Psalm 44

A history lesson, an interlude of praise and thanksgiving, and a bitter lament.

"A contemplation of the sons of Korah" per the NKJV study Bible.

Remember......

They'd heard stories all of their lives about the mighty things God had done for their ancestors.
How He'd called Abraham out of Ur to travel to a distant land.  How He'd sustained him and promised him a son, and indeed descendants so great in number that they'd be like the sands of the shore.  They'd been told of Isaac and Jacob.......and then of Joseph.   They knew of Moses and the mighty way God rescued His chosen people from Egypt.  They knew of the conquest of Canaan and how God Himself drove out the inhabitants of the land and established His people there.  They knew........

And they give thanks for it.   They continue to tell the stories and trust in God for help and strength.  They realize that their own might comes to nothing in light of what He can and will do for them.

But remembering the past causes contemplation over the current situation, however.

Why doesn't God act in such a way now?

Now they are easily defeated.   Now there is a crisis of faith.  Now they are scattered instead of planted in a pleasant land.  Now they question God.

It is a bold thing to challenge God the way the psalmist does here.   The innocence of the nation as a whole is defended, and God is asked why He has done this.  He is challenged with statements like, "you have rejected and disgraced us."    "You have broken us."  They say God has hidden His face and forgotten them.
They claim to have not worshiped idols, or forgotten God.  They have not broken covenant.

So He is begged to act!  'awake! You must be sleeping!  Rise up and help because of your steadfast love (covenant).

The RSB doesn't give any hope for placing a time frame on this psalm.  There are many situations and events it could apply to.  The NKJV study Bible seems to put it during the exile, because the prophets before that time clearly spoke by God of the people's sins of idol worship, neglect of God.
As I read, I wonder about denial.  Could it be that they just are denying their sin, claiming that as God's chosen people they will automatically get the blessings He's promised?  Perhaps they are guilty of national self-righteousness?   NKJV study notes wonder if this is a post-exhilic proclamation?

At any rate, they can remember their history as a people, still thank Him and depend upon Him, and can still feel the pain of a national crisis.

What about us?
 I know there are times when I could sit and tell you for hours all that God has done for me.  Story after story of His rescue and provision.  And I praise Him, and know that apart from Him I am nothing  He is my substance.

Then I can, it seems, in a moment, be thrown into a tailspin.  Sometimes the catalyst is obvious, but most of the time it is not.

And I find myself in the same boat as the psalmist here......defending myself and questioning Him.  
Oh His patience!  And love!

I wish there were another section to his psalm......it seems we are left hanging.  Does God hear them and rescue?   But......we are not given this because God didn't deem it necessary for us to know how the situation turned out.  All we really need to know is this:   It is good to recall His mighty deeds.  It is good to depend upon Him in all things.  And it is good to call out to Him in honesty.   I believe He taught them a lesson through all of this.  Perhaps as I said, pride and self-righteousness, denial, etc.  

May I be willing to learn also.