Psalms 73:11

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 73:11 articulates the arrogant and self-deceptive skepticism of the wicked, who, observing their own apparent prosperity and freedom from immediate consequence, presumptuously question God's omniscience and active involvement in human affairs. This verse captures a pivotal moment in the psalmist Asaph's spiritual struggle, highlighting the profound challenge to faith that arises when divine justice seems absent, thereby setting the stage for the psalm's ultimate revelation of God's perfect knowledge and righteous judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 73 is a wisdom psalm, part of the collection attributed to Asaph (Psalms 50, 73-83). It is a deeply personal lament that transitions into a profound confession of faith. The psalm opens with Asaph's crisis of faith, triggered by the perplexing prosperity of the wicked (e.g., [Psalms 73:3-5](/psalms/73-3 "Psalm 73:3-5 - Prosperity of the Wicked")). He observes their pride, violence, and scoffing attitude, which stands in stark contrast to his own struggles despite his commitment to righteousness ([Psalms 73:13-14](/psalms/73-13 "Psalm 73:13-14 - Asaph's Struggle with Righteousness")). Verse 11 specifically gives voice to the wicked's internal reasoning and public declaration, serving as the direct cause of Asaph's spiritual turmoil. This verse is crucial for understanding the problem Asaph grapples with before his pivotal moment of understanding in [God's sanctuary](/psalms/73-17 "Psalm 73:17 - Asaph's Understanding in the Sanctuary"), where he gains perspective on the wicked's ultimate end.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near Eastern worldview, including that of Israel, generally held a strong belief in divine oversight and justice. Retribution theology, the idea that righteousness leads to blessing and wickedness to punishment, was a prevalent framework for understanding God's interaction with humanity. However, the lived experience often presented a challenge to this framework, as the wicked frequently prospered while the righteous suffered. This discrepancy led to profound theological questions, as seen in books like Job and Ecclesiastes, and here in Psalm 73. The wicked's question in verse 11 reflects a cynical denial of God's active engagement, a common human temptation to believe that one can escape divine scrutiny, especially when societal structures or immediate consequences do not enforce justice. Their questioning of God's knowledge, particularly of "the Most High," was a direct affront to the very nature of the sovereign God of Israel.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Psalm 73 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Skepticism of God's Omniscience**, directly challenging the biblical truth that God is all-knowing and all-seeing, as articulated in passages like [Psalms 139:1-6](/psalms/139-1 "Psalm 139:1-6 - God's Intimate Knowledge of Us") and [Proverbs 15:3](/proverbs/15-3 "Proverbs 15:3 - The Eyes of the Lord Are Everywhere"). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Arrogance and Presumption**, as the wicked's questioning stems from a prideful belief in their own impunity and a disregard for divine authority. Their prosperity fuels this delusion, leading them to believe they are beyond accountability. Finally, by expressing the wicked's denial, the verse implicitly sets up the overarching theme of **Divine Justice and Accountability**. Asaph's journey in the psalm ultimately leads him to understand that God indeed knows all and will bring all deeds into judgment, revealing the fleeting nature of the wicked's prosperity and the certainty of their ultimate destruction ([Psalms 73:18-20](/psalms/73-18 "Psalm 73:18-20 - The Sudden Destruction of the Wicked")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Know (Hebrew, _yada'_):** The Hebrew word יָדַע (_yada'_) is far richer than a mere intellectual understanding. It encompasses experiential knowledge, intimate acquaintance, active perception, and even recognition. When the wicked ask, "How doth God know?", they are not merely questioning God's intellectual capacity but challenging His active awareness, His ability to perceive and engage with their actions, and His intimate understanding of their hidden deeds. They imply He is either distant, indifferent, or incapable of truly discerning their ways.
* **Most High (Hebrew, _'Elyon'_):** The term עֶלְיוֹן (_'Elyon'_) is a majestic title for God, emphasizing His supreme exaltedness, sovereignty, transcendence, and ultimate authority. It signifies God as the highest, above all other gods and powers. The wicked's question, "and is there knowledge in the most High?", is therefore not just a doubt about knowledge but a audacious challenge to God's very nature and position. If the "Most High" lacks knowledge, then His sovereignty is compromised, and His claim to ultimate rule is undermined, which is precisely the delusion the wicked embrace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they say":** This phrase identifies the speakers as the wicked, whose apparent prosperity and defiant attitude have been described earlier in the psalm. The use of "they say" (וַיֹּאמְרוּ, _vayyomru_) indicates a collective, confident, and perhaps even public declaration of their cynical worldview. It's not a private thought but an expressed conviction, contributing to the psalmist's distress.
* **"How doth God know?":** This rhetorical question expresses the wicked's profound skepticism and denial of God's omniscience. It's not a genuine inquiry but a statement of disbelief, implying that God is either too far removed, too busy, or simply incapable of discerning the hidden motives and actions of humanity, particularly their own unrighteous deeds. They believe their actions go unnoticed and unjudged.
* **"and is there knowledge in the most High?":** This second rhetorical question reiterates and intensifies the first, specifically applying the doubt to God in His exalted, sovereign capacity as "the Most High." By questioning knowledge in "the Most High," they are challenging the very foundation of divine governance and moral order. If the supreme ruler lacks knowledge, then accountability is moot, and their perceived impunity is justified in their own minds.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 73:11 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**, where the wicked's queries ("How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?") are not posed to elicit information but to express their firm conviction and denial of God's omniscience. This technique effectively reveals their arrogant mindset and serves to highlight the spiritual crisis it causes for the psalmist. There is also a strong element of **Irony** present. The wicked confidently declare God's ignorance, yet the very psalm they appear in, and indeed the entire biblical witness, affirms God's perfect and intimate knowledge of all things, including their own hearts and ultimate destiny. This dramatic irony underscores the profound delusion under which the wicked operate. Furthermore, the verse uses **Contrast**, setting up a stark opposition between the wicked's cynical worldview of a distant, unknowing deity and the psalmist's eventual realization of God's active, all-seeing presence and impending judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse probes a fundamental theological tension: the apparent disconnect between divine justice and human experience. The wicked's denial of God's knowledge is not merely an intellectual error but a profound spiritual rebellion, a rejection of divine accountability and an assertion of human autonomy that seeks to operate outside of God's moral order. It challenges the very nature of God as sovereign, righteous, and actively involved in His creation. Theologically, it forces the question of God's immanence (His presence and involvement in the world) versus His transcendence (His being above and beyond creation). The wicked emphasize a distant, transcendent God who is too far removed to know or care, while the psalmist's journey ultimately affirms a God who is both transcendent in His majesty and immanent in His perfect knowledge and ultimate judgment. This denial of God's knowledge is a common thread among those who refuse to acknowledge His authority or submit to His ways, often leading to a false sense of security and impunity.

