the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 4 of 5
Psalms 44:1-8
While the psalms of the 1st book were nearly all psalms of David, these which we are now considering (Psalms 42:1-11; Psalms 43:1-5; Psalms 44:1-26; Psalms 45:1-17; Psalms 46:1-11; Psalms 47:1-9; Psalms 48:1-14; Psalms 49:1-20) were composed by the sons of Korah, those objects of grace who had been spared at the time of God’s judgment on their father (see Numbers 26:11). That is why it is so remarkable to hear these men recalling the marvellous works done by God "in the times of old". For they, more than anyone else, are in a position to appreciate and celebrate the mercy of God. No, it was not the sword of the children of Israel which was able to save them and give them possession of their land (we only need to think of the crossing of the Red Sea, and the capture of Jericho). And the memory of the great acts of deliverance in the past is a lesson for these faithful men. Truly, they could no more trust in their own arms to conquer any more than their fathers could (v. 6). "Through thee" and "through thy name" (v. 5; Hosea 1:7) – that is where the believer finds his sole resource.
Another noticeable difference from the 1st book of psalms is the use here of the name of God (Almighty), while up to Psalms 41:1-13 it was always the LORD (Jehovah). This is the sad proof that now the faithful men and women of Israel no longer have any relationship with the formal worship which has now become apostate. The close relationship assured to them by the name of the LORD has been broken (Exodus 6:3; Exodus 6:6-8), but the true believer can still call on the supreme God.
