Psalm 44:1

Translations

Modern

For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us the work You did in their days, in the days of old.

Traditional

To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.

Literal

For the one directing. Of the sons of Korah. A Maskil. O God, with our ears we have heard; our fathers have recounted to us the work You did in their days, in the days of old.

Latin

In finem. Filiis Core ad intellectum. Deus, auribus nostris audivimus, patres nostri annuntiaverunt nobis, opus quod operatus es in diebus eorum, et in diebus antiquis.

Original

Hebrew

English

For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us the work You did in their days, in the days of old.

Notes

Psalms 44:1

We have heard … the work You did: The story of redemption includes God's favor and power in his past acts of rescue (see Psalm 78:1–4; see also Psalms 105–106).

Psalms 44:1–26

This national lament after a defeat in battle continues the tone of the previous two psalms. It reflects on an unspecified moment in Israel's history and calls on God for salvation. The people:

recite God's past acts of rescue (Psalm 44:1–3),
recognize God's power to save (Psalm 44:4–8),
describe their humiliation in exile (Psalm 44:9–16),
claim their innocence and lament the injustice of their current situation (Psalm 44:17–22), and
cry for vindication (Psalm 44:23–26).

Theme notes and profiles

Complaints

Related verses

Psalm 78:3–6
…that we have heard and known and our fathers have relayed to us.
Exodus 13:14–15
In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
Judges 6:13
“Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all His wonders of which our fathers told us, saying, ‘Has not the LORD brought us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hand of Midian.”
Deuteronomy 6:20
In the future, when your son asks, “What is the meaning of the decrees and statutes and ordinances that the LORD our God has commanded you?”
Joel 1:3
Tell it to your children; let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.
Psalm 77:5
I considered the days of old, the years long in the past.
Psalm 42:1
For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God.
Psalm 105:1–2
Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the nations.
Isaiah 38:19
The living, only the living, can thank You, as I do today; fathers will tell their children about Your faithfulness.
Psalm 22:31
They will come and proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn—all that He has done.
Numbers 21:14–16
Therefore it is stated in the Book of the Wars of the LORD: “Waheb in Suphah and the wadis of the Arnon,
Job 8:8–9
Please inquire of past generations and consider the discoveries of their fathers.

Parallels

Romans 8:35–39

People

Korah: Levite rebel leader; his descendants became temple servants Maskil: A musical or literary term in the Psalms

Glossary

David Gratitude Inheritance Korahite, Korathite Music Numbers, Book of Psalms, Book of

Topics

Canaan: Land of Conquest of, by the Israelites God: Providence of Music: Maschil: This Musical Sign Occurs in the Titles of Psalms: Afflictions Sheep of Those Under God's Judgment

Psalm 44:1

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