Psalms 10:11

He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see [it].

He hath said {H559} in his heart {H3820}, God {H410} hath forgotten {H7911}: he hideth {H5641} his face {H6440}; he will never {H5331} see {H7200} it.

He says in his heart, "God forgets, he hides his face, he will never see."

He says to himself, “God has forgotten; He hides His face and never sees.”

He saith in his heart: God hath forgotten; He hideth his face, he will never see it.

Psalm 10:11 reveals the arrogant and self-deceptive mindset of the wicked, who believe their evil deeds go unnoticed and unpunished by God. This verse is part of a lament psalm where the psalmist (likely David) cries out to God, questioning why He seems distant while the wicked prosper and oppress the vulnerable.

Context

Psalm 10 is a passionate plea for divine intervention against the wicked and the oppressor. The psalmist describes the wicked's pride, greed, and violence (verses 2-10), highlighting their complete disregard for God and justice. Verse 11 encapsulates the core of their delusion: they operate under the conviction that God is either indifferent, forgetful, or simply unaware of their actions. This perception fuels their audacious behavior and perpetuates their oppression of the poor and helpless. The psalm is a stark contrast between human evil and the psalmist's unwavering faith in God's ultimate justice, even when it seems delayed.

Key Themes

  • The Delusion of the Wicked: The central theme is the wicked person's profound misunderstanding of God's nature. They falsely assume God's silence or apparent inaction signifies His absence or indifference.
  • God's Perceived Absence: The verse reflects the wicked's belief that God "hideth his face," meaning He is not actively observing or involved in the affairs of humanity, particularly their misdeeds.
  • Divine Justice vs. Human Arrogance: This verse sets up a tension between the wicked's conviction of impunity and the biblical truth of God's omniscience and ultimate judgment. The psalmist later appeals to God to act precisely because of this wicked belief.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "He hath said in his heart" (Hebrew: 'amar b'libbo) signifies a deep-seated conviction, an internal resolution rather than just a spoken word. It reveals the core belief system of the wicked – their thoughts and intentions are rooted in this delusion. The idea that "God hath forgotten" (Hebrew: 'el shakhach) implies a complete lapse in divine memory or attention, while "he will never see [it]" (Hebrew: lo' yir'eh lanetsach) expresses their confidence in perpetual impunity, believing their actions will forever escape divine notice.

Related Scriptures

This verse's portrayal of the wicked's delusion stands in stark contrast to numerous biblical affirmations of God's omniscience and active involvement. While the wicked believe God has forgotten, the psalmist elsewhere affirms that God remembers the cry of the humble. Their belief that God "will never see it" is directly refuted by passages like Psalm 33:13, which states that the LORD looks from heaven and beholds all mankind, and Proverbs 15:3, declaring that the eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Practical Application

For believers, Psalm 10:11 serves as a reminder not to be swayed by the apparent prosperity or impunity of the wicked. It highlights the spiritual battle against the deceptive belief that God is distant or inactive. This verse encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing and His unwavering commitment to justice, even when circumstances suggest otherwise. It's a call to persevere in faith, knowing that God indeed sees, hears, and will ultimately act on behalf of the oppressed, bringing righteous judgment upon those who defy Him.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 8:12

    Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.

  • Psalms 94:7

    Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard [it].

  • Psalms 73:11

    And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

  • Psalms 10:6

    He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for [I shall] never [be] in adversity.

  • Psalms 64:5

    They encourage themselves [in] an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?

  • Ezekiel 9:9

    Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah [is] exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.

  • Ecclesiastes 8:11

    Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

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