Psalm 44 · Erlöse uns, o Gott

1For the leader. Of the Korahites. A maskil.

2We have heard, O God,our ancestors have told usthe deeds You performed in their time,in days of old.

3With Your hand You planted them,displacing nations;You brought misfortune on peoples,and drove them out.

4It was not by their sword that they took the land,their arm did not give them victory,but Your right hand, Your arm, and Your goodwill,for You favored them.

5You are my king, O God;decree victories for Jacob!

6Through You we gore our foes;by Your name we trample our adversaries;

7I do not trust in my bow;it is not my sword that gives me victory;

8You give us victory over our foes;You thwart those who hate us.

9In God we glory at all times,and praise Your name unceasingly. Selah.

10Yet You have rejected and disgraced us;You do not go with our armies.

11You make us retreat before our foe;our enemies plunder us at will.

12You let them devour us like sheep;You disperse us among the nations.

13You sell Your people for no fortune,You set no high price on them.

14You make us the butt of our neighbors,the scorn and derision of those around us.

15You make us a byword among the nations,a laughingstock among the peoples.

16I am always aware of my disgrace;I am wholly covered with shame

17at the sound of taunting revilers,in the presence of the vengeful foe.

18All this has come upon us,yet we have not forgotten You,or been false to Your covenant.

19Our hearts have not gone astray,nor have our feet swerved from Your path,

20though You cast us, crushed, to where the sea monster = tannin, as in Ezek. 29.3; 32.2. is,and covered us over with deepest darkness.

21If we forgot the name of our Godand spread forth our hands to a foreign god,

22God would surely search it out,as the One who knows the secrets of the heart.

23It is for Your sake that we are slain all day long,that we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.

24Rouse Yourself; why do You sleep, O my Sovereign?Awaken, do not reject us forever!

25Why do You hide Your face,ignoring our affliction and distress?

26We lie prostrate in the dust;our body clings to the ground.

27Arise and help us,redeem us, as befits Your faithfulness.