◄ Psalm 44:20 ►
If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god,
Study Bible
If we had forgotten
The phrase "forgotten" in Hebrew is "שָׁכַח" (shakach), which implies a willful neglect or a lapse in memory. In the context of ancient Israel, forgetting God was not merely an intellectual oversight but a spiritual failure to remember His covenant and commandments. This highlights the importance of intentional remembrance and faithfulness in the believer's life, emphasizing that spiritual amnesia can lead to idolatry and a departure from God's ways.

the name of our God
The "name" in Hebrew, "שֵׁם" (shem), signifies more than just a label; it represents the character, authority, and reputation of God. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a name encapsulated the essence of a being. Thus, forgetting God's name implies disregarding His nature and the relationship He established with His people. For Christians, this serves as a reminder to honor and uphold the sanctity of God's name in all aspects of life, recognizing His sovereignty and holiness.

or spread out our hands
The act of "spreading out our hands" is a gesture of prayer or supplication, often associated with worship. In Hebrew culture, this physical expression was a sign of seeking divine favor or intervention. The imagery here suggests a deliberate act of worship, which, if directed towards a foreign deity, would constitute a grave betrayal of the covenant relationship with Yahweh. This calls believers to examine the focus of their worship and ensure it is directed solely towards the one true God.

to a foreign god
The term "foreign god" refers to deities outside the covenant relationship established by Yahweh with Israel. In the ancient world, polytheism was prevalent, and the temptation to worship other gods was a constant threat to Israel's faithfulness. The Hebrew word for "foreign" is "נָכְרִי" (nokri), indicating something alien or unfamiliar. This serves as a caution against syncretism and the dilution of pure worship. For Christians, it underscores the importance of exclusive devotion to God, avoiding the allure of modern-day idols that can distract from true worship.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Sons of Korah
The authors of Psalm 44, a group of Levitical singers and musicians who played a significant role in temple worship.

2. Israel
The nation to whom this Psalm is addressed, representing the collective experience of God's chosen people.

3. Foreign gods
Refers to the idols and deities worshiped by surrounding nations, which Israel was repeatedly warned against following.

4. The Name of God
Represents the character and authority of Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel.

5. The Temple
The central place of worship for Israel, where the name of God was honored and sacrifices were made.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness to God
The importance of remaining faithful to God and not turning to idols, whether physical or metaphorical.

The Danger of Idolatry
Idolatry can take many forms today, such as materialism, power, or self-worship. We must guard our hearts against these modern "foreign gods."

The Power of God's Name
Remembering and honoring the name of God is crucial. It signifies His presence, power, and promises in our lives.

Self-Examination
Regularly examine your life to ensure that no "foreign gods" have taken precedence over your relationship with God.

Community Accountability
Engage with fellow believers to encourage one another in faithfulness and to hold each other accountable in worshiping God alone.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some modern "foreign gods" that can distract us from our devotion to the true God?

2. How can we practically remember and honor the name of God in our daily lives?

3. In what ways can we ensure that our worship remains solely directed towards God and not towards idols?

4. How does the warning against idolatry in Psalm 44:20 relate to the first commandment given in Exodus 20?

5. What role does community play in helping us stay faithful to God and avoid idolatry?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:3-5
The commandment against idolatry, emphasizing the importance of worshiping God alone.

Deuteronomy 6:13-15
A warning against following other gods, highlighting the jealousy of God for His people.

1 Kings 18:21
Elijah's challenge to Israel to choose between Yahweh and Baal, illustrating the danger of divided allegiance.

Jeremiah 2:11-13
A lament over Israel's exchange of their glory for worthless idols, showing the folly of idolatry.

Matthew 4:10
Jesus' affirmation of worshiping God alone, reinforcing the first commandment.
Sermons
A Prayer for Help Against Foreign EnemiesC. Short Psalm 44:1-26
Aspects of National PietyHomilistPsalm 44:1-26
Early Israel, the Lord's HostJohn Thomas, M. A.Psalm 44:1-26
God's Doings of OldHomilistPsalm 44:1-26
In the Days of OldW. Forsyth Psalm 44:1-26
Lessons from the PastCanon Liddon.Psalm 44:1-26
The Days of OldJ. A. Jacob, M. A.Psalm 44:1-26
The Eternal Providence of GodJ. Parker, D. D.Psalm 44:1-26
The Story of God's Mighty ActsPsalm 44:1-26
People
Jacob, Korah, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Extended, Foreign, Forgotten, Forth, Hands, Minds, Spread, Strange, Stretched
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 44:9-26

     5243   byword
     6115   blame

Psalm 44:20-21

     1020   God, all-knowing
     5812   concealment
     5941   secrecy

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. II

Sermon 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

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