English Standard Version
Psalms 44:3
3for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them.
Psalms 44:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.
- New International Version (NIV)It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, Nor did their own arm save them; But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, Because You favored them.
- New Living Translation (NLT)They did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory. It was your right hand and strong arm and the blinding light from your face that helped them, for you loved them.
Context of Psalms 44:3
1O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old: 2you with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted; you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free; for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them. 4You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob! 5Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.
Read all of Psalms 44Psalms 44:3 word by word
כִּ֤י לֹ֪א בְחַרְבָּ֡ם יָ֥רְשׁוּ אָ֗רֶץ וּזְרוֹעָם֮ לֹא־הוֹשִׁ֪יעָ֫ה לָּ֥מוֹ כִּֽי־יְמִֽינְךָ֣ וּ֭זְרוֹעֲךָ וְא֥וֹר פָּנֶ֗יךָ כִּ֣י רְצִיתָֽם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- For they gotיָרַשׁyârash yârêsh · to possess: takeH3423
- not the landאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776
- by their own swordחֶ֫רֶבchereb · swordH2719
- neither did their own armזְרוֹעַzerôa‛ zerôa‛ zerô‛âh zerô‛âh · armH2220
- saveיָשַׁעyâsha‛ · to saveH3467
- them: but thy right handיָמִיןyâmîyn · rightH3225
- and the lightאוֹר'ôr · lightH216
- of thy countenanceפָּנֶהpânîym · faceH6440
- because thou hadst a favourרָצָהrâtsâh · to acceptH7521
Cross-references for Psalms 44:3
- Deuteronomy 4:37And because he loved your fathers and chose their offspring after them and brought you out of Egypt with his own presence, by his great power,
- Deuteronomy 8:17Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.'
- Joshua 24:12And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out before you, the two kings of the Amorites; it was not by your sword or by your bow.
- Zechariah 4:6Then he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.
- 2 Corinthians 4:7But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
- Psalms 17:7Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.
- Psalms 20:6Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.
- Psalms 74:11Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand? Take it from the fold of your garment and destroy them!
- Exodus 15:16Terror and dread fall upon them; because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone, till your people, O Lord, pass by, till the people pass by whom you have purchased.
- Isaiah 63:12who caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to make for himself an everlasting name,
- Psalms 42:5Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation
- Psalms 80:16They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down; may they perish at the rebuke of your face!
- Numbers 14:8If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey.
- Deuteronomy 7:7It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples,
- 1 Samuel 12:22For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself.
- Malachi 1:2"I have loved you," says the Lord. But you say, "How have you loved us?" "Is not Esau Jacob's brother?" declares the Lord. "Yet I have loved Jacob
Commentaries on Psalms 44:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3For they got not the land - Neither by their valor, nor cunning, nor for their merit; yet, they were obliged to fight. But how did they conquer? By the right hand of the Lord, and by his arm; by his strength alone, and the light of his countenance - his favor most manifestly shown unto them.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3For they got not the land in possession - The land of Canaan. The design of this verse is to illustrate the sentiment in the previous verse, that they owed their establishment in the promised land wholly to God. The fact that He had interposed in their behalf; that He had shown that he was able to discomfit their enemies, is appealed to as a reason why he should now interpose in a time of national danger and calamity. He who had driven out the nations in…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3Though the Israelites used swords and other weapons (Psalm 44:6), they would have lost their battles without the light of the Lord’s favor (see Psalms 18:25–29; 27:1; 89:15).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-261-3. This period is that of the settlement of Canaan (Jos 24:12; Jud 6:3). have told--or, "related" (compare Ex 10:2).Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 44:3
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 44
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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Commentaries