441 To the Overseer.—By sons of Korah. An Instruction. O God, with our ears we have heard, Our fathers have recounted to us, The work Thou didst work in their days, In the days of old. 2 Thou, 'with' Thy hand, nations hast dispossessed. And Thou dost plant them. Thou afflictest peoples, and sendest them away. 3 For, not by their sword Possessed they the land, And their arm gave not salvation to them, But Thy right hand, and Thine arm, And the light of Thy countenance, Because Thou hadst accepted them. 4 Thou 'art' He, my king, O God, Command the deliverances of Jacob. 5 By Thee our adversaries we do push, By Thy name tread down our withstanders, 6 For, not in my bow do I trust, And my sword doth not save me. 7 For Thou hast saved us from our adversaries, And those hating us Thou hast put to shame. 8 In God we have boasted all the day, And Thy name to the age we thank. Selah.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 44:1-8
Commentary on Psalm 44:1-8
(Read Psalm 44:1-8)
Former experiences of God's power and goodness are strong supports to faith, and powerful pleas in prayer under present calamities. The many victories Israel obtained, were not by their own strength or merit, but by God's favour and free grace. The less praise this allows us, the more comfort it affords, that we may see all as coming from the favour of God. He fought for Israel, else they had fought in vain. This is applicable to the planting of the Christian church in the world, which was not by any human policy or power. Christ, by his Spirit, went forth conquering and to conquer; and he that planted a church for himself in the world, will support it by the same power and goodness. They trusted and triumphed in and through him. Let him that glories, glory in the Lord. But if they have the comfort of his name, let them give unto him the glory due unto it.