Psa 44:23-26 | Clarke | STEP | Verse 23 A wake, why steepest thou, O Lord? - That is, Why dost thou appear as one asleep, who is regardless of the safety of his friends. This is a freedom of speech which can only be allowed to inspired men; and in their mouths it is always to be figuratively understood.

Psalms 44:23-26

Verse 23

A wake, why steepest thou, O Lord? - That is, Why dost thou appear as one asleep, who is regardless of the safety of his friends. This is a freedom of speech which can only be allowed to inspired men; and in their mouths it is always to be figuratively understood. Verse 24

Wherefore hidest thou thy face - Show us the cause why thou withdrawest from us the testimony of thy approbation. Verse 25

Our soul is bowed down - Our life is drawing near to the grave. If thou delay to help us, we shall become extinct. Verse 26

Arise for our help - Show forth thy power in delivering us from the hands of our enemies.

Redeem us - Ransom us from our thraldom.

For thy mercies' sake - למען חסדך lemaan chasdecha, On account of thy mercy. That we may have that proper view of thy mercy which we should have, and that we may magnify it as we ought to do, redeem us. The Vulgate has, Redime nos, propter nomen tuum, "Redeem us on account of thy name;" which the old Psalter thus paraphrases: "Help us in ryghtwysness, and by us (buy), that es, delyver us, that we be withouten drede; and al this for thi name Jehsu; noght for oure merite."