Rise up; be our help! Redeem us on account of Your loving devotion.
The psalmist rehearses God's faithfulness to the fathers, then lodges a sharp complaint: He no longer goes forth with us as He once did. The structure is plain: mercies remembered, present affliction lamented, covenant loyalty maintained despite suffering, and a final prayer that God not forget the dishonor done to His worship.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 44:1-26
Arise for our help. A short, but sweet and comprehensive prayer, much to the point, clear, simple, urgent, as all prayers should be. And redeem us for thy mercies' sake. Here is the final plea. The favour is redemption, the plea is mercy; and this, too, in the case of faithful sufferers who had not forgotten their God.
We have not forgotten You or cast off worship of You, though we suffer what seems unbearable. We have not harbored hard thoughts against You or turned our hearts from Your way, even when covered with the shadow of death and broken among fierce men. Though You have slain us, we continue to trust.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 44:17-26