Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

This is the third time the psalmist has affirmed his resolve to hope in God and praise him rather than to sink into discouragement and self-pity. The ‘spiritual man’ takes a stand and repeats his com- mitment to rise above the emotions of despair. He has changed his mind and chooses to rely upon the sufficiency and grace of God.

PSALM 44: SLAUGHTERED LIKE SHEEP Nothing Can Separate Us From Christ’s Love

This is a song of suffering when Israel had experienced defeat and persecution by a foreign army. It is the uncaused suffering like Job on a national scale and the psalmist maintains the innocence of his country of having transgressed God’s commands. Paul quotes this psalm in Romans 8:36 emphasiz- ing that no trouble we will ever face can “ separate us from Christ’s love. ” It has been thought of through the centuries as the song of the persecuted church that has suffered for its faithfulness to God.

I. PAST SUCCESS - 1-8 (Interlude/Selah) II. PERSECUTION AND SHAME - 9-16 III. PIETY AND SUFFERING - 17-22 IV. PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION - 23-26

INTRODUCTION:

“ For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah.” (See Psalm 42)

The circumstances surrounding the events of this psalm make it difficult to understand when it was written. Based on the information given by the psalmist it was authored during a time of spiritual faith- fulness by the nation yet they had suffered several defeats by a foreign power. They were still in exis- tence with their army intact yet they were experiencing extreme persecution resulting in many deaths. Perhaps it was written during: • The reign of David- The similarities between this Psalm and Psalm 60 is a strong indication that it was written during a temporary setback in the war with the Ammonites, Syrians and Philistines de- scribed in 1 Chronicles 19, 20. • The reign of Josiah- His tragic war with Pharaoh Neco of Egypt resulted in his death and de- feat. “ But Josiah refused to listen to Neco, to whom God had indeed spoken, and he would not turn back…”(2 Chron. 35:22) • The Maccabees- During the time between the Old Testament and the New Testament this priestly family led the nation in a war with Syria in which thousands were martyred 1 . “ O God, we have heard it with our own ears- our ancestors have told us of all you did in other days, in days long ago: you drove out the pagan nations and gave all the land to our ancestors: you crushed their enemies, setting them free.” (1,2) One of the greatest functions of music is to create strong memories in the listener. Through the songs of the scripture, the ancient history of Israel was preserved and handed down to each generation. The people of God understood their identity because of the Psalms that rehearsed and celebrated the pre- vious victories of their ancestors. They understood that they were a people destined to triumph through their God. I PAST SUCCESS - 1-8

It was not their abilities that secured their victory in the land of Canaan: • “ They did not conquer the land with their swords; • It was not their own strength that gave them victory.”(3)

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