Psalm 44:21
New International Version
would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart?

New Living Translation
God would surely have known it, for he knows the secrets of every heart.

English Standard Version
would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart.

Berean Standard Bible
would not God have discovered, since He knows the secrets of the heart?

King James Bible
Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

New King James Version
Would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.

New American Standard Bible
Would God not find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.

NASB 1995
Would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.

NASB 1977
Would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.

Legacy Standard Bible
Would not God find this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.

Amplified Bible
Would not God discover this? For He knows the secrets of the heart.

Christian Standard Bible
wouldn’t God have found this out, since he knows the secrets of the heart?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
wouldn’t God have found this out, since He knows the secrets of the heart?

American Standard Version
Will not God search this out? For he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Contemporary English Version
You would have known it because you discover every secret thought.

English Revised Version
Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
wouldn't God find out, since he knows the secrets in our hearts?

Good News Translation
you would surely have discovered it, because you know our secret thoughts.

International Standard Version
wouldn't God find out since he knows the secrets of the heart?

Majority Standard Bible
would not God have discovered, since He knows the secrets of the heart?

NET Bible
would not God discover it, for he knows one's thoughts?

New Heart English Bible
won't God search this out? For he knows the secrets of the heart.

Webster's Bible Translation
Will not God search out this? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

World English Bible
won’t God search this out? For he knows the secrets of the heart.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Does God not search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.

Young's Literal Translation
Doth not God search out this? For He knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Smith's Literal Translation
Will not God search this out? for he knew the secrets of the heart.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Shall not God search out these things : for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. Because for thy sake we are killed all the day long : we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If we have forgotten the name of our God, and if we have extended our hands to a foreign god,

New American Bible
Would not God have discovered this, God who knows the secrets of the heart?

New Revised Standard Version
would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
God will look into this thing, for he knows the secrets of the heart.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
God searches into this, for he knows the purposes of the heart.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Would not God search this out? For He knoweth the secrets of the heart.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
for he knows the secrets of the heart.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Redeem Us
20If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, 21would not God have discovered, since He knows the secrets of the heart? 22Yet for Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 17:10
I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12-13
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. / Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

1 Chronicles 28:9
As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

Proverbs 15:11
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!

Romans 8:27
And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

Acts 1:24
And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen

Revelation 2:23
Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

Psalm 139:1-4
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me. / You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. / You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways. ...

Job 34:21-22
For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step. / There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.

Proverbs 21:2
All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

Jeremiah 20:12
O LORD of Hosts, who examines the righteous, who sees the heart and mind, let me see Your vengeance upon them, for to You I have committed my cause.

Luke 16:15
So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.

John 2:24-25
But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew them all. / He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man.


Treasury of Scripture

Shall not God search this out? for he knows the secrets of the heart.

Shall

Psalm 139:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Job 31:4,14
Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps? …

Job 34:21,22
For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings…

knoweth

Joshua 22:22,23
The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the LORD, (save us not this day,) …

Ecclesiastes 12:14
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Romans 2:16
In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

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Psalm 44
1. The church, in memory of former favors
7. complains of her present evils
17. professing her integrity,
24. she fervently prays for helpfulness














would not God have discovered
This phrase emphasizes God's omniscience, a central theme throughout Scripture. The rhetorical question implies that nothing is hidden from God, aligning with passages like Hebrews 4:13, which states that everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. The context of Psalm 44 is a communal lament where the people of Israel are questioning why they suffer despite their faithfulness. This phrase reassures them that God is aware of their true condition and intentions, even if their circumstances seem unjust.

since He knows the secrets of the heart?
This part of the verse highlights God's intimate knowledge of human thoughts and intentions, echoing Jeremiah 17:10, where God declares that He searches the heart and examines the mind. In biblical culture, the heart is often seen as the center of will and emotion, not just a physical organ. This understanding is crucial in the context of the psalm, as the Israelites appeal to God’s perfect knowledge to vindicate their integrity. The phrase also foreshadows the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ, who, as God incarnate, demonstrated this divine attribute by knowing the thoughts of those around Him, as seen in passages like John 2:24-25.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
The omniscient and omnipresent Creator who knows all things, including the hidden thoughts and intentions of the heart.

2. The Psalmist
Traditionally attributed to the sons of Korah, the psalmist is expressing a communal lament and seeking understanding from God.

3. Israel
The nation of Israel is the context in which this psalm is set, reflecting on their relationship with God and their current struggles.

4. The Heart
Symbolic of the inner life and true intentions of a person, which God fully knows and understands.

5. Secrets
Refers to the hidden thoughts, motives, and desires that are not visible to others but are fully known to God.
Teaching Points
God's Omniscience
God knows everything about us, including our innermost thoughts and desires. This should lead us to live transparently before Him, knowing that nothing is hidden from His sight.

Integrity of Heart
Since God knows the secrets of our hearts, we should strive for integrity and purity in our thoughts and actions, aligning them with His will.

Trust in God's Justice
When we face injustice or misunderstanding, we can trust that God knows the truth of our hearts and will ultimately bring justice.

Self-Examination
Regularly examine your heart and motives in light of God's Word, asking Him to reveal any hidden sins or areas needing growth.

Prayer for Purity
Pray for God to purify your heart and align your desires with His, seeking His guidance in all areas of life.Verse 21. - Shall not God search this out! i.e. visit for it - punish it. Such a result was to be expected. But when there had been no precedent idolatry, no neglect of the worship of Jehovah, what then? For he knoweth the secrets of the heart. Secret idolatry would, of course, explain the state of things; but the writer evidently knows of no secret idolatry.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
would not
הֲלֹ֣א (hă·lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

God
אֱ֭לֹהִים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

have discovered,
זֹ֑את (zōṯ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

since
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

He
ה֥וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

knows
יֹ֝דֵ֗עַ (yō·ḏê·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

the secrets
תַּעֲלֻמ֥וֹת (ta·‘ă·lu·mō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 8587: A hidden thing, secret

of the heart?
לֵֽב׃ (lêḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre


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OT Poetry: Psalm 44:21 Won't God search this out? For he (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 44:20
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