If we have forgotten the name of our God, and if we have spread forth our hands to a strange god:
אִם־שָׁ֭כַחְנוּ שֵׁ֣ם אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ וַנִּפְרֹ֥שׂ כַּ֝פֵּ֗ינוּ לְאֵ֣ל זָֽר׃
8 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Grateful servants exhibit a steadfast commitment to their master, even during intense trials; such is the essence of wisdom. They instruct their listeners to avoid hypocrisy and to dedicate themselves fully to serving the Lord. ‘He knows the secrets of the heart.’ This reminder serves to instill reverence in their audience, warning against harboring any thoughts that fall short of God’s glory.
He understands, yet He seeks to examine our hearts. If He knows the hidden thoughts within us, why does it say, “Does not God search them out?” He possesses this knowledge intrinsically; He seeks to reveal it to us. This is why at times God chooses to probe into matters; for He speaks of that which is recognized by Him as it becomes apparent to you. He references His own acts rather than simply His omniscience. As we often say, “It is a good day when all is well.” However, does the day itself feel joy? No, we attribute joy to the day because it brings us happiness. Consider a gloomy sky—not that the clouds have emotions themselves, but because their appearance evokes feelings of sadness in us, we label the day as such. Similarly, it is said that God knows when He allows us to understand.
He tells Abraham, “Now I know that you fear God.” (Gen. 22:12) Did He not possess this knowledge beforehand? Yet, it was through that very trial that Abraham came to know his own heart. God also understands what He has made known to us. Did Peter recognize his own nature when he declared to the Lord, “I will be with Thee even unto death?” (Luke 22:33) The Lord discerned the turmoil within Peter’s soul, even if Peter was unaware of it. When the moment of testing arrived, the Lord validated His assessment; Peter then relinquished his overconfidence. Thus God acknowledges our state immediately and examines it—He already knows it. But why does He choose to explore? It is for your benefit: so that you may understand yourselves and offer gratitude to the Creator. Is it not God who is seeking to uncover this truth?
If we neglect to remember the name of our Lord, they claim this as though they have ceased to worship idols following their ultimate downfall, or as if invoking the names of the prophets.
Let us continue our exploration of the psalm: If we forsake the name of our God and reach out to foreign deities, will not God take note of this? (Aquila interprets it as: Will He track it down?; Symmachus: Will He discover it?) Furthermore, for He understands the secrets held within the heart. Because of You, we are slain all day long; we are considered as sheep destined for slaughter (Psalm 43:21-23). Why does it mention ‘God will find’? As if He would remain unaware unless He actively seeks; and upon discovering this forgetfulness embedded in our hearts, He will erase all traces of it. Thus, Aquila translates it as will track it out. It is clear that if God knows the innermost thoughts of the heart, why should He need to search?
He perceives all that remains concealed, for in the presence of God, every person's conscience is laid bare, and our thoughts either condemn or justify us. Let us reflect on Aquila's other phrases: visions of the heart, for God sees the heart; every thought we harbor is laid open before Him, and the likeness of our thoughts is vividly seen by God. Aquila also translated: In You, we experience death, for death in Christ brings glory. Those who face death in Christ are those who have attained the crown of holy martyrdom in His name. But should we be astonished at what is presented in this verse? We witness that God investigates the hidden depths of the heart. In another scripture, He is referred to as the one who searches the heart. And is it surprising to any that our words fall short of encapsulating the greatness of His divine essence? The apostle states, ‘Judge no one before the appointed time, until the Lord comes, who will disclose the hidden matters of darkness, and unveil the thoughts of the heart: and then everyone shall receive commendation from God (1 Cor. 4:5). We often find references to mental darkness, which is almost always understood as sin. Does not ‘hidden in darkness’ not signify hiding within the soul, referring to the secrets of the heart? These secrets remain wrapped in darkness because they escape the notice of others; they are invisible. When we affirm that on the Day of Judgment the Lord will shed light on what is concealed in darkness, we mean that the heart of each individual will be revealed. Before then, it is known only to Christ. He recognizes the significance of His judgment and thus declares, ‘There is nothing concealed that will not be manifested (Matthew 10:26). Numerous thoughts and emotions we keep hidden out of humility, holding them within ourselves without expressing them. In doing so, we adhere to heavenly guidance; we should not appear as if glorifying these feelings, for by voicing them we may forfeit their rewards. But there exist also divine mysteries of wisdom, which Paul encountered when he was taken up to heaven. These could not be relayed to humankind, so he retained them privately - not out of envy for their potential benefit to others, but because it would not assist another to hear that which was not meant for them: the mysteries of wisdom will be illuminated by the Lord in due time. Do not assume that there is any contradiction in the Gospel regarding these words. It states: There is nothing hidden that has not been revealed, and nothing secret that has not been known (Matthew 10:26). Indeed, this passage aligns well with our interpretation, as both refer to the righteous. For it is written, The Lord knows those who are His (2 Tim. 2:19). He is aware of His own and knows those who have come to know God. Conversely, He does not recognize those who do not know Him, as those who are ignorant will not be acknowledged. God is acquainted with that which is good. He comprehends the fullness of the knowledge of God and understands the mysteries of wisdom, yet He disregards all that is fraught with sin and injustice. Now let us turn our gaze to those depicted in our psalm. They do not forget to revere God, nor do they reach out to foreign deities, being unwilling to unveil their souls to them. Understand that the secrets of their hearts harbor no vices, but rather reflect the actions of those pure in spirit. They have been put to death for honoring God, living in a state of death all day long, much like Paul who asserts, I die daily for your glory (1 Cor. 15:31). And indeed, Paul did experience daily dying in the flesh - through hunger, shipwrecks, and various calamities - yet he was not wholly lost: while his outward self faced decay, his inner being was renewed and remained steadfast, despite the multitude of adversities he faced. Even as his outer man aged, his inner man was being renewed day by day, for each man’s day is illuminated by his faith and good works. Consequently, the Apostle Paul knew no darkness: he who is renewed dwells perpetually in the light. Can someone filled with the love of Christ within be devoid of light? He does not tremble at the prospect of sacrifice, nor shun challenges. Neither tribulation, hunger, nor the sword can sever the bond between a person united with the Lord in divine love.
