We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us the work You did in their days, in days of long ago. We have heardThe phrase "We have heard" indicates a communal memory and oral tradition among the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "heard" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just hearing but understanding and obeying. This suggests that the knowledge of God's past deeds was not only known but was also meant to be internalized and acted upon. Historically, this reflects the importance of oral tradition in ancient Israelite culture, where accounts of God's faithfulness were passed down through generations, reinforcing their identity and faith. with our ears
The phrase "with our ears" emphasizes the personal and direct reception of these stories. It underscores the importance of firsthand testimony and the role of the senses in experiencing and understanding God's actions. In a historical context, this highlights the communal gatherings where such accounts were recounted, possibly during festivals or religious ceremonies, ensuring that each generation was connected to the divine narrative. O God
The invocation "O God" is a direct address to the deity, indicating a personal relationship and reverence. The Hebrew word for God here is "אֱלֹהִים" (Elohim), a plural form that denotes majesty and power. This reflects the Israelites' understanding of God as the supreme being, worthy of worship and the source of their history and identity. It also sets the tone for the psalm as a prayer or lament directed towards a powerful and personal God. our fathers have told us
This phrase highlights the role of the patriarchs and the responsibility of each generation to pass down the knowledge of God's works. The Hebrew word for "fathers" is "אָבוֹת" (avot), which can refer to ancestors or forefathers. This emphasizes the continuity of faith and the importance of family and community in preserving and transmitting religious beliefs. It also reflects the biblical mandate for parents to teach their children about God's laws and deeds, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:7. the work You did
The phrase "the work You did" refers to the mighty acts of God in history, particularly those that established Israel as a nation. The Hebrew word for "work" is "פֹּעַל" (po'al), which can mean deed or action. This underscores the belief in a God who is actively involved in the world and in the lives of His people. Historically, this would include events such as the Exodus, the conquest of Canaan, and other miraculous interventions that demonstrated God's power and faithfulness. in their days
The phrase "in their days" situates God's actions within a specific historical context, emphasizing that these were real events experienced by real people. It highlights the temporal nature of God's interventions and the idea that God acts within human history. This serves as a reminder to the current generation of the enduring relevance of these past events and God's ongoing involvement in the world. in days of old
The phrase "in days of old" evokes a sense of antiquity and tradition, connecting the present generation with their ancient heritage. It suggests a long-standing relationship between God and His people, rooted in history and tradition. This phrase serves to remind the Israelites of their identity as a people chosen and sustained by God throughout the ages, encouraging them to trust in His continued faithfulness. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Sons of KorahA group of Levitical singers and musicians who are credited with writing several psalms. They are descendants of Korah, who led a rebellion against Moses but whose descendants were spared and later served in the temple. 2. The ChoirmasterThe individual responsible for leading the musical aspects of worship in the temple. This title indicates that the psalm was intended for public worship. 3. Our FathersRefers to the ancestors of the Israelites who experienced God's mighty works firsthand and passed down these accounts through generations. 4. The Days of OldThis phrase refers to the historical events in Israel's past where God intervened powerfully on behalf of His people, such as the Exodus and the conquest of Canaan. Teaching Points The Importance of RemembranceRemembering God's past deeds strengthens our faith and trust in His future provision. The Role of TestimonySharing testimonies of God's faithfulness is crucial for building up the faith of others, especially the next generation. Intergenerational FaithfulnessIt is vital for each generation to pass down the knowledge of God's works to ensure a legacy of faith. The Power of WorshipWorship, through music and song, serves as a powerful tool for remembering and celebrating God's mighty acts. Trust in God's SovereigntyReflecting on God's past interventions reminds us of His sovereignty and encourages us to trust Him in present challenges. Bible Study Questions 1. How can we ensure that the accounts of God's faithfulness are passed down to future generations in our own families and communities? 2. In what ways can personal testimonies of God's work in our lives serve as a powerful tool for evangelism and discipleship? 3. Reflect on a time when remembering God's past faithfulness helped you through a difficult situation. How can this practice be incorporated into your daily life? 4. How does the role of music and worship in your church community help in remembering and celebrating God's deeds? 5. What are some practical steps you can take to deepen your trust in God's sovereignty, especially when facing current challenges? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 12-14The account of the Exodus, where God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, is an example of the "work You did in their days" mentioned in Psalm 44:1. Deuteronomy 6:20-25This passage emphasizes the importance of passing down the accounts of God's faithfulness to future generations, similar to the "fathers have told us" in Psalm 44:1. Judges 2:10Highlights the consequences when a generation arises that does not know the Lord or the works He has done, underscoring the importance of remembering and recounting God's deeds. People Jacob, Korah, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Ago, Chief, Choirmaster, Contemplative, Deeds, Ears, Fathers, Gt, Instruction, Korah, Leader, Lt, Maschil, Maskil, Music, Musician, Music-maker, O, Overseer, Perform, Psalm, Recounted, Sons, Story, Works, WroughtestDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 44: 5420 music Psalm 44:1-3 4945 history
5607 warfare, examples Psalm 44:1-5 8214 confidence, basis of Library Second Sunday after Easter
Text: First Peter 2, 20-25. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. IISermon at the Opening Services of the General Convention, October 2, 1889
"We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work Thou didst their days, in the times of old."--PSALM xliv. I. Brethren: I shall take it for granted that there is a visible Church; that it was founded by Our Lord Jesus Christ, and has His promise that the gates of hell shall never prevail against it. We believe that ours is a pure branch of the apostolic Church; that it has a threefold ministry; that its two sacraments--Baptism and the Supper of the Lord--are of perpetual …
H.B. Whipple—Five Sermons The Story of God's Mighty Acts
Now, my dear friends, this morning I intend to recall to your minds some of the wondrous things which God has done in the olden time. My aim and object will be to excite your minds to seek after the like; that looking back upon what God has done, you may be induced to look forward with the eye of expectation, hoping that he will again stretch forth his potent hand and his holy arm, and repeat those mighty acts he performed in ancient days. First, I shall speak of the marvellous stories which our …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859 Name Date No.
