Psalms 44:3

1 We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.

2 How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.

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.

4 Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.

5 Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
For it was not by their sword that they took the land; their arm did not bring them victory. It was by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, because You favored them.
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.
WEB
For they didn’t get the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them; but your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, because you were favorable to them.
ASV
For they gat 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 wast favorable unto them.
DARBY
For not by their own sword did they take possession of the land, neither did their own arm save them; but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst delight in them.
BLB
For they did not gain possession of the land by their sword, and their arm did not bring salvation to them; but [it was] Your right hand, and Your arm, and the light of Your face, because You delighted in them.
ÅB
For ikke ved sitt sverd inntok de landet, og deres arm hjalp dem ikke, men din høyre hånd og din arm og ditt åsyns lys; for du hadde behag i dem.
OTB
For med sitt eget sverd vant de ikke landet,
Og sin egen arm frelste dem ikke,
Men Din høyre hånd og Din arm og lyset fra Ditt åsyn,
For Du hadde behag i dem.
B1930
For ikke ved sitt sverd inntok de landet, og deres arm hjalp dem ikke, men din høire hånd og din arm og ditt åsyns lys; for du hadde behag i dem.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Deuteronomy 7:7–8

    The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:

    Read in context
  • Deuteronomy 8:17–18

    And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.

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  • Joshua 24:12

    And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.

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  • Zechariah 4:6

    Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

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  • 2 Corinthians 4:7

    But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

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  • Psalms 77:15

    Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.

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  • Deuteronomy 4:37–38

    And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt;

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  • Psalms 20:6

    Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

    Read in context