PSALM 44

TITLE.—Vulgate: In finem; Filiis Core ad intellectum. Bible Version: To the Chief Musician for the Sons of Korah, Maschil. Rather: To the Supreme. An instructive of the Sons of Korah.

This is evidently one of the Psalms which owe their origin to the period of the captivity; and the first of such which has come before us.

VEN. BEDE. The sons of Core, as is aforesaid, are the sons of the Cross, martyrs or confessors, who in this Psalm complain to the LORD that the ancient saints most easily triumphed over their enemies, but that their own way to victory lies through the grievous tortures of martyrdom. And it is well added, for understanding; because we need a very deep understanding, if we would comprehend the dispensations of the One and Selfsame Creator, whereby the then rude peoples were, by earthly rewards, stirred up to embrace the faith; who also received the land of Canaan for possession; and whereby also, now that faith hath increased, and the gate of the heavenly kingdom opened to all, the soldiers of CHRIST are to approve themselves in a harder fight, lest we should be willing to loiter along our earthly journey, and should with greater carelessness seek after those celestial rewards.