Psalm 44 (43):19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For those who prefer to adhere to the interpretation of the seventy translators, the expression "Thou hast diverted our paths from Thy way" can be understood as a removal from Your sanctuary, causing us to dwell in a foreign land, which obstructs our ability to worship.

This is the route to eternal life; the path you prefer, however, leads to destruction. How broad and spacious is the way that leads to ruin, and how many discover it! How narrow and constricted is the path that brings forth life, and how few choose to walk it (Matthew 7:13-14). Who are these few? They are those who endure difficulties, steadfast in their trials; they do not waver amidst adversity, nor do they delight in the Word for just a brief moment, only to wither away in times of hardship. Instead, they possess the depth of love, in accordance with the message we recently heard in the Gospel.

Who is so resilient that they wouldn't falter in times of testing? Only someone who stands with God, ever ready to assist. Even the prophet David experienced turmoil; although in his times of abundance he declared, “I will not be shaken forever” (Psalm 29:7), who can remain steadfast in this place of suffering, this sinful world? The Divine decree offers no exceptions: all humanity must endure the burdens of this life, as it was proclaimed, “Cursed is the ground in all your works” (Gen. 3:17). God declared, “Thorns and thistles it shall produce” (Gen. 3:18). Even Paul, chosen by the Lord, though delivered from the curse of the ancient decree due to the sufferings of Christ, found himself deeply troubled as a prisoner to the sinful law. It was solely through Christ’s assistance that he gained liberation when confronted by the demands of his own flesh and the looming shadow of death.

Chrysostom remarks that while the law propels us forward, iniquity pulls us back; the law directs us toward a straight path, whereas unrighteousness places a person on a desolate, impassable route. Origen notes that our hearts have not turned back like Lot’s wife or like those who looked back upon Egypt. Simmachus interprets this as claiming that which guides us has been removed from Your path, referring to the law itself. This indicates that, by our mindset, You have not let Your ways and commandments stray from the righteous path. Nicetas suggests that the negation in their expressions implies two truths: our hearts have remained steadfast, and You have not led us astray, asserting that as long as our hearts cling to good, God will not deviate from the course of those who seek righteousness, but instead fortifies them.

However, if this negation is understood as specific, the implication shifts to: we have adhered to all things, yet You have diverted our paths away from Your way, meaning that You have distanced us from Your sanctuary. The temple can also be referred to as the way, as it guides worship. According to the Divine Cyril, this can be seen as: You have led us away from the path that is Yours, indicating that by disregarding Christ’s teachings, Israel forfeited the chance for happiness through lawful ministry, as the shadow cast by the law came to an end. None of the prophets proclaimed regarding Jerusalem, “Behold, I will obstruct the way with thorns, and fortify the paths, so that they cannot find their way” (Hosea 2:6). Consequently, the assembly of the Jews completely failed to recognize the path to happiness in God, as they did not acknowledge Christ, who elucidated the way to eternal life. Theodoret also comments that You have surrounded us with many distressing situations that may lead us astray, delivering us into the hands of the wicked, who have treated us harshly and subjected us to life-threatening afflictions, referring to mortal dangers as the shadow of death.

They declare, "These all things have come upon us," acknowledging the numerous trials and tribulations they have faced, yet affirming their continued devotion: they have not forgotten God, nor have they turned to foreign deities. Scripture frequently equates forgetting God with idolatry, as seen in the Psalm: “They have changed His glory into the likeness of a bullock, and have forgotten the God who saves them” (Psalm 105:20). Likewise, the Law states (Deuteronomy 32:17-18): “You have devoured the devil, and not God; you have forsaken the God who gave birth to you, and have forgotten the God who nourishes you.” Furthermore, this Psalm reiterates in verse 21 (Deuteronomy 32:21): “If we forget the name of our God, and if we lift up our hands to a strange God.” Hence, the faithful insist that they have not honored any gods other than the true God, asserting, “We forget Thee not, nor do we violate Thy covenant.” They emphasize that they have neither turned to idols nor strayed from the covenant established with God at Mount Sinai. Their commitment remains unwavering, stating, “Our heart shall not turn back,” signifying their dedication to walking with God in His covenant and clinging to Him wholeheartedly; they have not retreated or abandoned Him. Yet they lament, “Thou hast diverted our paths from the way of Thy mercy,” acknowledging that God has withdrawn His protective hand, leaving them to traverse treacherous paths.

They dedicated their lives to recounting the works of God, imparting such narratives to their children to lead them towards knowledge of God (Chrysostom). Christ, God, will bring destruction upon the wicked, yet fortify those who have faith in Him. You have brought bitterness to humanity, and you have cast me, the Jews, aside for their disbelief. The Mystery of the Holy Trinity is revealed: the Hand symbolizes God the Father; Muscle represents God the Son; Enlightenment signifies God the Holy Spirit. The horns of the Cross of Christ—with the name of Jesus Christ invoking fear in demons. While horned creatures received their horns from nature as instruments of defense, we have been given the name Jesus Christ for prayer (Theodoret). The demons are filled with hatred and ashamed of Christ. The entire duration of human life on earth is marked and accounted for in the eternal realm of the Fatherland of Heaven. God the Father has rejected the Jews due to their lack of faith in Christ. The Jews are dispersed across the earth because of their unbelief; everywhere they go, they are met with scorn, much like the demons. The prophet vividly illustrates the plight of the Jews with sorrowful imagery, foreshadowing their misfortunes. Everything they inflicted upon Christ is being returned to them; they reviled Him, and now they face revilement; they mocked Him, and now they are mocked; they shook their heads at Him, and now others shake their heads at them (Athanasius). Turn away from the Jews, who have deviated from the right path due to their unbelief in Christ. This testimony of the holy martyrs reflects their suffering and sacrifice for Christ. The voice of Adam persists. Sleep represents the forbearance of God. The righteous longed for the arrival of Christ and the salvation offered through His crucifixion and Resurrection.