Psalm 44 5

Psalm 44:5 kjv

Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.

Psalm 44:5 nkjv

Through You we will push down our enemies; Through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us.

Psalm 44:5 niv

Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes.

Psalm 44:5 esv

Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.

Psalm 44:5 nlt

Only by your power can we push back our enemies;
only in your name can we trample our foes.

Psalm 44 verses

Psalm 44 5 Meaning

Psalm 44:5 is a declaration of Israel's unwavering faith in God as the sole source of their military might and victory. It proclaims that all success against adversaries comes exclusively "through You" (God) and "through Your name," signifying His power, presence, and covenant faithfulness, rather than human strength or weaponry. The vivid imagery of "push down" and "trample" emphasizes decisive and complete subjugation of their foes, illustrating God's absolute sovereignty in granting triumph.

Psalm 44 5 Context

Psalm 44 is a communal lament in a time of national crisis for Israel. The Psalm begins by recounting God's glorious acts of deliverance in their past history (verses 1-3), asserting that it was not by human strength but by God's right hand and arm that the land was conquered. Verse 5 (and 4) serves as a theological affirmation and confession of faith in the midst of present defeat, contrasting their current dire circumstances with this foundational belief. While the current generation faces humiliation and defeat, they declare the eternal truth that all true victory, especially in battle against their foes, originates solely from God and His mighty name. Historically, this could refer to any period of national distress where the Israelites faced overwhelming odds or recent defeat, reminding themselves of the divine source of their historical successes. The polemic is direct: unlike surrounding nations who relied on military might or idols, Israel declared reliance only on the living God.

Psalm 44 5 Word analysis

• Through You (בְךָ - bekha):

  • Word Level: The preposition b', meaning "in" or "through," combined with the suffix for "You" (masculine singular, referring to God).
  • Significance: Emphasizes divine agency and empowerment. It's not with You, but through Your direct involvement and enablement. All initiative and effectiveness flow from God.
  • Contrast: Directly counters human strength, strategies, or material resources.

• we push down (נְנַגַּח - nenaggakh):

  • Word Level: From the Hebrew verb נגח (nagach), meaning "to gore," "to butt with horns," or "to push forcefully." It's an active, aggressive verb, often used for animals but here metaphorically applied to overwhelming an enemy in battle.
  • Significance: Conveys decisive and aggressive action. The image is of an irresistible force knocking over opposition. It suggests a thorough defeat, not merely repelling an attack but overpowering and toppling the adversary.
  • Connection: This is a direct, violent action of subjugation.

• our foes (צָרֵינוּ - tsareinu):

  • Word Level: From צַר (tsar), meaning "adversary," "troubler," or "enemy." The suffix "-einu" means "our."
  • Significance: Refers to those who oppose, distress, or bring trouble upon Israel. It covers both individual and national adversaries, highlighting the hostile nature of their opposition.
  • Scope: Implies anyone who stands against God's people or His purposes.

• through Your name (בְשִׁמְךָ - beshimkha):

  • Word Level: The preposition b' ("in" or "through") + שֵׁם (shem), "name" + suffix "Your" (referring to God).
  • Significance: "Name" in biblical Hebrew denotes not just a label but the full character, authority, reputation, presence, power, and active being of a person. To act "in Your name" means acting by God's power, under His authority, with His approval, and reflecting His very nature. It's an invocation of His full divine essence.
  • Core Belief: This phrase is central to Israelite faith, asserting that God's powerful being is directly active in their battles.

• we trample (נָבוּס - navus):

  • Word Level: From בּוּס (bus), meaning "to tread down," "to trample underfoot."
  • Significance: Describes total subjugation, humiliation, and destruction of the enemy. It's a victory so complete that the defeated are metaphorically or literally ground into the dust.
  • Imagery: Similar to treading grapes in a winepress, it indicates a decisive, irreversible crushing of the opponent.

• those who rise against us (קָמֵינוּ - qameinu):

  • Word Level: From the verb קוּם (qum), "to rise," "to stand up," particularly in hostility or rebellion. The suffix "-einu" means "our."
  • Significance: Refers to enemies who actively mobilize, rebel, or launch attacks against God's people. It suggests their defiance and aggressive stance.
  • Specificity: These are not passive adversaries but active, insurgent opponents.

Words-Group Analysis

• "Through You... through Your name": This double emphasis on God ("You" and "Your name") is a powerful literary device, known as a parallel synonymous expression, which absolutely magnifies divine causality. It underscores that every aspect of their success stems from God Himself, making His person and His revealed character (His name) the exclusive agents of victory.

• "we push down our foes; through Your name we trample those who rise against us": The parallelism between the two clauses ("push down" vs. "trample"; "our foes" vs. "those who rise against us") intensifies the description of complete conquest. The "pushing down" by God's direct intervention segues into "trampling" by His very identity and authority, illustrating progressive and total victory over any and all who oppose. The choice of two different verbs for "destroying" and two different descriptions for "enemies" serves to paint a holistic picture of decisive triumph.

Psalm 44 5 Bonus Section

• Theological Foundation: This verse echoes and grounds itself in foundational Old Testament covenant theology, particularly the principle seen in texts like Deut 20:4, which asserts that the Lord Himself fights alongside Israel.
• Lament Context Significance: For this verse to appear in a psalm of lament (where they are currently experiencing defeat) is significant. It demonstrates that the Psalmist is clinging to a historical and theological truth, rather than merely stating their current experience. It's a statement of faith, asserting what they know to be true about God even when circumstances seem to contradict it.
• Beyond Physical Warfare: While framed in terms of physical battle, the principles extend to all forms of spiritual and personal struggles. Believers, empowered by God's Spirit and His name (Jesus), can "push down" spiritual adversaries (Eph 6:10-17) and "trample" over evil (Rom 16:20) in the confidence that victory is from Him.
• The Power of The Name: The repeated emphasis on "Your name" highlights that God's character is directly connected to His action. To call on God's name is to invoke His active presence and power into a situation. This theme foreshadows the ultimate power ascribed to the name of Jesus in the New Testament (Phil 2:9-11).

Psalm 44 5 Commentary

Psalm 44:5 functions as a profound theological anchor within a lamenting psalm. It encapsulates the core Israelite belief that ultimate power and salvation reside exclusively with Yahweh, their covenant God. This verse is not a boast of Israel's military prowess, but a declaration of God's overwhelming might working through them. The militaristic language — "push down" (forceful engagement) and "trample" (utter subjugation) — illustrates a divinely-wrought, decisive victory, one that leaves no room for human self-reliance. It underscores that God's 'name' is not a mere label, but the full, active manifestation of His glorious power, character, and covenant faithfulness. Thus, the psalmists affirm their foundational theology of divine sovereignty even amidst present hardship, stating the immutable truth of who their God is and how He fights for His people.