The Meaning of Psalms 44:18 Explained

Psalms 44:18

KJV: Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way;

YLT: We turn not backward our heart, Nor turn aside doth our step from Thy path.

Darby: Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy path;

ASV: Our heart is not turned back, Neither have our steps declined from thy way,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Our heart  is not turned  back,  neither have our steps  declined  from thy way; 

What does Psalms 44:18 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 44:9-26 - A Plea For Present Help
In Psalms 44:11 God's people are compared to sheep appointed for meat, which are sold by the shepherd for naught, so worthless are they. Before their savage foes sheep are defenseless and unresisting. Their bitter lot is aggravated by their fear lest the shepherd has forgotten them. The reference in Psalms 44:19 to jackals suggests the further picture of a harried and panting flock. It is hardly to be wondered at that God's tender mercies seemed withdrawn from his people!
But notice how the Apostle Paul uses these words in Romans 8:36. He does not complain of forsakenness, nor appeal for help. On the contrary, he declares that in all these things we are more than conquerors, and that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. This is the lesson of the New Testament-that we conquer when we are defeated; overcome when we are slain; are strongest when we are beaten to the dust; and ascend to the throne only when we fie in the grave where Jesus, our Master, lay! John 12:24; 2 Corinthians 13:3-4. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 44

1  The church, in memory of former favors
7  complains of her present evils
17  professing her integrity,
24  she fervently prays for helpfulness

What do the individual words in Psalms 44:18 mean?

Not has turned back Our heart nor have departed our steps from Your way
לֹא־ נָס֣וֹג אָח֣וֹר לִבֵּ֑נוּ וַתֵּ֥ט אֲשֻׁרֵ֗ינוּ מִנִּ֥י אָרְחֶֽךָ

נָס֣וֹג  has  turned 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: סוּג  
Sense: to move, go, turn back, move away, backslide.
אָח֣וֹר  back 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אָחֹור  
Sense: the back side, the rear.
לִבֵּ֑נוּ  Our  heart 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common plural
Root: לֵב 
Sense: inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.
וַתֵּ֥ט  nor  have  departed 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: נָטָה 
Sense: to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow.
אֲשֻׁרֵ֗ינוּ  our  steps 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct, first person common plural
Root: אָשֻׁר 
Sense: step, going.
אָרְחֶֽךָ  Your  way 
Parse: Noun, common singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: אֹרַח  
Sense: way, path.