* [Psalms 94:7-9](/psalms/94-7 "The Lord Sees and Hears")
* [Job 22:13-14](/job/22-13 "Eliphaz's Accusation of God's Distance")
* [Isaiah 29:15-16](/isaiah/29-15 "Woe to Those Who Hide Their Plans")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 73:11 serves as a timeless mirror, reflecting a temptation common to all humanity: to doubt God's active knowledge and involvement when circumstances seem to contradict His justice. In a world where unrighteousness often appears to prosper and accountability seems delayed, this verse challenges us to examine our own hearts. Do we, like the wicked, subtly entertain the notion that our hidden thoughts, secret actions, or unconfessed sins go unnoticed by God? Or do we, like Asaph, wrestle with the apparent injustice of the world, only to find our resolution in the truth of God's unwavering omniscience and ultimate judgment? This verse calls us to steadfast faith, reminding us that God sees, knows, and will ultimately bring every deed into account. It encourages us to live with integrity, knowing that true prosperity is found not in fleeting worldly success but in a righteous relationship with the One who knows us perfectly and judges justly.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I respond when the wicked seem to prosper without immediate consequence, and what does this reveal about my trust in God's timing and justice?**
* **In what areas of my life might I subtly doubt God's active knowledge or involvement, perhaps by thinking certain thoughts or actions are too small or hidden for Him to notice?**
* **How does the truth of God's perfect omniscience (His knowing everything about me) shape my daily decisions, my pursuit of holiness, and my comfort in His sovereign control?**

