Psalms 44:23
Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.
Original Language Analysis
לָ֖מָּה
H4100
לָ֖מָּה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
תִישַׁ֥ן׀
why sleepest
H3462
תִישַׁ֥ן׀
why sleepest
Strong's:
H3462
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, to be slack or languid, i.e., (by implication) sleep (figuratively, to die); also to grow old, stale or inveterate
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
6 of 8
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
Cross References
Psalms 7:6Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.Psalms 78:65Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine.Psalms 35:23Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord.
Historical Context
The command to 'awake' echoes earlier prayers (Psalms 7:6; 35:23) and Elijah's mockery of Baal's prophets whose god might be 'sleeping' (1 Kings 18:27). Israel's God is neither sleeping nor powerless--hence the urgency of the cry.
Questions for Reflection
- Is it appropriate to tell God to 'wake up'? What does such bold prayer reveal about relationship?
- How do we pray when God seems inactive without accusing Him of negligence?
Analysis & Commentary
The bold imperative: 'Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord?' This anthropomorphic language doesn't suggest God actually sleeps but expresses the felt experience of divine inactivity. 'Arise, cast us not off for ever' pleads for intervention. The prayer assumes God can act but apparently chooses not to, creating the theological tension.