Psalms 73:11

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

And they say {H559}{H8804)}, How doth God {H410} know {H3045}{H8804)}? and is there {H3426} knowledge {H1844} in the most High {H5945}?

Then they ask, "How does God know? Does the Most High really have knowledge?"

The wicked say, β€œHow can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”

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

Commentary

Psalm 73:11 captures the arrogant skepticism of the wicked, as observed by the psalmist Asaph. In their apparent prosperity and disregard for God's laws, they question whether God truly sees, knows, or cares about their actions. This verse highlights a common human tendency to doubt divine omniscience when immediate consequences for unrighteousness are not evident, setting up the profound spiritual struggle and ultimate resolution found later in the psalm.

Context

The psalmist Asaph begins Psalm 73 grappling with the perplexing prosperity of the wicked, who seem to live lives of ease and abundance despite their defiance of God. This observation causes a crisis of faith for Asaph, making him question the value of his own righteousness. Verse 11 articulates the very attitude of these ungodly individuals – their presumptuous belief that their actions go unnoticed by a distant or uncaring deity. This forms a stark contrast to the truth of God's active involvement in the world, which Asaph later comes to understand.

Key Themes

  • Skepticism of God's Omniscience: The central question posed by the wicked, "How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?", directly challenges the absolute knowledge and awareness of God. They imply that God is either ignorant of their deeds or indifferent to them, a dangerous delusion.
  • Arrogance and Presumption: This questioning stems from a deep-seated pride and a sense of impunity. The wicked believe they can operate outside of divine accountability, a mindset often fueled by their temporary success.
  • Divine Justice and Accountability: While the verse expresses the wicked's denial, it implicitly sets up the theme of God's ultimate justice. Asaph's journey in the psalm leads him to understand that God indeed knows all and will bring all deeds into judgment, a truth articulated in verses like Proverbs 15:3: "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good."

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "know" in "How doth God know?" is yada' (Χ™ΦΈΧ“Φ·Χ’), which signifies not just intellectual knowledge but also experiential knowledge, recognition, and active perception. The wicked are essentially asking, "Does God truly perceive or recognize what we are doing?" The term "most High" (Hebrew: 'Elyon, Χ’ΦΆΧœΦ°Χ™Χ•ΦΉΧŸ) emphasizes God's supreme exaltedness, sovereignty, and transcendence, making their questioning of His knowledge even more audacious given His ultimate position.

Practical Application

Psalm 73:11 serves as a powerful reminder that while the wicked may scoff at divine oversight, God is indeed omniscient and omnipresent. For believers, this verse encourages steadfast faith, especially when faced with the apparent prosperity of the ungodly or when doubts arise about God's justice. It reminds us that our actions, thoughts, and even the secret intents of our hearts are known to God (Jeremiah 17:10). Ultimately, Psalm 73 resolves Asaph's dilemma by revealing the true end of the wicked and God's unwavering justice, which is revealed in His sanctuary.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hosea 7:2

    And they consider not in their hearts [that] I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face.

  • Zephaniah 1:12

    And it shall come to pass at that time, [that] I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.

  • Job 22:13

    And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud?

  • Job 22:14

    Thick clouds [are] a covering to him, that he seeth not; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven.

  • Psalms 94:7

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

  • 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 44:21

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