When God Is Silent Psalm 44

Bible Study Lesson: Psalm 44

1. Context of Psalm 44

Psalm 43 (Before):Psalm 43 is a plea for God’s vindication and light. The psalmist seeks God’s deliverance from deceitful and unjust people, expressing confidence that God will lead them back to His holy mountain and dwelling place, resulting in praise and joy.

Psalm 45 (After):Psalm 45 is a royal wedding song, celebrating the king's marriage. It describes the king’s splendor, his bride, and the future blessings that will come to the royal house.

Psalm 44’s Fit in Context:Psalm 44 sits between a plea for personal vindication (Psalm 43) and a celebratory royal wedding song (Psalm 45). This contrast highlights the communal lament and questioning of God’s presence in Psalm 44, set against individual plea and royal celebration.

2. Historical Context and Background

Historical Context:Psalm 44 is a communal lament attributed to the sons of Korah. This psalm is believed to have been written during a period of national crisis, possibly during the Babylonian exile or after a significant military defeat. The historical setting is one of distress and defeat, despite the nation’s faithfulness to God.

Theological Context:The psalm reflects themes of divine faithfulness versus human suffering. It deals with the apparent silence of God in the face of suffering and injustice, exploring the tension between God’s past miracles and current absence.

Liturgical Context:Psalm 44 has been used in various liturgical settings as a prayer of lament. It resonates during times of communal suffering and is often recited in services that focus on repentance and seeking God’s intervention.

Key Pivot Points:

Remembrance of God’s past deeds (verses 1-8)Lament over current suffering (verses 9-22)Plea for God’s intervention (verses 23-26)

3. Text and Analysis

Psalm 44 (ESV):

O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old:

Analysis: The psalmist recalls the stories of God’s past faithfulness, setting a foundation of trust based on historical acts.Application: Remembering past testimonies strengthens faith. Reflect on personal and communal histories of God’s interventions.Reference: Exodus 13:14 – "And when in time to come your son asks you, 'What does this mean?' you shall say to him..."

you with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted; you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free;

Analysis: Acknowledgement of God’s power in establishing Israel in the Promised Land.Application: Trust in God’s power to transform situations. Reflect on the spiritual journey and how God has “planted” you.Reference: Joshua 24:12-13 – God drove out nations before Israel and gave them a land they did not labor for.

for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them.

Analysis: Success is attributed to God’s favor, not human effort.

Application: Acknowledge God’s role in your successes. Avoid pride and give glory to God.

Reference: Deuteronomy 8:17-18 – It is God who gives the power to get wealth.

You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob!

Analysis: A direct appeal to God as King to bring salvation.

Application: Recognize God’s sovereignty in your life. Constantly seek His intervention.

Reference: Psalm 74:12 – "Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth."

Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.

Analysis: Confidence in God’s name to provide victory over enemies.A

pplication: Use prayer and God’s word as tools to overcome life’s challenges.

Reference: Psalm 18:29 – "For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall."

For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me.

Analysis: Rejecting reliance on personal strength or military might.Application: Depend on God more than on personal abilities or resources.Reference: Zechariah 4:6 – "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts."

But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us.

Analysis: Acknowledgement of past victories granted by God.

Application: Celebrate and testify about God’s deliverance in your life.

Reference: Psalm 9:3 – "When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before your presence."

In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah

Analysis: Continual praise and thanksgiving to God.

Application: Cultivate an attitude of gratitude and boast in the Lord’s works.

Reference: Jeremiah 9:24 – "But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me..."

But you have rejected us and disgraced us and have not gone out with our armies.

Analysis: Shift to lament over God’s perceived abandonment.

Application: Express honestly your feelings to God. Lament is a valid form of prayer.

Reference: Lamentations 5:22 – "Unless you have utterly rejected us, and you remain exceedingly angry with us."

You have made us turn back from the foe, and those who hate us have gotten spoil.

Analysis: Describing the defeat and humiliation faced by the people.

Application: During tough times, acknowledge hardships and seek God’s help.

Reference: Judges 2:14 – The Lord’s anger kindled against Israel, and He gave them over to plunderers.

You have made us like sheep for slaughter and have scattered us among the nations.

Analysis: Imagery of helplessness and dispersion.Application: Pray for unity and protection within the community.Reference: Ezekiel 34:5 – "So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts."

You have sold your people for a trifle, demanding no high price for them.

Analysis: Feeling of being undervalued and abandoned by God.Application: Seek God’s reassurance of your worth and His love.Reference: Isaiah 52:3 – "For thus says the Lord: You were sold for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money."

You have made us the taunt of our neighbors, the derision and scorn of those around us.

