Psalm 10 4

Psalm 10:4 kjv

The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

Psalm 10:4 nkjv

The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.

Psalm 10:4 niv

In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

Psalm 10:4 esv

In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, "There is no God."

Psalm 10:4 nlt

The wicked are too proud to seek God.
They seem to think that God is dead.

Psalm 10 verses

Psalm 10 4 Meaning

Psalm 10:4 describes the mindset and conduct of the wicked person. It reveals that driven by immense pride, such an individual openly disregards God and makes no effort to know Him or seek His will. The core of their internal thinking and plans is a practical denial of God's active involvement, power, or existence, asserting, "There is no God" in a way that dictates their every action and thought process. This verse encapsulates the root cause of the wicked's oppressive behavior described in Psalm 10, pinpointing an internal atheism or deism that underpins their outward lawlessness.

Psalm 10 4 Context

Psalm 10 describes the wicked man from the perspective of the righteous sufferer who appeals to God for justice. The psalm opens with the lament of the righteous, wondering why God seems distant amidst the oppression by the wicked (Ps 10:1). The description in Psalm 10:4 explains why the wicked behave as they do, setting the stage for the specific atrocities listed later in the chapter, such as violence, greed, deceit, and boasting (Ps 10:2-3, 7-10). This verse highlights that the wicked person's outward actions stem from a deeply entrenched inner condition – an arrogant disregard for God that removes any sense of divine accountability, enabling their evil pursuits. Historically, this perspective often reflected the reality of oppressive human rulers or individuals who acted with impunity, believing themselves above any ultimate judgment.

Psalm 10 4 Word analysis

• In the pride of his countenance (בְּגֹֽבַהּ אַפֹּ֥ו, bəḡōḇah ’appōw):

  • בְּגֹֽבַהּ (bəḡōḇah): "In the height" or "in the loftiness/pride." Gōḇah (גֹּבַהּ) signifies literal height but frequently refers to haughtiness, arrogance, or elevated status (e.g., in spirit or look). It denotes a puffed-up self-importance.
  • אַפֹּ֥ו (’appōw): "His nose" or "his face." ’Aph (אַף) primarily means nose or nostril, often associated with anger (flared nostrils) or a visible expression of disdain and haughtiness. When combined with gōḇah, it forms an idiom "haughtiness of face/nose," indicating a disdainful, lofty, and contemptuous outward demeanor. This physical expression betrays the internal attitude of arrogance and superiority, suggesting an open defiance against God.

• the wicked (רָשָׁע, rāšā‘):

  • Rāšā‘ (רָשָׁע) is a key biblical term for someone guilty, unrighteous, or legally condemned. It characterizes one who lives contrary to God's law and principles, often inflicting harm upon others. In the Psalms, the rāšā‘ is consistently contrasted with the ṣaddîq (righteous).

• does not seek him (לֹ֣א יִדְרֹ֑שׁ, lō’ yiḏrōš):

  • לֹ֣א (lō’): "Not." A strong negation.
  • יִדְרֹ֑שׁ (yiḏrōš): "He will seek/inquire." From the verb dāraš (דָּרַשׁ), meaning to seek, inquire, consult, investigate, or require. This is not passive ignorance but an active refusal or willful neglect to engage with God, His will, or His presence. The "him" refers directly to God, whose perceived absence is central to the wicked's worldview.

• all his thoughts are, 'There is no God.' (כָּל־מְזִמֹּתָ֥יו אֵ֖ין אֱלֹהִֽים׃, kāl-məzimmōṯāw ’ên ’ĕlōhîm):

  • כָּל־מְזִמֹּתָ֥יו (kāl-məzimmōṯāw): "All his schemes/devices/plans." Məzimmāh (מְזִמָּה) refers to deep thoughts, plans, or contrivances, often with a negative connotation of malicious scheming or mischievous devices (e.g., in Proverbs, where "wicked devices" are mentioned). This implies that their fundamental way of thinking and planning their life is predicated on this assumption.
  • אֵ֖ין אֱלֹהִֽים׃ (’ên ’ĕlōhîm): "No God" or "There is no God." ’Ên (אֵין) is a negation, signifying "there is not," "nothing," or "no." ’Ělōhîm (אֱלֹהִים) is the common Hebrew word for God. This is not necessarily an intellectual, philosophical atheism, but a practical one. It's an operational assumption that God is irrelevant, uninvolved, or non-existent in their daily affairs, meaning there are no divine consequences for their actions. It allows them to pursue self-interest without moral restraint or fear of ultimate judgment.

Psalm 10 4 Bonus section

This verse can be understood as describing a form of "practical atheism," which is distinct from theoretical or intellectual atheism. A person may not explicitly declare that God does not exist, but by their actions, priorities, and internal thought processes, they live as if God does not exist or, more accurately, does not intervene or hold them accountable. This practical atheism is a greater danger to personal morality than mere philosophical skepticism because it immediately impacts one's choices and behavior. It is deeply connected to the fall of humanity, where humanity desired to be "like God," deciding good and evil for themselves, independent of divine decree (Gen 3:5). The pride here in Psalm 10:4 reflects this foundational rebellion, where the wicked elevate their own will and thoughts above any divine authority, echoing the core sin that severed humanity's relationship with God.

Psalm 10 4 Commentary

Psalm 10:4 presents a profound psychological and theological insight into the nature of the wicked. It highlights that the root of evil conduct is not merely external circumstances or temptation but an internal disposition fueled by pride. This pride is not hidden; it's manifested in the wicked's very bearing – their haughty countenance signaling an audacious defiance of God. They are so self-sufficient and contemptuous that they do not even bother to acknowledge, let alone seek, the Divine. This is a deliberate, active avoidance of God. The deepest level of their corruption lies in their thought life; all their plans and considerations proceed from the practical conviction that "There is no God," or more accurately, "God is not here (to interfere or judge)." This functional atheism liberates them from divine accountability, allowing their oppressive schemes to proliferate without spiritual conscience. Their worldview is utterly human-centric, devoid of divine authority, which frees them to commit the transgressions described in the surrounding verses. This verse thus serves as a theological anchor, showing how spiritual blindness and pride lead to moral decay and acts of injustice. For instance, a person who thinks "there is no God watching" will act selfishly in business dealings, disregarding justice for personal gain, believing they are above reproach because they deny ultimate judgment. Similarly, an individual might act violently towards others without remorse if they deny the inherent value and sacredness of human life as divinely created, and scoff at future retribution.