Faithful in the Dark

Psalm 44's title says it is For the Chief Musician, By the sons of Korah, a contemplative psalm. It is a community lament, a prayer by God's whole people when they feel abandoned. It begins by remembering the past: our fathers have told us what work you did in their days. God planted Israel in the land. They didn't get the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them; but your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, because you were favorable to them. God, you are my King. I will not trust in my bow. In God we have made our boast all day long.

Then comes a painful but now. The people have been defeated in battle, plundered, scattered among the nations, and mocked by their neighbors. All day long my dishonor is before me, and shame covers my face. What makes this psalm unusual is that the people do not say they suffered for disobeying. All this has come on us, yet we haven't forgotten you. We haven't been false to your covenant. They ask whether God would not search it out if they had spread out their hands to a strange god. For he knows the secrets of the heart.

Then they say, Yes, for your sake we are killed all day long. We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter. In the New Testament, Paul quotes this verse and then declares that nothing can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:36-39). The psalm ends with bold prayer: Wake up! Why do you sleep, Lord? Arise! Don't reject us forever. Rise up to help us. Redeem us for your loving kindness' sake.