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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 44:23 Wake up, O Lord! Why are You sleeping? Arise! Do not reject us forever.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/44-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/19_Psa_044_023.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 44:23 - Redeem Us" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Wake up, O Lord! Why are You sleeping? Arise! 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Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/44.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Wake up, O Lord! Why do you sleep? Get up! Do not reject us forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/44.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/44.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wake up, O Lord! Why are You sleeping? Arise! Do not reject us forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/44.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast <i>us</i> not off for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/44.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Awake! Why do You sleep, O Lord? Arise! Do not cast <i>us</i> off forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/44.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wake Yourself up, why do You sleep, Lord? Awake, do not reject us forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/44.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Arouse Yourself, why do You sleep, O Lord? Awake, do not reject us forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/44.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Arouse Thyself, why dost Thou sleep, O Lord? Awake, do not reject us forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/44.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Arouse Yourself, why do You sleep, O Lord? Awake, do not reject us forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/44.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Awake! Why do You sleep, O Lord? Awaken, do not reject us forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/44.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wake up, LORD! Why are you sleeping? Get up! Don’t reject us forever!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/44.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wake up, LORD! Why are You sleeping? Get up! Don&#8217t reject us forever! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/44.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? Arise, cast us not off for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/44.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Wake up! Do something, Lord! Why are you sleeping? Don't desert us forever. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/44.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/44.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Wake up! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Awake! Do not reject us forever!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/44.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Wake up, Lord! Why are you asleep? Rouse yourself! Don't reject us forever! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/44.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Wake up! Why are you asleep, Lord? Get up! Don't cast us off forever!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/44.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Rouse yourself! Why do you sleep, O Lord? Wake up! Do not reject us forever! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/44.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Wake up. Why do you sleep, Lord? Arise. Do not reject us forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/44.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/44.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Wake up, O Lord! Why are You sleeping? Arise! Do not reject us forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/44.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Wake up! Why do you sleep, Lord? Arise! Don’t reject us forever. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/44.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Stir up—why do You sleep, O Lord? Awake, do not cast us off forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/44.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Stir up -- why dost Thou sleep, O Lord? Awake, cast us not off for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/44.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Awake, why wilt thou sleep, O Jehovah? awake, thou wilt not reject forever.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/44.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Arise, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, and cast us not off to the end. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/44.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 43:23>Rise up. Why do you fall asleep, O Lord? Rise up, and do not reject us in the end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/44.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Awake! Why do you sleep, O Lord? Rise up! Do not reject us forever! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/44.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Rouse yourself! Why do you sleep, O Lord? Awake, do not cast us off forever!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/44.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Awake and sleep not, O LORD; remember us and forsake us not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/44.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Awake and do not sleep, LORD JEHOVAH! Remember us and do not forget us!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/44.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Awake, why sleepest Thou, O Lord? Arouse Thyself, cast not off for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/44.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Awake, wherefore sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, and do not cast <i>us</i> off for ever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/44-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=5283" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/44.htm">Redeem Us</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>Yet for Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5782.htm" title="5782: ‘ū·rāh (V-Qal-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- To rouse oneself, awake. A primitive root; to wake.">Wake up,</a> <a href="/hebrew/136.htm" title="136: ’ă·ḏō·nāy (N-proper-ms) -- Lord. Am emphatic form of 'adown; the Lord.">O Lord!</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/3462.htm" title="3462: ṯî·šan (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To sleep. A primitive root; properly, to be slack or languid, i.e. sleep; also to grow old, stale or inveterate.">are You sleeping?</a> <a href="/hebrew/6974.htm" title="6974: hā·qî·ṣāh (V-Hifil-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- Arise, be awake, watch. A primitive root (compare yaqats); to awake.">Arise!</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2186.htm" title="2186: tiz·naḥ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- Reject, forsake, fail. A primitive root meaning to push aside, i.e. Reject, forsake, fail.">reject us forever.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5331.htm" title="5331: lā·ne·ṣaḥ (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Eminence, enduring, everlastingness, perpetuity. "></a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>Why do You hide Your face and forget our affliction and oppression?