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.
Read it in contextA Communal Lament and Plea for Deliverance
Start reading at Psalms 44:1 (Psalms 44:1 to Psalms 44:26).
The entire Psalm 44 forms a complete literary and discourse unit, beginning with a remembrance of God's past faithfulness and transitioning into a lament over present suffering and a plea for help.
44:1We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.
44:2How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.
44:3For 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.
44:4Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.
44:5Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
44:6For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
44:7But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
44:8In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.
44:9But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies.
44:10Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves.
44:11Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen.
44:12Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price.
44:13Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
44:14Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.
44:15My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,
44:16For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.
44:17All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.
44:18Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;
44:19Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death.
44:20If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;
44:21Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
44:22Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
44:23Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.
44:24Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?
44:25For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth.
44:26Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Multiple writers contributed to Psalms, including David, Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses; some psalms have no named attribution. The traditional Hebrew headings distinguish many of these contributions. Biblical references: Acts 2:25; Acts 4:25. book background
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Psalms 44:1–44:26): The community addresses God, recalling earlier deliverance and pleading for help in present defeat. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel's worshipping community, including individuals and assemblies using the psalms for prayer, praise, lament, and instruction. A particular psalm may speak directly to God, to the congregation, or to another group. Biblical references: Psalms 22:22; Psalms 78:1; Psalms 100:1. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The passage recounts how God, not human strength or military might, enabled the Israelites to possess the land in ancient times. It emphasizes God's sovereign power, His 'right hand' and 'arm,' and His favor as the true source of their victory and salvation.
What is God revealing? God is revealing Himself as the ultimate deliverer and the sole source of salvation and victory for His people. He demonstrates that success comes from His power and favor, not from human effort or weaponry.
What is the literary style? Hebrew poetry, worship.
When
When was it written? The Psalms were collected between approximately 1400 and 450 B.C. This specific psalm by the sons of Korah would fall within that period. book background
When does the event take place? The events described in Psalms 44:1-3 refer to the historical conquest of the land of Canaan by the Israelites, which occurred in 'their days, in the times of old' (Psalms 44:1), following the Exodus.
Where
Where did it happen? The events described in the verse refer to the conquest and possession of the land of Canaan by the Israelites.
Where was the author located? Israel. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in A Communal Lament and Plea for Deliverance (Psalms 44:1 to Psalms 44:26).
Start reading at Psalms 44:1. The entire Psalm 44 forms a complete literary and discourse unit, beginning with a remembrance of God's past faithfulness and transitioning into a lament over present suffering and a plea for help.
How
How does it fit the broader context? Psalms 44:1-8 serves as a historical remembrance, recalling God's past mighty acts of deliverance and favor towards Israel. This sets a stark contrast with the present suffering and perceived abandonment described in the rest of the psalm (Psalms 44:9-26), forming the basis for the psalmist's lament and plea for God's renewed intervention.
How does it point to Christ? The passage emphasizes that true salvation and victory come not by human strength or effort ('their own sword,' 'their own arm') but by God's 'right hand,' 'thine arm,' and 'the light of thy countenance,' because of His 'favour.' This points to Christ as the ultimate 'arm of the Lord' (Isaiah 53:1) through whom God accomplishes salvation. Our spiritual victory over sin and death is entirely by His power and grace, not our own works. interpretation
How do I apply it today? This passage reminds believers that true victory and success, especially in spiritual battles and life's challenges, do not come from human strength, wisdom, or resources, but solely from God's power, favor, and gracious intervention. It encourages complete reliance on God in all circumstances, acknowledging Him as the source of all deliverance and blessing.
David and others, including Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and MosesNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe superscriptions name their writers: David most often, and also Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, and Moses. The New Testament quotes psalms as David's words. Psalm 3:1Psalm 90:1Acts 2:25Acts 4:25
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition preserves the superscriptions as ancient.
What is debatedSome scholars regard certain superscriptions as later additions. The collection was assembled over centuries.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Psalms 44
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement. A quoted heading uses the opening KJV words of that stanza; the speaker and the psalm as a whole still govern its meaning.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
interpretation
“Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for…”
Connection to the wholeThe second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
Connection to the wholeThe second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
Connection to the wholeThe second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
Connection to the wholeThe second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
interpretation
“Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us…”
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Psalms
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Psalms is a collection of prayers and songs with multiple attributed writers and many unspecified occasions. Read each psalm as a poetic unit and distinguish a speaker's lament, petition, vow, and praise. The five-book arrangement does not make all psalms one continuous speech.
Connection to the wholeThe opening collection brings individual and communal prayer into the setting introduced by Psalms 1 and 2, ending with a doxology.
Connection to the wholeThe second collection continues varied prayers and songs and closes with royal prayer and a doxology; its individual psalms retain distinct voices and occasions.
FocusThe sanctuary, the nation, and covenant questions
Connection to the wholeThis collection gives prominent space to communal distress and worship, ending with the tension between the Davidic promise and the king's humiliation.
Connection to the wholeThese psalms include reflection on human frailty, the LORD's kingship, worship, and Israel's history, and close with a doxology.
FocusThanksgiving, pilgrimage, and concluding praise
Connection to the wholeThe final collection gathers varied songs, the songs of degrees, and concluding calls to praise. Each psalm should first be read in its own poetic movement.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.