What does Psalm 44:15 mean?

The psalmist felt completely embarrassed by what had happened to Israel. No exact event is mentioned, but it seems to be a military defeat (Psalm 44:9–14). Scholars think this might be tied to an incident with Edom while Israel's army was engaged elsewhere (Psalm 60; Amos 1:6; 2 Samuel 8:13). Whatever had happened, the writer finds personal shame in the loss. Israel's defeat at the hands of her enemies demoralized him. At this point, he cannot see a reason for this hardship (Psalm 44:17).

Of course, in the moment, defeat and discouragement are painful. They tempt us to look only at the current crisis, and not the greater context of God's will. Christians should strive to be far-sighted. Their faith should enable them to look beyond disappointing circumstances and see that "all things," even disappointing circumstances, "work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28; cf. Romans 5:3–5; James 1:2–4; 1 Peter 1:3–9:). The apostle Paul suffered for the gospel, but said, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16). Every believer should abide in Christ (1 John 2:28).