Psalms 44:16

For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth The word reproachis frequently used of a heathen enemy's scornful defiance or mocking derision of Israel and Israelites, and by consequence of Israel's God, as though He were unable or unwilling to defend His people (Psalms 42:10; Psalms 74:10; Psalms 74:18; Psalms 74:22; Psalms 79:4; Psalms 79:12; 1 Samuel 17:10 ff.); but the two words are found in combination elsewhere only of Sennacherib's blasphemous defiance (Isaiah 37:6; Isaiah 37:23 = 2 Kings 19:6; 2 Kings 19:22).

by reason of Render for the looks of, or, for the presence of, as a better parallelism to for the voice of. Isaiah alludes to the terror inspired by the grim looks of the Assyrian invaders (Psalms 33:19); and for voicecp. Isaiah 37:23; Nahum 2:13.

the enemy and the avenger Cp. Psalms 8:2. The Heb. word for avengersuggests the idea of one who is taking a selfishvengeance, usurping, in his own interests, a function which belongs to God alone (Deuteronomy 32:35).