Psalm 44 (43):23Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

15:31), so too do they—not in action or experience, but within their spirits. Why do they say, "for Thy sake"? They could choose to abandon the divine statutes and find safety; yet, they have chosen to endure great suffering and uphold the fatherly traditions rather than seek peace at the expense of divine laws. "They are counted as sheep to be slaughtered," they remark, noting how readily their adversaries seek to eradicate them. This also reflects their submission. Despite being in such peril, they remain unwavering in spirit. Here, one can rightly marvel at the power of God, who safeguards those regarded as sheep for the slaughter, preventing those who face death daily from being entirely consumed.

Thus, he understood that there would indeed be people who act not out of genuine love but out of pride. This reality remains hidden from us; it is known only to God, while we are unable to discern it. Only He can judge what lies within the depths of the heart. "For your sake we are killed all day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter." I have previously noted that the Apostle Paul cited this to encourage martyrs, so they would not lose heart amid the trials they faced for Christ's name.

He perceives all that is veiled, for in the presence of God, every person's conscience is laid bare, and our thoughts may either accuse or justify us. Let us note the additional phrase in Aquila's interpretation: visions of the heart, as God perceives our innermost thoughts: all the contemplations of our hearts are exposed before Him, and the essence of our thoughts is vividly revealed in His sight. Aquila rightly expressed: In You we are brought to death, signifying that death through Christ leads to glory. Those who pass away in Christ earn the crown of holy martyrdom for His name. Should we be astonished by what is stated in this verse? We witness that God examines the secrets of the heart, and in another scripture, He is referred to as the searcher of hearts. Is it surprising that words fail to convey the magnificence of His divine essence? The apostle proclaims, “Judge not any man before the time, until the Lord come, who shall both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and shall reveal the intentions of the heart: and then every one shall be praised of God" (1 Cor. 4:5). We frequently encounter references to spiritual darkness, often understood as sin. Does ‘hidden in darkness’ not equate to ‘concealed in the soul,’ the mysteries of the heart? They are obscured in darkness because they cannot be perceived by others; they remain unseen. Thus, when we assert that on the Day of Judgment the Lord will illuminate the hidden in darkness, it indicates that the heart of each individual will be revealed. Yet until that moment, it was known only to Christ. He understands the significance of His judgment and thus asserts, “There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed" (Matthew 10:26). Many thoughts and feelings we may withhold out of humility, keeping them within ourselves and avoiding discussion. By doing so, we adhere to heavenly guidance, ensuring that we do not appear to boast of our feelings, for voicing them could deprive us of their fruits. Additionally, there are mysteries of wisdom that Paul witnessed when he ascended to heaven. These could not be conveyed to humans, not out of envy for their benefit, but because sharing them might not serve the listener's good: the secrets of wisdom will be unveiled by the Lord in due time. Do not assume there is any inconsistency with these words found in the Gospel, as it asserts, “There is nothing hidden that has not been revealed, and nothing secret that has not been learned" (Matthew 10:26). No, this aligns well with our interpretation, as we may infer that both references pertain to the righteous. For it is written, “The Lord knows those who are His" (2 Tim. 2:19). Thus, He recognizes His own, aware of those who know God. Conversely, He does not acknowledge those who do not know God, for whoever lacks knowledge will not be recognized. God discerns what is good. He understands that which embodies the knowledge of God and comprehends the mysteries of wisdom, yet He rejects that which is marred by injustice and sin. Now let’s examine the individuals in our psalm. They do not forget to revere God, nor do they extend their hands to foreign idols, unwilling to expose their souls to them. Understand that the secrets of their heart do not bear vices but reflect the actions of the pure in spirit. They were brought to death for honoring God and lived in that state continuously, much like Paul, who declared, “I die every day for your glory" (1 Cor. 15:31). Paul indeed faced daily death in the flesh— during hunger, shipwrecks, and various afflictions— yet he did not perish entirely: while the outward man faced decay, the inward man was renewed and remained steadfast despite numerous trials. Even though his outward form waned, his inner self was rejuvenated day by day, for each person's day shines with faith and good deeds. Thus, the Apostle Paul experienced no night: he who is renewed continually exists in light. Can someone filled with the love of Christ dwell in darkness? He is unafraid of sacrifice and does not shy away from hardships. Neither persecution, famine, nor sword can sever the bond of a person united to Christ through divine love.

The Apostle echoes this sentiment, stating that when faced with constant persecution and deathly threats, he fortified himself to steadfastly confront each challenge, thus he truly said he died daily. Martyrs are like sheep destined for sacrifice, first as offerings to God and second, by embracing their martyrdom with humility and silence, not resisting their suffering or attempting to escape, akin to how sheep behave in slaughter. For this reason, Paul echoes these sentiments in his letter to the Romans concerning those who endure for Christ (Romans 8:36).

They devoted their lives to recounting the deeds of God, so much so that parents molded their children’s mouths into vessels of knowledge about God through these stories (Chrysostom). Christ, our God, will confront the wicked but will fortify those who place their faith in Him. You have soured humanity, rejecting me, the Jews, because of disbelief. This reflects the Mystery of the Holy Trinity: the Hand signifies God the Father, Muscle denotes God the Son, and Enlightenment represents God the Holy Spirit. The horns of the Cross of Christ cause demons to tremble at the name of Jesus. Unlike horned animals that receive natural weapons, we have been bestowed the name of Jesus Christ, a title for prayer (Theodoret). Christ is despised by demons, who are shamed by Him. The entirety of a human life on earth is marked by the glory of the eternal Heavenly Fatherland. God the Father has turned away from the Jews due to their lack of faith in Christ. Consequently, the Jews are dispersed across the globe, suffering the consequences of their disbelief, much like demons facing their own disgrace. The prophet vividly illustrates the plight of the Jews in dire terms, expressing the communal misfortunes they’ve faced. All they inflicted upon Christ is repaid to them; they reviled, and they themselves are met with scorn; they mocked, and now they are mocked in return; they shook their heads at Him, and others now shake their heads at them (Athanasius). Distance yourself from the Jews due to their disbelief in Christ. Consider the words of the holy martyrs, who suffer and die for Christ. This is the call of Adam. Slumber embodies the enduring patience of God. The righteous longed for the coming of Christ and for salvation through His cross via the Resurrection.