Psalms 44:23 Contradictions and Paradoxes

According to the Psalmist, they are asking God to wake up and help them because they feel like God is not paying attention to their troubles. They want God to remember them and not leave them alone forever.

Contradiction with Psalm 121:4

This verse explains that God does not slumber or sleep, suggesting His constant vigilance, which contrasts with the perception of God being unresponsive in Psalms 44:23.

Psalm 121:4: Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

Contradiction with Isaiah 40:28

Discusses God's everlasting presence and understanding, contradicting the notion that God is unaware or indifferent.

Isaiah 40:28: Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, [that] the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? [there is] no searching of his understanding.

Contradiction with Matthew 28:20

Here Jesus assures His continual presence with believers, which contrasts with Psalms 44:23's sense of divine absence.

Matthew 28:20: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

Contradiction with Hebrews 13:5

This promises that God will never leave or forsake His followers, opposing the idea of God turning away.

Hebrews 13:5: [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Contradiction with 1 Peter 3:12

Indicates that the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their prayers, contradicting the sentiment of being forgotten.

1 Peter 3:12: For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil. [against: Gr. upon]

Paradox #1

The potential contradiction in Psalms 44:23 could be the perception of God as unresponsive or inattentive to the suffering of the faithful, which might conflict with the belief in a caring and constantly attentive God. This could lead to questions about why God seems distant or inactive during times of trouble.

Paradox #2

This verse expresses a feeling of being forgotten or abandoned by God despite remaining faithful. The moral conflict could arise from the expectation that faithfulness should be met with protection or support from God. This situation creates tension between the experience of suffering and the belief in a just and caring deity.