Psalms 44:23-26

[23] Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever. [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.

What is the context of Psalms 44:23-26?

What does Psalms 44:23-26 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The psalmist cried out to God to act for His people. He pictured God as asleep and in need of arousing (cf. Mark 4:38). Yahweh could not be angry because His people had not sinned by turning to another god ( Psalm 44:18; Psalm 44:20). Israel had come to the end of her rope and was almost dead. Since Yahweh had pledged to protect His people, the writer concluded with an appeal to His loyal love.

Sometimes believers suffer through no apparent fault of their own. In such situations we should maintain our trust and obedience, and we should call on God to deliver us as He has promised to do. Even if He allows us to perish in this life, we should still remain faithful to Him (cf. Job 13:15).