Psalm 44:20, "If we have forgotten the name of our God, or spread out our hands to a strange god;" expresses a denial of idolatry and a claim of continued faithfulness to the covenant with God. Let's break it down:

"If we have forgotten the name of our God...": "The name of God" in the Bible is much more than just a label. It represents God's character, His power, His presence, and His entire being. To forget the name of God implies a turning away from a true understanding and relationship with Him. It suggests a disregard for His attributes, His commandments, and His promises. It's not merely about forgetting to say His name, but forgetting who He is and what He has done.

"...or spread out our hands to a strange god;": "Spreading out hands" was a common gesture of prayer and worship in ancient times. To "spread out hands to a strange god" is a direct act of idolatry. It signifies offering worship, allegiance, and devotion to a deity other than the one true God of Israel. It implies breaking the covenant by giving honor due only to Yahweh to a false idol or deity.

Context within Psalm 44

Psalm 44 is a lament, a complaint to God in a time of national distress. The psalmists are suffering despite their claim of faithfulness. In verses like verse 20, they are asserting their innocence of idolatry. They are saying, "We are suffering, but it's not because we have abandoned you, God, and turned to other gods." It's a plea for God to remember their faithfulness and deliver them.

In essence, the verse is a powerful statement of unwavering loyalty to God. It's a declaration that despite their suffering, the psalmists have not compromised their faith by forgetting God's true nature or turning to false idols. It is used as a basis for their plea to God to act on their behalf and deliver them.

Therefore, the verse means: "We have not abandoned our relationship with you, nor have we worshiped any other gods. We are innocent of breaking the covenant."