Psalms 10:13
Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.
Original Language Analysis
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 9
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מֶ֤ה׀
H4100
מֶ֤ה׀
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
2 of 9
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
נִאֵ֖ץ
contemn
H5006
נִאֵ֖ץ
contemn
Strong's:
H5006
Word #:
3 of 9
to scorn; or (in ecclesiastes 12:5), by interchange for h5132, to bloom
רָשָׁ֥ע׀
Wherefore doth the wicked
H7563
רָשָׁ֥ע׀
Wherefore doth the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
4 of 9
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
אֱלֹהִ֑ים
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֑ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 9
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
בְּ֝לִבּ֗וֹ
in his heart
H3820
בְּ֝לִבּ֗וֹ
in his heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
7 of 9
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
Historical Context
Written during a time when evildoers prospered and mocked the idea of divine justice, similar to scoffers in 2 Peter 3:3-4 who ask 'Where is the promise of His coming?'
Questions for Reflection
- How does your life demonstrate belief in future accountability to God?
- What cultural narratives deny divine judgment, and how do you counter them?
Analysis & Commentary
The psalmist questions why the wicked revile God by saying 'He will not call to account.' This reveals the connection between denying God's judgment and blaspheming His character. The Hebrew 'na'ats' (revile/despise) indicates contempt for God's moral nature. Reformed theology affirms that denying accountability to God is the essence of sin's rebellion.