Psalm 44

In this Psalm we see the saints involved in a ministry of intercession for the sinful society in which they live.  The appearance of one particular verse (22) in the New Testament helps us see how this passage fits the current context.  To benefit from this let us first seek to understand the Song in its context. 

·         V1-3: Testimony.  There is first a reminder of the great works of God in the past, the testimony of older saints.

·         V4-8: Confession.  The writer has no hesitation in affirming that God has not changed.  He is still our “boast”; His name is to be praised.  This stanza is well worth the discipline to commit it to memory.

·         V9-12: Complaint.  The “complaint” section is somewhat lengthy.  And at first it is not hard to see the problem.  The current situation in Israel is that God has “cast off” His people to the point of being scattered among the nations.  The prophecies of the Pentateuch (e.g. Deut. 28,32) indicate the Nation’s disobedience has finally brought God to the place of severe judgment.

·         V13-16: Complaint.  The result of the “scattering” is that they are the reproach of their neighbors.

·         V17-22: Complaint.  This stanza reveals another important issue in the historical “context”.  In the midst of the sinful nation there is a righteous remnant, and they are the ones lifting this prayer.  Paul’s use of v22 in Rom. 8:36 helps us understand what is happening.  In Rom. 8 Paul says that terrible afflictions come on the righteous people of God; and yet they are never separated from His love!  So here in the Psalmists situation the righteous are suffering affliction because of their being part of the wicked nation.  But they plead their integrity. 

·         V23-26: Petition.  Out of this confidence, that God remembers the righteous and makes a distinction in judgment between the just and the unjust (2 Peter 2:9), the saints pray that God will be their help.  They rightfully ask God to mercifully come to their aid, something He actually delights to do.

Perhaps we can imagine some similarities here to the intercession of Abraham for Lot and the people of Sodom (Gen. 18).  You may remember that he almost bargained with God to the point where God said that for the sake ten righteous people He would not destroy the city.  He pled for the city for the sake of the godly people who lived there.

Again, remember the intercession of our Lord Himself.  He too prays for the righteous who live in the wicked world (John 17:13-19).  As Romans 8 indicates, the intercession of Christ (v34) is one of the fundamental reasons that nothing shall separate us from Him!

Let us learn and commit ourselves to this privilege of intercession.  We have a standing before God that allows us to pray in the name of Christ for those around us.  We have a faith that is built on the great work of salvation performed by our God in Christ.  Let us strongly pray for the world in which we live and testify. 

And let us not be afraid to be “sheep for the slaughter” in the cause of Christ.  Nothing can separate us from His love.  And beyond that, “we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us” (Rom. 8:37).  May these afflictions be stepping stones to the greater exaltation of Christ.