### FAQ
**What does "the most High" signify in this context?**

Answer: "The most High" translates the Hebrew title _'Elyon_ (עֶלְיוֹן), which is a majestic and ancient name for God emphasizing His supreme exaltation, sovereignty, and transcendence. It signifies that God is the highest, above all other powers, authorities, and even the heavens themselves. In the context of Psalms 73:11, the wicked's question, "is there knowledge in the most High?", is a direct challenge to this supreme attribute. They are not just questioning God's knowledge in general, but specifically questioning whether the ultimate, sovereign ruler of the universe possesses the awareness to discern their actions. This makes their skepticism even more audacious and blasphemous, as it undermines the very foundation of God's authority and His ability to govern justly. The title _'Elyon_ appears elsewhere in Scripture, such as when Melchizedek is described as a priest of "[God Most High](/genesis/14-18 "Genesis 14:18 - Melchizedek, Priest of God Most High")" or in [Psalms 91:1](/psalms/91-1 "Psalm 91:1 - Dwelling in the Shelter of the Most High"), emphasizing His protective power.

**How does Psalm 73 ultimately answer the wicked's question?**

Answer: Psalm 73 provides a profound and definitive answer to the wicked's question through the psalmist Asaph's spiritual journey. Asaph initially struggles deeply with the apparent injustice, almost stumbling in his faith ([Psalms 73:2](/psalms/73-2 "Psalm 73:2 - My Feet Had Almost Stumbled")). However, his turning point comes when he "went into the [sanctuary of God](/psalms/73-17 "Psalm 73:17 - Asaph's Understanding in the Sanctuary")" (verse 17). There, he gains divine perspective and understands "their end." He realizes that the wicked's prosperity is fleeting and precarious, like standing on slippery ground, destined for sudden and terrifying destruction ([Psalms 73:18-20](/psalms/73-18 "Psalm 73:18-20 - The Sudden Destruction of the Wicked")). This revelation confirms that God indeed knows all and will ultimately bring all deeds to judgment. The psalm concludes with Asaph reaffirming his trust in God's constant presence, guidance, and ultimate glory, recognizing that true good is found in drawing near to God, not in worldly success ([Psalms 73:23-28](/psalms/73-23 "Psalm 73:23-28 - Asaph's Affirmation of Faith")). Thus, the psalm unequivocally affirms God's omniscience and His perfect, albeit sometimes delayed, justice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The skepticism of the wicked in Psalms 73:11, questioning God's knowledge, finds its ultimate and definitive refutation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the perfect revelation of God's omniscience and the embodiment of divine justice. While the wicked scoffed, believing their deeds were hidden, Jesus demonstrated that He possessed an inherent, divine knowledge of all things, including the secret thoughts and intentions of hearts ([John 2:24-25](/john/2-24 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus Knew What Was in Man")). He knew Nathanael before they met ([John 1:48](/john/1-48 "John 1:48 - Jesus Saw Nathanael Under the Fig Tree")), the Samaritan woman's entire life story ([John 4:17-19](/john/4-17 "John 4:17-19 - Jesus Reveals the Samaritan Woman's Past")), and the inner motives of His disciples and adversaries alike. Moreover, Jesus is the one to whom all judgment has been committed by the Father ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Has Committed All Judgment to the Son")), ensuring that every hidden thing will be brought to light ([Luke 12:2-3](/luke/12-2 "Luke 12:2-3 - Nothing Hidden That Will Not Be Revealed")) and all will stand before His judgment seat ([2 Corinthians 5:10](/2_corinthians/5-10 "2 Corinthians 5:10 - The Judgment Seat of Christ")). Therefore, the wicked's defiant question in Psalm 73:11 is not merely answered but utterly dismantled by the Christ, who is the omniscient Judge, perfectly aware of every deed and thought, and whose coming will usher in the final, undeniable revelation of God's perfect justice, bringing ultimate vindication for the righteous and swift, eternal judgment for those who denied His knowledge and authority.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.