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Psalms 44:5

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Through thee will we push down - Through thy Word, במימרא bemeimra, "Thy substantial Word." - Chaldee. If thou be with us, who can be successfully against us? Literally "We will toss them in the air with our horn;" a metaphor taken from an ox or bull tossing the dogs into the air which attack him.

Through thy name - Jehovah; the infinite, the omnipotent, the eternal Being; whose power none is able to resist.

Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Through thee - By thy help. “Will we push down our enemies.” The word here rendered “push down” means literally to strike or push with the horns, spoken of horned animals, Exodus 21:28, Exodus 21:31-32. Then it is applied to a conqueror prostrating nations before him: Deuteronomy 33:17; 1 Kings 22:11.

Through thy name - That is, acting under thine authority and by thy help. If he gave the commandment Psalm 44:4, it would be certain that they would be able to overcome their adversaries.

Will we tread them under - Will we conquer or subdue them. The language is taken from the custom of treading on a prostrate foe. See Psalm 7:5, note; Psalm 18:40, note; compare Job 40:12, note; Isaiah 10:6, note; Isaiah 63:3, note; Daniel 7:23, note.

That rise up against us - Our enemies that have mustered their strength for war. The language would properly denote those who had rebelled against a government; but it seems here to be used in a more general sense, as referring to those who had waged war against them. See Psalm 18:39,

Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary
Former experiences of God's power and goodness are strong supports to faith, and powerful pleas in prayer under present calamities. The many victories Israel obtained, were not by their own strength or merit, but by God's favour and free grace. The less praise this allows us, the more comfort it affords, that we may see all as coming from the favour of God. He fought for Israel, else they had fought in vain. This is applicable to the planting of the Christian church in the world, which was not by any human policy or power. Christ, by his Spirit, went forth conquering and to conquer; and he that planted a church for himself in the world, will support it by the same power and goodness. They trusted and triumphed in and through him. Let him that glories, glory in the Lord. But if they have the comfort of his name, let them give unto him the glory due unto it.
Ellen G. White
Patriarchs and Prophets, 716

And throughout the songs of David the thought was impressed on his people that Jehovah was their strength and deliverer: PP 716.1

The kingdom of Israel had now reached in extent the fulfillment of the promise given to Abraham, and afterward repeated to Moses: “Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.” Genesis 15:18. Israel had become a mighty nation, respected and feared by surrounding peoples. In his own realm David's power had become very great. He commanded, as few sovereigns in any age have been able to command, the affections and allegiance of his people. He had honored God, and God was now honoring him. PP 716.5

But in the midst of prosperity lurked danger. In the time of his greatest outward triumph David was in the greatest peril, and met his most humiliating defeat. PP 716.6

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