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

PSALMS 10:11KJV
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Psalms 10:11 (KJV)

What does Psalms 10:11 mean?

Psalms 10:11 describes how a wicked person convinces himself that God does not notice his actions, believing that God has forgotten, is hiding his face, and will never see what he does. This verse shows the inner thoughts of someone who thinks he can act without being held accountable by God.

The psalmist is speaking about the mindset of arrogant or evil people, not expressing his own belief. In the context of Psalm 10, the writer is troubled by the apparent success of the wicked and is describing how they justify their wrongdoing to themselves. The verse highlights a common human temptation to think that wrongdoing goes unseen or unpunished, especially when justice seems delayed.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 10:11

  • "God" (אֵל, El): This is a general term for God, emphasizing His power and might. The use of אֵל (El) here underlines that even the all-powerful God is being dismissed by the wicked person.
  • "Forgotten" (שָׁכַח, shakach): This word means to forget or to ignore. The wicked person assumes God has lost interest or memory of what happens on earth.
  • "Hideth" (סָתַר, satar): This word means to hide or conceal. The idea is that God is deliberately turning away, not looking at what is happening.
  • "Face" (פָּנִים, panim): In Hebrew thought, God's "face" represents His attention or favor. Saying God hides His face means He is not paying attention or is withholding His involvement.
  • "Never" (בַּל, bal): This word intensifies the statement, suggesting absolute certainty in the wicked person's mind that God will not see.
  • "See" (רָאָה, ra'ah): This means to see or observe. The wicked person is convinced that God will not notice or judge his actions.

Why Psalms 10:11 matters

  • Psalms 10:11 helps clarify that the verse is not expressing doubt about God, but exposing the self-deception of those who do wrong and think they can escape notice.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme of Psalm 10, where the psalmist wrestles with why the wicked seem to prosper and challenges the idea that God is uninvolved.
  • Understanding the original words for "face" and "see" highlights how personal and attentive God's involvement is meant to be, making the wicked person's belief especially misguided.

Where else these words appear

“never” Hebrew H5331 · used in 42 verses

  • 1 Samuel 15:29 And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.
  • Psalms 44:23 Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.
  • Isaiah 13:20 It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.

“hideth” Hebrew H5641 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 4:14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
  • Psalms 13:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
  • Proverbs 28:28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

“forgotten” Hebrew H7911 · used in 95 verses

  • Genesis 27:45 Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?
  • Psalms 31:12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
  • Proverbs 31:7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.