For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. A contemplative psalm.

44:1 We have heard with our ears, God;

our fathers have told us,

what work you did in their days,

in the days of old.

44:2 You drove out the nations with your hand,

but you planted them.

You afflicted the peoples,

but you spread them abroad.

44:3 For they didn't get the land in possession by their own sword,

neither did their own arm save them;

but your right hand, and your arm, and the light of your face,

because you were favorable to them.

44:4 You are my King, God.

Command victories for Jacob!

44:5 Through you, will we push down our adversaries.

Through your name, will we tread them under who rise up against us.

44:6 For I will not trust in my bow,

neither shall my sword save me.

44:7 But you have saved us from our adversaries,

and have shamed those who hate us.

44:8 In God we have made our boast all day long,

we will give thanks to your name forever.

Selah.

44:9 But now you rejected us, and brought us to dishonor,

and don't go out with our armies.

44:10 You make us turn back from the adversary.

Those who hate us take spoil for themselves.

44:11 You have made us like sheep for food,

and have scattered us among the nations.

44:12 You sell your people for nothing,

and have gained nothing from their sale.

44:13 You make us a reproach to our neighbors,

a scoffing and a derision to those who are around us.

44:14 You make us a byword among the nations,

a shaking of the head among the peoples.

44:15 All day long my dishonor is before me,

and shame covers my face,

44:16 At the taunt of one who reproaches and verbally abuses,

because of the enemy and the avenger.

44:17 All this has come on us,

yet have we not forgotten you,

Neither have we been false to your covenant.

44:18 Our heart has not turned back,

neither have our steps strayed from your path,

44:19 Though you have crushed us in the haunt of jackals,

and covered us with the shadow of death.

44:20 If we have forgotten the name of our God,

or spread forth our hands to a strange god;

44:21 won't God search this out?

For he knows the secrets of the heart.

44:22 Yes, for your sake we are killed all day long.

We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter.

44:23 Wake up!

Why do you sleep, Lord?

Arise!

Don't reject us forever.

44:24 Why do you hide your face,

and forget our affliction and our oppression?

44:25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust.

Our body cleaves to the earth.

44:26 Rise up to help us.

Redeem us for your loving kindness' sake.