Psalm 44:7 kjv
But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
Psalm 44:7 nkjv
But You have saved us from our enemies, And have put to shame those who hated us.
Psalm 44:7 niv
but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame.
Psalm 44:7 esv
But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us.
Psalm 44:7 nlt
You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies;
you disgrace those who hate us.
Psalm 44 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 33:16-17 | No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength… | Salvation is of the LORD. |
| Psa 20:7 | Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. | Trust in God, not military might. |
| Hos 1:7 | Yet I will have mercy on the house of Judah, and save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword… | Direct parallel: God's salvation, not human arms. |
| 1 Sam 17:47 | Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s. | The battle belongs to the LORD. |
| Zec 4:6 | 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts. | Divine power over human might. |
| Psa 121:1-2 | I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD… | Help comes from God. |
| Deu 20:1-4 | For the LORD your God is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to save you. | God fights for His people. |
| Isa 31:1 | Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses… | Curses on those who rely on human help. |
| Jer 17:5 | Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength…” | Cursing trusting in man. |
| Prov 21:31 | The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the LORD. | Victory is from God. |
| Judg 7:2 | The LORD said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself…” | Reducing forces to show God's hand. |
| 2 Chr 14:11 | And Asa cried out to the LORD his God… “LORD, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power.” | Relying on God against overwhelming odds. |
| Psa 147:10-11 | He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him… | God's pleasure is not in human might. |
| Psa 3:8 | Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. | Salvation from the LORD. |
| Psa 60:11 | Give us help from trouble, For the help of man is useless. | Vain is the help of man. |
| Psa 118:8-9 | It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. | Better to trust God than man/rulers. |
| Eph 6:10 | Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. | Strength in God's power. |
| 2 Cor 10:4 | For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. | Spiritual warfare, not carnal weapons. |
| Phil 4:13 | I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. | Strength derived from Christ. |
| Heb 11:34 | Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. | Faith, not force, for victory. |
| Rom 8:31 | What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? | God's alliance ensures victory. |
| Isa 59:16 | He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him… | God's arm brings salvation. |
Psalm 44 verses
Psalm 44 7 Meaning
Psalm 44:7 expresses a fundamental theological truth: the people of God do not place their trust in human military might or personal strength for their deliverance or salvation. It declares that victory and rescue do not come from instruments of war like the bow or sword, but rather from the intervention and power of God alone. This verse is a rejection of self-reliance and an affirmation of divine sovereignty in securing safety and success.
Psalm 44 7 Context
Psalm 44 is a corporate lament of the people of God, enduring severe suffering and humiliation despite believing they have remained faithful to their covenant with Him. Verses 1-3 recall God's powerful deliverance of Israel in the past, achieved by His own hand rather than their military strength. Verses 4-8, which include verse 7, serve as an emphatic affirmation of their current unwavering trust in God as their only hope for victory and salvation. This is set against the backdrop of national defeat, exile, and oppression described in the subsequent verses (Psa 44:9-16), a paradox for a people who understand their security comes from God, not their own strength, and yet find themselves in distress. Historically, the psalm may reflect a period of great national crisis or persecution, such as during the Assyrian or Babylonian exiles, or perhaps later under Hellenistic rule (like the Maccabean period), where their covenant loyalty was truly tested and they faced potential martyrdom (Psa 44:22).
Psalm 44 7 Word analysis
- For (כִּי, ki): This conjunction introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding statements (Psa 44:4-6), where the psalmist expresses confidence in God as the one who commands deliverances and triumphs over foes. It implies "indeed" or "because."
- I will not trust (אֶבְטַח, ’ev·ṭaḥ): The verb bāṭaḥ (בָּטַח) signifies to rely, to lean upon, to have confidence or assurance. The imperfect tense indicates a steadfast and continuing commitment; it's a resolute choice not to depend on. It implies active disavowal of reliance on human means.
- in my bow (בְקַשְׁתִּי, ḇə·qaš·tî): Qesheth (קֶשֶׁת) means "bow," the primary ancient long-range weapon, symbolizing tactical advantage and military skill. The possessive "my" emphasizes personal ability or individual military capacity being explicitly renounced as a source of trust.
- neither (וְלֹא, wə·lō): This combines the conjunction "and" with the negative "not," serving to extend and reinforce the previous denial, creating a clear exclusion.
- my sword (חַרְבִּי, ḥar·bî): Ḥereḇ (חֶרֶב) means "sword," the main close-combat weapon, symbolizing direct engagement and personal prowess. Paired with the bow, it represents the full spectrum of human military tools and capabilities. The possessive "my" reiterates the renunciation of self-reliant strength.
- save me (תּוֹשִׁיעֵנִי, tō·wō·šî·‘ê·nî): The verb yāša‘ (יָשַׁע) means to save, deliver, help, or give victory. It speaks of bringing rescue, ensuring survival, and achieving ultimate triumph. The form indicates that neither the bow nor the sword is capable of delivering this complete and ultimate salvation.
Words-group analysis:
- "not in my bow do I trust": This phrase declares a clear renunciation of placing hope or reliance on a powerful, strategic military asset (the bow), emphasizing that a true sense of security doesn’t originate from offensive or defensive weaponry.
- "neither can my sword save me": This complements the previous statement by extending the principle to immediate, close-combat means of protection. Together, "bow" and "sword" represent the entirety of human-made military power. The dual negative construction powerfully emphasizes that ultimate salvation or victory is entirely beyond human capability or military might, whether offensive or defensive. The repeated "my" signifies the personal confession and the rejection of self-dependence in its fullest form.
Psalm 44 7 Bonus section
This verse functions as a foundational theological polemic against the pagan world's prevalent reliance on military might and the strength of their gods of war. Unlike surrounding nations who would attribute victories to their weaponry or a war deity, Israel declared that their deliverer was Yahweh, who required no human tools to grant victory. The powerful statement here echoes the sentiment of Psa 20:7, highlighting the distinctiveness of Israel's faith. Furthermore, in the broader context of Psalm 44, this assertion of divine trust, made even while the community is suffering defeat (Psa 44:9-16), creates a dramatic tension. It emphasizes that their suffering is not due to a failure of faith or a misplaced reliance on themselves, but rather an inexplicable period of divine hiddenness, pushing them to deeper questioning and earnest supplication. It's a testament to unwavering conviction amidst crisis.
Psalm 44 7 Commentary
Psalm 44:7 distills a core biblical principle: true security and ultimate deliverance originate not from human strength, strategic ingenuity, or technological advancement, but solely from God. By explicitly rejecting reliance on "bow" and "sword" – comprehensive symbols of ancient military power – the psalmist underscores a profound spiritual conviction. This is not an abolition of defensive action, but a declaration of the source of salvation. It reminds the faithful that Israel's past victories (Psa 44:1-3) were divinely accomplished, rendering any trust in their own military prowess misplaced and ineffective. Even in moments of apparent defeat and suffering, this verse affirms a commitment to dependence on the divine rather than on finite, carnal instruments. Practically, it encourages believers facing any challenge, great or small, to examine where their ultimate trust lies—in their own abilities, resources, or the strength of others, or in the unfailing power of God. For example, when facing financial distress, the believer is called not to put ultimate faith in shrewd investments or temporary gains, but in God’s provision. When confronted with persecution, one is not to trust primarily in legal defenses or political influence, but in God's protecting hand and His eternal justice.