The Maccabees, along with Mattathias, the seven young men, their mother, and the priest Eleazar, exemplified this virtue. They were not swayed by flattering words, nor did the sight of executions shake their resolve; they preserved the honor of the one true God and detested idol worship as a detestable act. You know all these things, O Lord, as the Prophet declares, for not only are deeds evident to You, but also the inclinations of the heart. It is important to note that this statement refers to two individuals. When it is said, ‘Will not God take note of these? He knows the secrets of the heart,’ the Prophet adds, ‘For Your sake, we are killed all day long.’ This shift in pronoun is also present in the Hebrew text and has been maintained by various translators.
He suggests that if we forget the name of God, or the God who has called us so often, and if we lift our hands in supplication to a false and unfamiliar deity, then will God not hold us accountable and condemn us for such wickedness? Certainly, He will judge us for these actions, as He knows what lies within the depths of our hearts and is witness to all that we contemplate. Theodoret highlights that his statement reveals two types of individuals; for when he remarked that God will not absolve us for such matters, he acknowledged that we are killed every day for your sake. This shift in pronouns is evident in the Hebrew text and affirmed by all other interpreters.
This courage was exemplified by the Maccabees, the followers of Mattathias, and by the seven young men alongside their mother and the priest Eleazar; they did not yield to flattery or threats, but maintained their unwavering reverence for God. And this, asserts the Lord, You know; for You understand not only the ancestors, but also the very inclinations of the heart.
The individuals who speak in this psalm affirm, through the authority of God, that they have not forgotten the Lord, as they declare: If we were to forget the name of our God and extend our hands to a foreign deity, would not God take account of this? It is as if we affirm that truly He will take note and will discover the truth of our claims. This reveals the hidden truth of our hearts: He will indeed find that we have remained faithful to Him. It serves as a significant and potent declaration to call upon God as a witness to our righteousness. This illustrates that the faithful did not seek to justify themselves before others, but rather appealed to God’s judgment, trusting in His deliverance.
Regarding the title, Korey signifies Golgotha, also known as the place of the Throne. The sons of Korey refer to the sons of patience, who master their flesh through passions and desires, becoming the sons of Christ (Galatians 5:24). The reasoning behind this is that everyone might comprehend the depth of Christ's suffering for humanity (1 Pet. 2:21), for all have left an image to follow in His steps, and those who endure suffering with Him will also share in His glory (2 Tim. 2:12; Rom. 8:30) (Ambrosius, Jerome). Pay attention, you who neglect your children, allowing them to sing worldly songs and disregarding divine narratives. Such indifference was not characteristic of the ancients.
They dedicated their lives to recounting the deeds of God, with parents shaping the mouths of their children like books, guiding them toward an understanding of God (Chrysostom). Christ, our God, will VANQUISH the wicked while strengthening those who place their faith in Him. You have caused distress among men and have cast out the Jewish people for their disbelief. The Mystery of the Holy Trinity unfolds. The Hand represents God the Father, Muscle signifies God the Son, and Enlightenment is attributed to God the Holy Spirit. The horns of Christ's Cross hold the name of Jesus Christ, which strikes fear in demons. Like horned creatures who bear their horns by nature instead of weapons, we have been granted the name of Jesus Christ for our prayers (Theodoret). The demons, who hate Him, are brought to shame by Christ. The entirety of human existence on Earth and the eternal life in the Heavenly Fatherland is illuminated throughout the day. God the Father has distanced Himself from the Jewish people due to their lack of faith in Christ, dispersing them across the globe for their disbelief. They find themselves in turmoil everywhere, akin to demons because of their rejection. The prophet illustrates the plight of the Jews with sorrowful imagery, prophesying and internalizing the misfortunes of the populace. All they inflicted upon Christ has come back upon them. They insulted, and now they themselves face insults; they mocked, and they are subjected to mockery; they shook their heads at Him, and others do likewise to them (Athanasius). Depart from the path of the Jews due to their disbelief in Christ. This reflects the word of the holy martyrs, who suffered and gave their lives for Christ. This echoes the voice of Adam, as sleep represents God’s enduring patience. The righteous awaited the arrival of Christ and salvation through His Resurrection on the Cross.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS