Psalm 44

1. An instructive musical arrangement for the choir.
(Review of past experiences with God)
Supreme God, we have thoughtfully listened as our fathers have celebrated Your special dealings in their lives as well as sharing Your Story from the very beginning of this earth's history. 2.-3. You expelled spoiled, 'good for nothing' communities and gave Your family lands, not because of their might, but You were the One who was strong and it gave You JOY to satisfy them and make them happy. 4. You, God, are in full control. Keep delivering Your family even though they keep tripping and messing up. 5. In Your power and authority we push, as with horns, through narrow, tight places and trample down whatever is in our way.

(personal commitment)
6.-8. I won't be confident in my own prowess or ingenuity to save me, but You have set us free and disappointed those who hated us, so we choose to celebrate in You and worship You from now on.

(Perceived problem)
9.-11. But it looks to us as though You have insultingly rejected us; You don't fight for us anymore so we are defeated. Those who hate us take what they want, leaving us like lost, scattered sheep to be killed to eat. 12.-14. It's like You have sold us, even though You got no benefit. You permitted us to be disgraced and laughed at by those around us who have taunted us and considered themselves better than us. 15.-16. I am confused as those who hate me loudly revile, defame and shame me.

(person perceptions)
17.-19. This is what has happened to us. But haven't we kept our part of your covenant? Haven't we fulfilled Your will for us? Yet it's like we are surrounded as by dragons and possibly staring death itself in the face, so to speak. 20.-22. But, Lord, we did forget who You really are. We were allured into affairs and had 'flings' with other partners (which You know all about for You know everything in our hearts), so we are now being struck - with intent to kill (by our affair partners) - in an attempt to destroy us.

(appeal to God)
23.-25. My true Sovereign, wake up quick! Don't stay so far away! We are distressed to the point of depression. Don't hide from us - we're almost dead! 26. Pay the ransom for our release entirely on the basis of how kind You really are!