Psalm 44 : die God wat nooit sluimer of slaap nie ... moet wakker word!

Abstract

In Psalm 44, the author accuses Yahweh of sleeping. This is an extremely serious accusation, especially in the light of Psalm 121:4 which explicitly states that Yahweh, in contrast with the gods of the other nations, never sleeps. Why does the author make this accusation? The Psalm begins with Yahweh being praised for showing his goodness in delivering his people and bringing them to the Promised Land. No mention is made of Yahweh sleeping here! It is exactly this contrast between what Yahweh has done in the past and the current situation of his people that results in the accusation against God. The aim of this article is to show that believers today have similar experiences where God acts differently from what is expected of Him and that Psalm 44 should be utilized by the Church to teach its people that, they too, can bring their lament and accusations against God to God, when they feel forsaken by Him.