Psalms 10:13

Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require [it].

Wherefore doth the wicked {H7563} contemn {H5006} God {H430}? he hath said {H559} in his heart {H3820}, Thou wilt not require {H1875} it.

Why does the wicked despise God and say in his heart, "It won't be held against me"?

Why has the wicked man renounced God? He says to himself, โ€œYou will never call me to account.โ€

Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God, And say in his heart, Thou wilt not requireit?

Commentary

Psalms 10:13 (KJV) asks a profound question about the nature of the wicked and their relationship with God: "Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require [it]." This verse captures the essence of spiritual rebellion, revealing the internal conviction that fuels the wicked's actions.

Context

Psalm 10 is a passionate lament, with the psalmist crying out to God to intervene against the arrogant and oppressive wicked. The psalm vividly describes the ruthless behavior of those who prey on the weak and needy. Verse 13 cuts to the core, explaining *why* the wicked act as they do: they believe they are beyond divine accountability. This belief underpins their contempt for God and their lack of fear in committing evil deeds, setting the stage for the psalmist's plea for justice from a God who *does* see and *will* judge.

Key Themes

  • Contempt for Divine Authority: The word "contemn" (Hebrew: na'ats) signifies to scorn, despise, or treat with utter disrespect. The wicked don't just ignore God; they actively reject and disdain His commands and His very existence as a moral authority.
  • Denial of Accountability: The phrase "he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require [it]" is central. It means the wicked are convinced God will not investigate, demand an account, or punish their actions. This internal conviction frees them, in their own minds, to pursue their selfish and cruel desires without fear of consequence. This stands in stark contrast to the biblical truth that everyone will give an account to God.
  • The Deceitfulness of the Heart: The wicked's belief is "in his heart," highlighting that their spiritual blindness and rebellion originate from within, a deep-seated conviction that God is either indifferent or nonexistent in terms of justice. This aligns with warnings about the deceitfulness of the human heart.
  • God's Inescapable Justice: Though the wicked deny it, the psalmist's very lament implies the certainty of God's justice. The question "Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God?" is not an admission of God's impotence but a cry of perplexity and a call for God to manifest His inherent righteousness and judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb for "contemn" is na'ats (ื ึธืึทืฅ), which carries the strong sense of treating something with contempt, spurning, or blaspheming. It suggests an active, deliberate disrespect for God's character and law. The phrase "Thou wilt not require [it]" comes from the Hebrew lo tidrosh (ืœึนื ืชึดื“ึฐืจื•ึนืฉื), literally meaning "You will not seek/inquire/demand." This reinforces the wicked's belief that God will not bother to investigate or call them to account for their deeds, emphasizing their perceived impunity.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for both believers and non-believers. For the wicked, it exposes the dangerous delusion that enables their sin; no one can truly escape God's ultimate judgment, as God will bring every work into judgment. For the righteous who witness injustice, it validates their frustration but also reassures them that God sees all and will act in His perfect timing (Proverbs 15:3). It challenges us to examine our own hearts: do we truly live as if God "requires it," or do we subtly harbor the belief that we can get away with certain actions without divine consequence?

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 10:16

    He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

  • Psalms 74:10

    O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?

  • Genesis 9:5

    And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.

  • Psalms 74:18

    ยถ Remember this, [that] the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and [that] the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.

  • 2 Samuel 12:9

    Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife [to be] thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon.

  • 2 Samuel 12:10

    Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.

  • 2 Chronicles 24:22

    Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon [it], and require [it].
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