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-11.htm">Romans 13:11</a></span><br />And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/4-38.htm">Mark 4:38</a></span><br />But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/8-25.htm">Matthew 8:25</a></span><br />The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-24.htm">Luke 8:24</a></span><br />The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, and they subsided, and all was calm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-8.htm">Romans 11:8</a></span><br />as it is written: “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see, and ears that could not hear, to this very day.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-6.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:6</a></span><br />So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-14.htm">Ephesians 5:14</a></span><br />So it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/51-9.htm">Isaiah 51:9</a></span><br />Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD. Wake up as in days past, as in generations of old. Was it not You who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced through the dragon?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/52-1.htm">Isaiah 52:1</a></span><br />Awake, awake, clothe yourself with strength, O Zion! Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem, holy city! For the uncircumcised and unclean will no longer enter you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/64-12.htm">Isaiah 64:12</a></span><br />After all this, O LORD, will You restrain Yourself? Will You keep silent and afflict us beyond measure?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/1-2.htm">Habakkuk 1:2</a></span><br />How long, O LORD, must I call for help but You do not hear, or cry out to You, “Violence!” but You do not save?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/30-20.htm">Job 30:20</a></span><br />I cry out to You for help, but You do not answer; when I stand up, You merely look at me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-8.htm">Lamentations 3:8</a></span><br />Even when I cry out and plead for help, He shuts out my prayer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/35-23.htm">Psalm 35:23</a></span><br />Awake and rise to my defense, to my cause, my God and my Lord!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/7-6.htm">Psalm 7:6</a></span><br />Arise, O LORD, in Your anger; rise up against the fury of my enemies. Awake, my God, and ordain judgment.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Awake, why sleep you, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.</p><p class="hdg">Awake</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/7-6.htm">Psalm 7:6</a></b></br> Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me <i>to</i> the judgment <i>that</i> thou hast commanded.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/12-5.htm">Psalm 12:5</a></b></br> For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set <i>him</i> in safety <i>from him that</i> puffeth at him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/35-23.htm">Psalm 35:23</a></b></br> Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, <i>even</i> unto my cause, my God and my Lord.</p><p class="hdg">cast</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/40-9.htm">Psalm 40:9</a></b></br> I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/74-1.htm">Psalm 74:1</a></b></br> Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast <i>us</i> off for ever? <i>why</i> doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/88-14.htm">Psalm 88:14</a></b></br> LORD, why castest thou off my soul? <i>why</i> hidest thou thy face from me?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/36-12.htm">Arise</a> <a href="/psalms/7-6.htm">Arouse</a> <a href="/psalms/35-23.htm">Awake</a> <a href="/psalms/44-9.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/psalms/44-8.htm">Forever</a> <a href="/psalms/43-5.htm">Help</a> <a href="/psalms/36-4.htm">Reject</a> <a href="/psalms/35-23.htm">Rouse</a> <a href="/psalms/13-3.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-14.htm">Sleepest</a> <a href="/job/11-19.htm">Sleeping</a> <a href="/psalms/35-23.htm">Stir</a> <a href="/psalms/44-4.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/psalms/35-23.htm">Wake</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/44-26.htm">Arise</a> <a href="/psalms/59-4.htm">Arouse</a> <a href="/psalms/57-8.htm">Awake</a> <a href="/psalms/50-17.htm">Cast</a> <a href="/psalms/45-2.htm">Forever</a> <a href="/psalms/44-26.htm">Help</a> <a href="/psalms/71-9.htm">Reject</a> <a href="/psalms/59-4.htm">Rouse</a> <a href="/psalms/68-13.htm">Sleep</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-22.htm">Sleepest</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-9.htm">Sleeping</a> <a href="/psalms/59-4.htm">Stir</a> <a href="/psalms/45-11.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/psalms/57-8.htm">Wake</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 44</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/44-1.htm">The church, in memory of former favors</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/44-7.htm">complains of her present evils</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/44-17.htm">professing her integrity,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/44-24.htm">she fervently prays for helpfulness</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/44.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/44.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Wake up, O Lord!</b><br>This phrase reflects a deep sense of urgency and desperation. The psalmist is using anthropomorphic language to describe God, who is omniscient and never truly sleeps. This plea is a cry for divine intervention, reminiscent of other biblical instances where God is called upon to act, such as in <a href="/isaiah/51-9.htm">Isaiah 51:9</a>, where the prophet calls on God to "awake" and display His power as in days of old. The use of "wake up" suggests a period of perceived divine inactivity or silence, which is a common theme in the Psalms when the psalmist feels abandoned or in distress.<p><b>Why are You sleeping?</b><br>This rhetorical question emphasizes the psalmist's feeling of abandonment. In the ancient Near Eastern context, sleep was often associated with inactivity or neglect. The psalmist's question is not a literal accusation but a poetic expression of feeling forsaken. It echoes the disciples' plea to Jesus during the storm in <a href="/mark/4-38.htm">Mark 4:38</a>, where they ask, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" This connection highlights the human tendency to question God's presence during trials.<p><b>Arise!</b><br>The call for God to "arise" is a plea for action and deliverance. In biblical literature, God arising often signifies His intervention and the execution of justice, as seen in <a href="/psalms/68.htm">Psalm 68:1</a>, "Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered." This request for God to stand up and act is rooted in the covenant relationship between God and His people, where God is expected to protect and deliver them from their adversaries.<p><b>Do not reject us forever.</b><br>This phrase reflects a fear of permanent abandonment, which is a recurring concern in the Psalms. The psalmist is appealing to God's covenant faithfulness, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/31-6.htm">Deuteronomy 31:6</a>, where God promises never to leave nor forsake His people. The plea is grounded in the understanding that God's rejection is not His final word, and it echoes the hope found in <a href="/lamentations/3-31.htm">Lamentations 3:31-32</a>, which assures that the Lord will not cast off forever and will show compassion according to His steadfast love.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sons_of_korah.htm">The Sons of Korah</a></b><br>The authors of <a href="/bsb/psalms/44.htm">Psalm 44</a>, a group of Levitical singers and musicians who served in the temple. They are known for their deep and expressive psalms that often reflect communal lament and trust in God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation of God's chosen people, often the subject of the psalms, expressing their collective experiences, struggles, and faith.