Psalm 44 18

Psalm 44:18 kjv

Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;

Psalm 44:18 nkjv

Our heart has not turned back, Nor have our steps departed from Your way;

Psalm 44:18 niv

Our hearts had not turned back; our feet had not strayed from your path.

Psalm 44:18 esv

Our heart has not turned back, nor have our steps departed from your way;

Psalm 44:18 nlt

Our hearts have not deserted you.
We have not strayed from your path.

Psalm 44 verses

Psalm 44 18 Meaning

Psalm 44:18 declares the Psalmist's unwavering faithfulness to God and His covenant, despite enduring immense national suffering and apparent divine abandonment. It states that although severe afflictions have befallen the community, they have neither forgotten God nor dealt falsely with His foundational agreement with them. This verse is a profound assertion of loyalty amidst tribulation, forming a critical part of the psalm's unique lament.

Psalm 44 18 Context

Psalm 44 is a communal lament where the nation of Israel addresses God during a period of deep distress and national humiliation. The psalm begins by recalling God's mighty acts in the past, when He delivered their ancestors without their own strength (vv. 1-8). This remembrance highlights a stark contrast with their current dire situation (vv. 9-16), where they suffer defeat, scattering, and reproach, seemingly abandoned by God. What makes Psalm 44 particularly striking is its claim of innocence: unlike most laments that attribute suffering to national sin and covenant breach, this psalm denies any forgetfulness of God or falsehood to His covenant (vv. 17-22). Verse 18 is central to this claim, forming the thesis that despite everything, their allegiance remains intact. This assertion sets up the poignant plea in the concluding verses for God to awaken and intervene, not because they deserve it based on their deeds, but based on His covenant fidelity to them as a faithful people.

Psalm 44 18 Word analysis

• All this has come upon us:

  • This phrase refers collectively to the severe hardships described in the preceding verses (Ps 44:9-16). It includes defeat in battle, being put to shame, being scattered among the nations, sold for nothing, and made a taunt and a byword.
  • It emphasizes the totality and pervasive nature of the suffering experienced by the community, not just an isolated incident but a sustained state of national humiliation.

• but we have not forgotten you:

  • "but" (אַךְ - 'akh): This is a strong adversative, introducing a powerful contrast. Despite the severe "all this," there's an enduring loyalty. It signals a paradoxical situation.
  • "not forgotten" (לֹא־שָׁכַחְנוּךָ - lo'-shakakhnuha): The Hebrew verb shakhach means more than mere mental lapse; it implies neglecting, disregarding, or abandoning. To "not forget" God, in biblical context, means actively remembering His commands, His character, and His covenant, and living in faithful obedience and acknowledgment of His lordship. The Psalmist is claiming active remembrance and allegiance to God even in their profound suffering, rejecting any form of apostasy.

• or been false to your covenant:

  • "or been false" (וְלֹא שִׁקַּרְנוּ בִבְרִיתֶךָ - v'lo shikarnu bivrītekhā): The verb shaqar (שָׁקַר) means to lie, deceive, deal falsely, or betray. When linked with "covenant" (berit, בְּרִית), it denotes a breach of the binding agreement between God and His people. This assertion is critical because covenant breach was often the stated cause for national disaster in Israel's history (e.g., in Deuteronomy and Judges). The Psalmist firmly denies such a betrayal, asserting their moral and spiritual integrity concerning their relationship with God, suggesting their suffering is not a punitive consequence of unfaithfulness.
  • "your covenant" (בְּרִיתֶךָ - beritekhā): This refers to the sacred agreement God established with Israel, defining their identity, responsibilities, and promised blessings and curses. It’s the foundational bond that shapes their relationship with Yahweh.

• "but we have not forgotten you, or been false to your covenant":

  • This combined statement forms a potent and unique defense. It implies that their suffering is not due to their sin, forgetfulness, or breaking of the divine law and agreement. They assert that their actions align with covenant requirements, presenting themselves as righteous sufferers. This challenges the conventional understanding of the cause-and-effect relationship between obedience and blessing/cursing, pushing the question back to God's seeming inaction. It signifies their steadfastness and highlights their profound spiritual distress over why a faithful God would allow such hardship to befall His faithful people.

Psalm 44 18 Bonus section

The assertion of faithfulness in Psalm 44:18 provides a powerful counter-narrative to many other laments in the Psalter (e.g., Psalm 51, Psalm 32) and prophetic literature where suffering is explicitly linked to sin and disobedience. This psalm’s bold claim introduces the profound theological challenge of "innocent suffering" within the covenant framework. It raises questions not just about the community’s integrity but also about God’s immediate role and perceived inaction, challenging Him to justify His apparent withdrawal from a loyal people. It transforms the lament from an appeal for mercy after confession of sin, to a fervent cry for vindication and restoration because of faithfulness. This deep conviction in their loyalty fuels the intense and almost reproachful questions directed at God in the psalm's final verses, as they wrestle with the mystery of suffering and divine providence.

Psalm 44 18 Commentary

Psalm 44:18 serves as the poignant and controversial heart of this national lament. After vividly portraying the depth of their affliction and humiliation, the Psalmist offers a radical denial of the usual culprits: their own forgetfulness of God or their active betrayal of His covenant. This declaration, "All this has come upon us, but we have not forgotten you, or been false to your covenant," presents a community that believes it is suffering despite its fidelity, rather than because of its sin. It's not a boast of perfect sinlessness, but a deep conviction of national faithfulness to their fundamental allegiance to Yahweh as God, living according to the covenant demands. This unique stance elevates the theological dilemma of the Psalm: If God's people are faithful, why do they suffer so profoundly and why does God seem so absent? The verse captures the tension between lived experience and covenant theology, asserting their integrity and preparing for the plea that God would act based on His character and covenant faithfulness to them. This scenario resonates deeply with believers who experience unmerited suffering, prompting questions of divine justice and presence in their darkest hours, urging steadfastness even when God's favor feels hidden.