HEADING. ‘For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Maschil The meaning of Maschil in this context is not certain. It is used to describe a number of Psalms. But the word maschil means ‘understanding'. It has been variously interpreted as meaning, ‘a teaching Psalm' (although that does... [ Continue Reading ]
A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR HIS PEOPLE IN THE PAST (PSALMS 44:1). The Psalmist first calls to mind how it was God Who gave His people victory when they initially took possession of the land of Canaan. Psalms 44:1 ‘We have heard with our ears, O God, Our fathers have told us, What wor... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PSALMIST EXPRESSES HIS GENERAL CONFIDENCE IN THE FACT THAT GOD WILL IN THE FUTURE FIGHT FOR THEM AND ACT ON THEIR BEHALF AS HE HAS IN THE PAST (PSALMS 44:4). The Psalmist speaks in the singular as well as in the plural, and speaks of ‘my sword', which suggests that he is the king. But here he a... [ Continue Reading ]
IN VIEW OF THEIR TRUST IN GOD THEY CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEREFORE THEY HAVE FACED DEFEAT AT THE HANDS OF THEIR ENEMIES SO THAT SOME OF HIS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TAKEN CAPTIVE AND ARE NOW SLAVES IN THE HANDS OF THEIR ENEMIES, WHILE THE REMAINDER OF THE NATION IS DISHONOURED BY WHAT HAS HAPPENED (PSALMS 4... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT IS MORE THE PSALMIST CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS, FOR IN HIS VIEW THEY HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL TO HIS COVENANT AND HAVE WALKED IN HIS WAY (PSALMS 44:17). Psalms 44:17 ‘All this is come upon us, yet have we not forgotten you, Nor have we dealt falsely in your covenant. Our heart is not turned bac... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PSALMIST NOW ADMITS THAT POSSIBLY THEY HAVE BEEN AT FAULT (PSALMS 44:20). Psalms 44:20 ‘If we have forgotten the name of our God, Or spread forth our hands to a strange god, Will not God search this out? For he knows the secrets of the heart. Yes, for your sake are we killed all the day lo... [ Continue Reading ]
AWOKEN HIMSELF TO THE TRUE SITUATION HE NOW CALLS ON THEIR SOVEREIGN LORD TO AWAKEN AND RISE UP AND HELP THEM (PSALMS 44:23). Psalms 44:23 ‘Awake, why do you sleep, O Lord? Arise, do not cast us off for ever. Why do you hide your face, And forget our affliction and our oppression? For our soul... [ Continue Reading ]