NOTES for Psa 44

It is as though this psalm arose not in the remote past, but in the middle of the twentieth century, after many centuries of the most brutal persecutions. In the thousands of years since it was first heard, its prophetic resonance has in no way diminished. Centuries pass and circumstances change, but the tragic story continues again and again—and who can claim that the bloody cycle has run its course? Evil has not disappeared from the world.

But the Lord is the same now as He was before, and He is with us in the most difficult circumstances. Of course, it is easy to reason about suffering and trials when they are not directly gripping us by the throat. Nevertheless, in every situation the Lord asks us to remain faithful to Him and to His commandments. It is difficult never to yield to the pressure of circumstances, but the Lord never said that keeping the commandments presupposes comfortable living conditions.

And if we can stand firm in faithfulness—not necessarily in the face of persecution, but at least in the face of everyday temptations—we will be able, with a clear conscience, to call ourselves brothers and sisters of those martyrs who confirmed their faithfulness at the highest price.