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The central figure in the psalm, addressed directly by the psalmist in a plea for divine intervention and presence.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_context_of_lament.htm">The Context of Lament</a></b><br>This psalm is set in a time of national distress, where the people feel abandoned by God despite their faithfulness.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_temple.htm">The Temple</a></b><br>The place of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence, significant in the context of the psalm as a place where the Sons of Korah would lead worship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_lament.htm">The Reality of Lament</a></b><br>Lament is a valid and biblical expression of faith. It acknowledges the pain and confusion of life while still turning to God for answers and help.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_perceived_absence.htm">God's Perceived Absence</a></b><br>There are times when God seems distant, but Scripture assures us that He is always present and working for our good, even when we cannot see it.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_the_midst_of_trials.htm">Faith in the Midst of Trials</a></b><br>Our faith is tested in times of distress. Trusting God involves believing in His promises and character, even when circumstances suggest otherwise.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_prayer.htm">The Power of Prayer</a></b><br>The psalmist's plea is a reminder of the importance of prayer, especially in times of need. We are encouraged to bring our deepest concerns to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_faithfulness.htm">Hope in God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>Despite the current situation, the psalmist's cry is rooted in the belief that God will not reject His people forever. Our hope is anchored in God's unchanging faithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_44.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 44</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_sleep_paralysis_prevention.htm">What is sleep paralysis and how can it be prevented?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_seven_things_god_hates.htm">What are the seven things God hates?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_would_god_reject_and_defeat_his_people.htm">(Psalm 44:9–10) Why would a supposedly omnipotent and loving God suddenly reject His people and allow them to be defeated in battle? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_god_described_as_sleeping_hiding.htm">(Psalm 44:23-24) If God is omniscient and ever-present, how could He be described as sleeping or hiding His face from His people?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/44.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(</span>23<span class= "ital">)</span> <span class= "bld">Why sleepest.</span>--Comp. <a href="/psalms/7-6.htm" title="Arise, O LORD, in your anger, lift up yourself because of the rage of my enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that you have commanded.">Psalm 7:6</a>, and see refs.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/44.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 23-26.</span> - The appeal to God is now made, after the case has been fully represented. God has always hitherto maintained the cause of his people, and given them victory over their enemies, unless they had fallen away from him (vers. 1-8). Now he has acted otherwise - he has allowed their enemies to triumph (vers. 9-16). And they have given him no reason for his desertion of them (vers. 17-22). Surely, if they call upon him, and plead their cause before him, he will relent, and come to their aid. The appeal, therefore, is made briefly, but in the most moving terms. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord?</span> The psalmist does not really believe that Jehovah "sleeps." The heathen might so imagine of their gods (<a href="/1_kings/18-27.htm">1 Kings 18:27</a>), but not an Israelite. An Israelite would be sure that "he that keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps" (<a href="/psalms/121-4.htm">Psalm 121:4</a>). The writer consciously uses an anthropomorphism, really intending only to call on God to rouse himself from his inaction, and lay it aside, and come to Israel's aid. <span class="cmt_word">Arise</span> (see <a href="/psalms/7-6.htm">Psalm 7:6</a>; <a href="/psalms/9-19.htm">Psalm 9:19</a>; <a href="/psalms/10-12.htm">Psalm 10:12</a>, etc.). <span class="cmt_word">Cast us not off for ever</span> (comp. ver. 9). Under the existing peril, for God to cast off his people will be to cast them off <span class="accented">for ever.</span> They had no strength of their own that could save them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/44-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Wake up,</span><br /><span class="heb">ע֤וּרָה ׀</span> <span class="translit">(‘ū·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5782.htm">Strong's 5782: </a> </span><span class="str2">To rouse oneself, awake</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O Lord!</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲדֹנָ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḏō·nāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_136.htm">Strong's 136: </a> </span><span class="str2">The Lord</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Why</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֖מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(lām·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are You sleeping?</span><br /><span class="heb">תִישַׁ֥ן ׀</span> <span class="translit">(ṯî·šan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3462.htm">Strong's 3462: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be slack, languid, sleep, to grow old, stale, inveterate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Arise!</span><br /><span class="heb">הָ֝קִ֗יצָה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·qî·ṣāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6974.htm">Strong's 6974: </a> </span><span class="str2">Arise, be awake, watch </span><br /><br /><span class="word">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">אַל־</span> <span class="translit">(’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">reject us forever.</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּזְנַ֥ח</span> <span class="translit">(tiz·naḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2186.htm">Strong's 2186: </a> </span><span class="str2">Reject, forsake, fail</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/44-23.htm">Psalm 44:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/44-23.htm">Psalm 44:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/44-23.htm">Psalm 44:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/44-23.htm">Psalm 44:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/44-23.htm">Psalm 44:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/44-23.htm">Psalm 44:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/44-23.htm">Psalm 44:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/44-23.htm">Psalm 44:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/44-23.htm">Psalm 44:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/44-23.htm">Psalm 44:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/44-23.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 44:23 Wake up! (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/44-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 44:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 44:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/44-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 44:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 44:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>