Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
The psalmist rehearses God's faithfulness to the fathers, then lodges a sharp complaint: He no longer goes forth with us as He once did. The structure is plain: mercies remembered, present affliction lamented, covenant loyalty maintained despite suffering, and a final prayer that God not forget the dishonor done to His worship.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 44:1-26
Shall not God search this out? Could such idolatry be concealed from him? Would he not with holy indignation have detected unfaithfulness to itself, even had it been hidden in the heart and unrevealed in the life? For he knoweth the secrets of the heart. He is acquainted with the inner workings of the mind, and therefore this could not have escaped him.
We have not forgotten You or cast off worship of You, though we suffer what seems unbearable. We have not harbored hard thoughts against You or turned our hearts from Your way, even when covered with the shadow of death and broken among fierce men. Though You have slain us, we continue to trust.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 44:17-26