 My confusion {is} continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,
Psalms 44:15 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16 For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.
Psalms 44:16 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17 All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.
Psalms 44:17 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18 Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way; {steps: or, goings}
Psalms 44:18 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19 Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.
Psalms 44:19 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;
Psalms 44:20 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
Psalms 44:21 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
22 Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
Psalms 44:22 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
23 Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast {us} not off for ever.
Psalms 44:23 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, {and} forgettest our affliction and our oppression?
Psalms 44:24 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth.
Psalms 44:25 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
26 Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake. {for our...: Heb. a help for us}
Psalms 44:26 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.