Psalms 10:11
He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.
Original Language Analysis
בְּ֭לִבּוֹ
in his heart
H3820
בְּ֭לִבּוֹ
in his heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
2 of 9
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
שָׁ֣כַֽח
hath forgotten
H7911
שָׁ֣כַֽח
hath forgotten
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
3 of 9
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
אֵ֑ל
God
H410
אֵ֑ל
God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
4 of 9
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
הִסְתִּ֥יר
he hideth
H5641
הִסְתִּ֥יר
he hideth
Strong's:
H5641
Word #:
5 of 9
to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively
פָּ֝נָ֗יו
his face
H6440
פָּ֝נָ֗יו
his face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
6 of 9
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בַּל
H1077
בַּל
Strong's:
H1077
Word #:
7 of 9
properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually (adverb) not at all; also lest
Cross References
Ezekiel 8:12Then 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 94:7Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.Psalms 10:6He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.Psalms 73:11And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?Psalms 64:5They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?Ecclesiastes 8:11Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.Ezekiel 9:9Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.
Historical Context
Reflects the functional atheism of oppressors who publicly acknowledged God but lived as if He didn't observe their actions—a pattern condemned by the prophets.
Questions for Reflection
- In what subtle ways do you live as if God doesn't see your actions?
- How does God's omniscience affect your private behavior?
Analysis & Commentary
The wicked's theology is revealed: God has forgotten, hidden His face, and will never see. This is practical atheism—even if God exists, He is irrelevant. The Hebrew 'shakach' (forgotten) and 'sathar' (hidden) suggest divine disengagement. This false theology justifies wickedness by denying divine omniscience and providence, contradicting Psalm 139's affirmation that God sees all.