Psalm 44

Psalm 44

For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah.

1 O God, we have heard it with our own ears—
our ancestors have told us
of all you did in their day,
in days long ago:2 You drove out the pagan nations by your power
and gave all the land to our ancestors.
You crushed their enemies
and set our ancestors free.3 They did not conquer the land with their swords;
it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory.
It was your right hand and strong arm
and the blinding light from your face that helped them,
for you loved them.4 You are my King and my God.
You command victories for Israel.t5 Only by your power can we push back our enemies;
only in your name can we trample our foes.6 I do not trust in my bow;
I do not count on my sword to save me.7 You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies;
you disgrace those who hate us.8 O God, we give glory to you all day long
and constantly praise your name.
Interlude9 But now you have tossed us aside in dishonor.
You no longer lead our armies to battle.10 You make us retreat from our enemies
and allow those who hate us to plunder our land.11 You have butchered us like sheep
and scattered us among the nations.12 You sold your precious people for a pittance,
making nothing on the sale.13 You let our neighbors mock us.
We are an object of scorn and derision to those around us.14 You have made us the butt of their jokes;
they shake their heads at us in scorn.15 We can’t escape the constant humiliation;
shame is written across our faces.16 All we hear are the taunts of our mockers.
All we see are our vengeful enemies.17 All this has happened though we have not forgotten you.
We have not violated your covenant.18 Our hearts have not deserted you.
We have not strayed from your path.19 Yet you have crushed us in the jackal’s desert home.
You have covered us with darkness and death.20 If we had forgotten the name of our God
or spread our hands in prayer to foreign gods,21 God would surely have known it,
for he knows the secrets of every heart.22 But for your sake we are killed every day;
we are being slaughtered like sheep.23 Wake up, O Lord! Why do you sleep?
Get up! Do not reject us forever.24 Why do you look the other way?
Why do you ignore our suffering and oppression?25 We collapse in the dust,
lying face down in the dirt.26 Rise up! Help us!
Ransom us because of your unfailing love.

PSALMS 44

A Prayer for Help

1 Our God, our ancestors told us
what wonders you worked
and we listened carefully.

2 You chased off the nations
by causing them trouble
with your powerful arm.
Then you let our ancestors
take over their land.

3 Their strength and weapons
were not what won the land
and gave them victory!
You loved them and fought
with your powerful arm
and your shining glory.

4 You are my God and King,
and you give victoryt
to the people of Jacob.

5 By your great power,
we knocked our enemies down
and trampled on them.

6 I don't depend on my arrows
or my sword to save me.

7 But you saved us
from our hateful enemies,
and you put them to shame.

8 We boast about you, our God,
and we are always grateful.

9 But now you have rejected us;
you don't lead us into battle,
and we look foolish.

10 You made us retreat,
and our enemies have taken
everything we own.

11 You let us be slaughtered
like sheep,
and you scattered us
among the nations.

12 You sold your people
for little or nothing,
and you earned no profit.

13 You made us look foolish
to our neighbors;
people who live nearby
insult us and sneer.

14 Foreigners joke about us
and shake their heads.

15 I am embarrassed every day,
and I blush with shame.

16 But others mock and sneer,
as they watch my enemies
take revenge on me.

17 All this happened to us,
though we didn't forget you
or break our agreement.

18 We always kept you in mind
and followed your teaching.

19 But you crushed us,
and you covered us
with deepest darkness
where wild animals live.

20 We did not forget you
or lift our hands in prayer
to foreign gods.

21 You would have known it
because you discover
every secret thought.

22  t We face death all day for you.
We are like sheep on their way
to be slaughtered.

23 Wake up! Do something, Lord!
Why are you sleeping?
Don't desert us forever.

24 Why do you keep looking away?
Don't forget our sufferings
and all our troubles.

25 We are flat on the ground,
holding on to the dust.

26 Do something! Help us!
Show how kind you are
and come to our rescue.