17 All this has come upon us, but we have not forgotten You, And we have not dealt falsely with Your covenant . 18 Our heart has not turned back , And our steps have not deviated from Your way , 19 Yet You have crushed us in a place of jackals And covered us with the shadow of death . 20 If we had forgotten the name of our God Or extended our hands to a strange god , 21 Would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart . 22 But for Your sake we are killed all day long; We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered . 23 Arouse Yourself, why do You sleep , O Lord ? Awake , do not reject us forever . 24 Why do You hide Your face And forget our affliction and our oppression ? 25 For our soul has sunk down into the dust ; Our body cleaves to the earth . 26 Rise up, be our help , And redeem us for the sake of Your lovingkindness .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 44:17-26
Commentary on Psalm 44:17-26
(Read Psalm 44:17-26)
In afflictions, we must not seek relief by any sinful compliance; but should continually meditate on the truth, purity, and knowledge of our heart-searching God. Hearts sins and secret sins are known to God, and must be reckoned for. He knows the secret of the heart, therefore judges of the words and actions. While our troubles do not drive us from our duty to God, we should not suffer them to drive us from our comfort in God. Let us take care that prosperity and ease do not render us careless and lukewarm. The church of God cannot be prevailed on by persecution to forget God; the believer's heart does not turn back from God. The Spirit of prophecy had reference to those who suffered unto death, for the testimony of Christ. Observe the pleas used, verses 25,26. Not their own merit and righteousness, but the poor sinner's pleas. None that belong to Christ shall be cast off, but every one of them shall be saved, and that for ever. The mercy of God, purchased, promised, and constantly flowing forth, and offered to believers, does away every doubt arising from our sins; while we pray in faith, Redeem us for thy mercies' sake.