Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 44:21
Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
21. It would be vain to attempt to conceal any faithlessness from the Searcher of hearts. Cp. Job’s protestations of innocence, ch. Psa 31:4 ff.; and Psa 139:1; Psa 139:23; Jer 17:10.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Shall not God search this out? – That is, If this had been the case, it would be known to God. If, as a nation, we had been given to idolatry, or if our hearts had been secretly alienated from the true God, though there had been no open manifestation of apostasy, yet that could not have been concealed from him. The question here asked implies a solemn declaration on the part of the psalmist that this was not so; or that there was no such national apostasy from God, and no such prevalence of idolatry in the land as to account for what had occurred. The reason for the calamities which had come upon them, therefore, must be found in something else.
For he knoweth the secrets of the heart – What is in the heart: what is concealed from the world. If there were any such alienation from him in the hearts of the people, he would know it. The fact that God knows the heart, or that he understands all the secret thoughts, purposes, and motives of people, is one that is everywhere affirmed in the Scriptures. See 1Ch 28:9; Rom 8:27; compare the notes at Rev 2:23.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 21. Shall not God search this out?] We confidently appeal to the true God, the searcher of hearts, for the truth of this statement.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
We appeal to the heart-searching God, concerning the sincerity of this profession of ours.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Shall not God search this out?…. Undoubtedly he would, was it so, and expose it, and punish for it; as he will the Balaamites and children of Jezebel, Re 2:18; this seems to be an appeal to God for the truth of all that the church had said concerning her steadfastness and integrity under the most trying exercises;
for he knoweth the secrets of the heart; whether the heart is turned back, or there is any inclination to apostatize from God, or his name is forgotten in it; as well as whether in fact the hand has been stretched out, or prayer made to a strange god, Jer 17:9.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
21 Shall not God search this out? We have here a solemn and emphatic protestation, in which the people of God dare to appeal to him as the judge of their integrity and uprightness. From this it appears, that they did not plead their cause openly before men, but communed with themselves as if they had been before the judgment-seat of God; and moreover, as a token of still greater confidence, they add, that nothing is hidden from God. Why is it that hypocrites often call God to witness, if it is not because they imagine that, by concealing their wickedness under some specious disguise, they have escaped the judgment of God? and thus they would represent the character of God to be different from what it is, as if by their deceptions they could dazzle his eyes. Whenever, therefore, we come before God, let us at the same time remember, that there is nothing to be gained by any vain pretense in his presence, inasmuch as he knows the heart.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
21. Shall not God search this The psalmist appeals to the omniscience of God for the confirmation of his words.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
Ver. 21. Shall not God search this out? ] What pretences or excuses soever be used for the colouring and covering of the same.
For he knoweth, &c.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Shall: Psa 139:1-24, Job 31:4, Job 31:14, Job 34:21, Job 34:22, Jer 17:10, Jer 23:24
knoweth: Jos 22:22, Jos 22:23, Ecc 12:14, Rom 2:16, 1Co 4:5, Heb 4:12, Heb 4:13, Rev 2:23
Reciprocal: Gen 18:15 – Nay Deu 27:15 – and putteth 1Sa 2:3 – a God 2Sa 11:8 – go down Job 10:6 – General Job 12:22 – discovereth Job 13:9 – search Job 13:23 – many Job 20:27 – heaven Job 31:5 – walked Job 31:7 – If my Job 42:2 – no Psa 7:9 – for Psa 11:4 – his eyes Psa 33:15 – considereth Psa 69:5 – and my sins Psa 73:11 – is there Psa 94:9 – hear Psa 119:168 – for all my Pro 15:11 – the hearts Pro 24:12 – doth not he that Jer 12:3 – knowest Mat 6:4 – seeth Mat 9:4 – knowing Luk 6:8 – But Act 1:24 – Lord Act 15:8 – which Rom 8:27 – And he 2Co 6:14 – for 2Co 11:11 – God 1Th 2:4 – but God 1Jo 3:20 – and
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
44:21 Shall not God {q} search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
(q) They take God to witness that they were upright toward him.