NAME DATE No. A Abelard, Rev. Peter 1079-1142 544 Adams, Mrs. Sarah (Flower) 1805-1848 222 Addison, Joseph 1672-1719 237, 252, 317 Ainger, Arthur Campbell 1841-1919 483 Alexander, Mrs. Cecil Frances (Humphreys) 1823-1895 87, 138, 156, 159, 179, 268, 283, 349, 358, 525, 553 Alford, Dean Henry 1810-1871 270, 344, 421, 531, 541 Allen, Rev. James 1734-1804 157 Anonymous 37, 173, 197, 209, 257, 284, 347, 355, 356, 377, 398 Armstrong, Bishop John 1813-1856 454 Auber, Miss Harriet 1773-1862 199 cNAME DATE …
Various—The Hymnal of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA Letter xv. To Turribius, Bishop of Asturia , Upon the Errors of the Priscillianists.
To Turribius, Bishop of Asturia [137] , upon the errors of the Priscillianists. Leo, bishop, to Turribius, bishop, greeting. I. Introductory. Your laudable zeal for the truth of the catholic Faith, and the painstaking devotion you expend in the exercise of your pastoral office upon the Lord's flock is proved by your letter, brother, which your deacon has handed to us, in which you have taken care to bring to our knowledge the nature of the disease which has burst forth in your district from the …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Mystery
Of the Woman dwelling in the Wilderness. The woman delivered of a child, when the dragon was overcome, from thenceforth dwelt in the wilderness, by which is figured the state of the Church, liberated from Pagan tyranny, to the time of the seventh trumpet, and the second Advent of Christ, by the type, not of a latent, invisible, but, as it were, an intermediate condition, like that of the lsraelitish Church journeying in the wilderness, from its departure from Egypt, to its entrance into the land …
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of Alexander the Great to the Accession of Herod
The political connection of the Grecian world, and, with it, the conflict with Hellenism, may be said to have connected with the victorious progress of Alexander the Great through the then known world (333 b.c.). [6326] It was not only that his destruction of the Persian empire put an end to the easy and peaceful allegiance which Judæa had owned to it for about two centuries, but that the establishment of such a vast Hellenic empire. as was the aim of Alexander, introduced a new element into …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Epistle Lxvii. To Quiricus, Bishop, &C.
To Quiricus, Bishop, &c. Gregory to Quiricus, Bishop, and the other catholic bishops in Hiberia [183] . Since to charity nothing is afar off, let those who are divided in place be joined by letter. The bearer of these presents, coming to the Church of the blessed Peter, Prince of the apostles, asserted that he had received letters for us from your Fraternity, and had lost them, with other things also, in the city of Jerusalem. In them, as he says, you were desirous of enquiring with regard to priests …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Under the Shepherd's Care.
A NEW YEAR'S ADDRESS. "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."--1 Peter ii. 25. "Ye were as sheep going astray." This is evidently addressed to believers. We were like sheep, blindly, willfully following an unwise leader. Not only were we following ourselves, but we in our turn have led others astray. This is true of all of us: "All we like sheep have gone astray;" all equally foolish, "we have turned every one to his own way." Our first …
J. Hudson Taylor—A Ribband of Blue Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple …
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers Triumph Over Death and the Grave
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. T he Christian soldier may with the greatest propriety, be said to war a good warfare (I Timothy 1:18) . He is engaged in a good cause. He fights under the eye of the Captain of his salvation. Though he be weak in himself, and though his enemies are many and mighty, he may do that which in other soldiers …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Calvin -- Enduring Persecution for Christ
John Calvin was born in 1509, at Noyon, France. He has been called the greatest of Protestant commentators and theologians, and the inspirer of the Puritan exodus. He often preached every day for weeks in succession. He possest two of the greatest elements in successful pulpit oratory, self-reliance and authority. It was said of him, as it was afterward said of Webster, that "every word weighed a pound." His style was simple, direct, and convincing. He made men think. His splendid contributions to …
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Volume I Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 44:1 NIVPsalm 44:1 NLTPsalm 44:1 ESVPsalm 44:1 NASBPsalm 44:1 KJV
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