Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Psalm 44 NIV
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A maskil.
1 We have heard it with our ears, O God; our ancestors have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago. 2 With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our ancestors; you crushed the peoples and made our ancestors flourish. 3 It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them. 4 You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob. 5 Through you we push back our enemies; through your name, we trample our foes. 6 I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; 7 but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame.
8 In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever. 9 But now you have rejected and humbled us; you no longer go out with our armies. 10 You made us retreat before the enemy, and our adversaries have plundered us. 11 You gave us up to be devoured like sheep and have scattered us among the nations. 12 You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale. 13 You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around us. 14 You have made us a byword among the nations; the peoples shake their heads at us. 15 I live in disgrace all day long, and my face is covered with shame 16 at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me, because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge. 17 All this came upon us, though we had not forgotten you; we had not been false to your covenant. 18 Our hearts had not turned back; our feet had not strayed from your path. 19 But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals; you covered us over with deep darkness. 20 If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, 21 would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart? 22 Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. 23 Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever. 24 Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression? 25 We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground. 26 Rise up and help us;
rescue us because of your unfailing love.
How does the author of this Psalm see God related to his problems?
History has a way of repeating itself. You did mighty works for the nation of Isreal. You made a covenant with them and blessed them. But they did not keep their part of the covenant and You allowed enemies to conquer them. Lord, America was originally founded on a covenant with You. They committed this nation to You and You have blessed it with victory, with freedom, and with prosperity. Forgive us Lord for not fulfilling our part of the covenant. As a result, things have changed. You have rejected us and humbled us. Although millions still honor You, this country has moved away from You and You from it. It has become challenging to proclaim that You are Lord without retaliation. But I know that You will not leave me or forsake me. You have heard my prayers and You will again show Your love and power to the people in this country. As I face the challenges of today and of the future, I thank You for the victories you have given us. I do not rely on my own strength for the future but instead, put my trust in you. O Lord, my King, and my God rise up and help us; redeem us because of Your unfailing love. Amen