Psalm 44

 

1 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. 2 How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out. 3 For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. 4 Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. 5 Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. 6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. 7 But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us. 8 In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name forever. Selah. 9 But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies. 10 Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves. 11 Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat, and hast scattered us among the heathen. 12 Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price. 13 Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us. 14 Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people. 15 My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me, 16 For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth, by reason of the enemy and avenger. 17 All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant. 18 Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way; 19 Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death. 20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; 21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. 22 Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. 23 Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off forever. 24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression? 25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth. 26 Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake. Prayer:

Abba Father, in the name of Jesus, we have heard with our ears of Your mighty deeds in times of old, how You drove out nations and planted Your people. It was not by their own strength, but by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because of Your favor toward them. You are our King, and we ask for Your command of deliverance for Your people.

Through You, we push down our enemies; through Your name, we tread upon those who rise against us. We acknowledge that our trust is not in our own abilities but in You, the source of our strength and salvation.

Yet, Lord, we find ourselves in times of trouble. We have faced shame and setbacks, and it seems as if You have cast us off. Our hearts are turned back from the enemy, and we feel scattered among the nations. Our situation is known to You, and we pour out our hearts in honesty.

Even in our affliction, we have not forgotten You. Our hearts have not turned away from Your covenant. We confess our dependence on You, acknowledging that without You, we are like sheep appointed for slaughter. We are vulnerable and in need of Your mercy.

Awake, O Lord! Do not cast us off forever. In our distress, we seek Your face and ask for Your redemption. Our souls are bowed down, and we cleave to the earth, but we look to You for help. Arise for our assistance, and redeem us for the sake of Your mercies.

In Jesus' name, we pray.

Amen.