Psalm 44
Theme
Redemption Remembered in Present Dishonor
Outline
1-8, Present Trust Based on Past Help 9-16, Cursed, Rejected, and Mocked 17-26, Present Faithfulness Based on Future Hope
Key Verse
(44:22) Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. (44:1) We have heard with our ears, O God, Our fathers have told us, the deeds You did in their days
Notes
Psalm 44 primarily features first-person plurals, representing the voice of the believing community rather than an individual. It reflects the shared experiences of defeat, shame, and despair faced by the faithful remnant, echoing themes from Psalms 42 and 43. The psalmist recalls God's past deeds, emphasizing trust and praise for Yahweh, while lamenting their current rejection and suffering at the hands of enemies. Despite feeling abandoned, the psalmist asserts the covenant remains intact and calls for divine help based on God's steadfast love. The psalm follows a chiastic structure, highlighting themes of past help, present trust, and future hope.