The nation cast off and scattered
Psalm 44 gives a full and vivid picture of the state of the
nation, as in the conscience of the remnant. They had heard with
their ears. Faith rested in the memorial of all the old mighty
deliverances wrought by God, and how He had put them in possession
of the land by His power, not theirs (v. 1-8). In verses 9-16
their present state is recounted. They are cast off and
scattered. The enemy and avenger is among them; they scattered
among the heathen sold of God for no price (v. 17-22). Yet they
have, in no wise, swerved from their integrity. On the contrary,
it is for His sake they are killed all the day long, and counted
as sheep for the slaughter. (Note, the moment Messiah was
rejected, this began in principle: compare Rom. 8:36). Verses
23-26 contain the appeal to God to wake up to redeem them for His
mercies' sake. Why should He forget them for ever? We have still
God, not Jehovah, in this psalm; for they are outside.
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