Analysis: Experience of public shame and mockery.Application: Maintain faith and integrity despite ridicule or persecution.Reference: Psalm 79:4 – "We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us."

You have made us a byword among the nations, a laughingstock among the peoples.

Analysis: Further emphasis on humiliation and shame.Application: Hold on to God’s promises even when feeling like a “laughingstock.”Reference: Deuteronomy 28:37 – "And you shall become a horror, a proverb, and a byword among all the peoples..."

All day long my disgrace is before me, and shame has covered my face

Analysis: Constant awareness of disgrace.Application: Turn to God for comfort and vindication in times of shame.Reference: Psalm 25:2-3 – "O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me."

at the sound of the taunter and reviler, at the sight of the enemy and the avenger.

Analysis: Impact of continuous verbal assault from enemies.Application: Seek refuge in God against those who taunt and revile.Reference: Psalm 42:10 – "As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me..."

All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten you, and we have not been false to your covenant.

Analysis: Expression of innocence and faithfulness despite suffering.Application: Maintain faithfulness to God’s covenant even in adversity.Reference: Job 27:5-6 – Job’s assertion of his righteousness despite suffering.

Our heart has not turned back, nor have our steps departed from your way;

Analysis: Commitment to God’s path despite hardships.Application: Stay committed to God’s ways regardless of circumstances.Reference: Psalm 119:102 – "I have not turned aside from your rules, for you have taught me."

yet you have broken us in the place of jackals and covered us with the shadow of death.

Analysis: Feeling of being broken and surrounded by death.Application: Trust God’s presence even in the “valley of the shadow of death.”Reference: Psalm 23:4 – "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death..."

If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god,

Analysis: Affirmation of loyalty to God and rejection of idolatry.Application: Examine and reaffirm your loyalty to God alone.Reference: Deuteronomy 13:1-4 – Instructions against following other gods.

would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart.

Analysis: Acknowledging God’s omniscience.Application: Live transparently before God, knowing He sees all.Reference: 1 Samuel 16:7 – "For the Lord sees not as man sees..."

Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.

Analysis: Willingness to suffer for God’s sake.Application: Be ready to face persecution for righteousness’ sake.Reference: Romans 8:36 – Quoting this verse to emphasize suffering for Christ.

Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!

Analysis: Urgent plea for God’s attention and action.Application: Persist in prayer, calling on God to act.Reference: Psalm 121:4 – "Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep."

Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?

Analysis: Questioning God’s apparent absence.Application: Bring your doubts and questions to God in prayer.Reference: Psalm 10:1 – "Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?"

For our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly clings to the ground.

Analysis: Extreme expression of despair and humility.Application: In moments of despair, humble yourself before God.Reference: Lamentations 3:29 – "Let him put his mouth in the dust – there may yet be hope."

Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!

Analysis: Final plea for God’s redemption based on His love.Application: Trust in God’s steadfast love for redemption and deliverance.Reference: Psalm 31:16 – "Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!"

4. Preaching and Teaching Examples

Example 1:

Illustration: A story of a community facing a natural disaster and feeling abandoned by God, yet holding on to their faith.Key Message: Even in times of severe trial, faith and historical recollections of God’s faithfulness provide hope and strength.

Example 2:

Analogy: Comparing a nation’s struggle with the individual’s spiritual battles, showing how communal and personal faith intersect.Key Message: Encouraging the congregation to remember and share testimonies of God’s past faithfulness as a source of communal strength.

Example 3:

Contemporary Illustration: Use the story of a missionary who faces persecution but continues to trust in God’s deliverance.Key Message: Emphasize the power of steadfast faith and trust in God’s ultimate redemption.

5. Reference Scriptures

Exodus 13:14: God’s past deliverance remembered and passed down through generations.Joshua 24:12-13: God’s role in Israel’s victories.Deuteronomy 8:17-18: Acknowledging God’s provision and power.Psalm 74:12: God as King and Savior.Psalm 18:29: Overcoming obstacles through God.Zechariah 4:6: Reliance on God’s Spirit rather than human strength.Psalm 25:2-3: Trust in God to avoid shame.Lamentations 5:22: Expression of feeling abandoned by God.Job 27:5-6: Maintaining righteousness amidst suffering.Romans 8:36: New Testament reference to suffering for God’s sake.

6. Summary

Psalm 44 is a profound communal lament that intertwines remembrance of God’s past faithfulness with a heartfelt plea for His intervention amidst current suffering. It highlights the tension between faith and the experience of divine silence. This psalm teaches us to hold on to our faith, remember God’s past deeds, and persist in prayer, even when we feel abandoned. It encourages us to be honest in our lament and trust in God’s steadfast love for redemption. Reflecting on this passage helps individuals and communities deepen their trust in God’s sovereign power and enduring love.