DEFEATED-Psalm 44

Old Testament, Psalms, Sermons

“Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever” (Ps 44:23).

“You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob.” “But now you have rejected and humbled us; you no longer go out with our armies” (Ps 44:4, 9).

  1. I. The Glorious Past (44:1-8). You won victories for us.
  2. II. The Disastrous Present (44:9-16). You have abandoned us.
  3. III. A Protestation of Innocence (44:17-22). We have been faithful.
  4. IV. O Lord, why… (44:23-26). Awake, Lord! Don’t reject us.

Lamenting and pleading. Book II (42-72) begins much as Book I (1-41) ends, with lamenting and pleas for deliverance. Book II begins with a sense of bewilderment at the seeming absence of God in a time of defeat and extreme need (Ps 42:2-3, 9-10; 44:9, 23-25), yet with a longing for restoration by God while downcast and depressed, and with a confident trust in God (Ps 42:5, 11; 43:5) and in his deliverance (Ps 44:26).

  • As Book I ends (Psalm 1-41) with lamenting and pleas for deliverance (Ps 38:1-2, 21-22; 39:11-12; 40:12, 17; 41:4), how does Book II (Psalm 42-72) similarly begin (Ps 42:2-3, 9-10)?
  • Has God rejected his people (Ps 44:9, 23)?
  1. What past deeds of God was being recalled (Ps 44:1-2, 3a; Dt 7:1, 2a; Jos 24:12-13)? Why did God act on their behalf (Ps 44:3b; Dt 4:37; 7:8)?
    • Who did they attribute their success to (Ps 44:4-7; Jer 9:23-24)?
    • How does the military language (Ps 44:5-7) compare with your spiritual warfare (Eph 6:10-11)?
    • How might remembering God’s acts strengthen your faith (Ps 44:8; Exo 14:30-31)?
  2. How did the psalmist expresses himself regarding their current situation (Ps 44:9-11, 12-14, 15-16)? Was he accusing God of rejecting (Ps 44:9) and abandoning them (Ps 44:12)?
    • How do you deal with feelings of disgrace and shame (Ps 44:15; 1 Pet 4:17)?
    • Did Jesus feel the same way (Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34)?
  3. How was the psalmist faithful to God (Ps 44:17-19, 20-22)?
    • Is he blaming God for not being faithful to his covenant with Israel (Dt 7:9)?
    • Can you explain why the faithful and the “innocent” suffer (Jas 1:2-4; Rom 5:3-5)? Why does God allow the innocent to suffer (Jn 9:3; 11:4; 21:15; Job 1:9-11; 13:15)? Can you be innocent if you are a sinner (Rom 3:23)?
    • What does it mean to be “considered as sheep to be slaughtered” for God’s sake (Ps 44:22; Isa 53:7)? How does Paul apply this verse (Rom 8:36; 2 Cor 4:11)? How do you view suffering?
  4. What does the psalmist’s plea reveal about his relationship with God (Ps 44:23-26; 13:1-4; Rev 6:9-11)?
    • How does his appeal to God’s love [hesed] (Ps 44:26) show about him and about God (Exo 34:6-7; Lam 3:22-23; Eph 2:4-5)?
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