The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 10:4

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. The construction is concise to abruptness, and it is hard to determine the ellipses. The passage in the original runs thus: "The wicked, in the height of his scorn—will not require—no God—all his thoughts.'

Of the various attempts to supply the ellipses, and obtain a satisfactory sense, the following (that of the 'Speaker's Commentary') is probably the best: "As for the wicked in the height of his scorn—'God will not require'—'There is no God'—such are all his thoughts."

(Compare the Revised Version, which is not very different.) The general sense is that his pride conducts the wicked man to absolute atheism, or at least to practiced atheism (comp. Psalms 10:11, Psalms 10:13).

More for Psalms 10:4

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew Henry on Psalms 10:1-11Psalms 10:1-11 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryGod's withdrawings are very grievous to his people, especially in times of trouble. We stand afar off from God by our unbelief, and then complain that God stands afar off from us. Passionate words against bad men do mor…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 10:1-18Psalms 10:1-18 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION This psalm is to some extent connected with the preceding one, but not very closely. It has turns of expression which are identical, and not common elsewhere; e.g. "in times of trouble" (Psalms 10:1; comp. Ps…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 10:1-18Psalms 10:1-18 · The Pulpit CommentaryWhy? or, Hard facts and puzzling questions. Whether or no this psalm was originally a part of the ninth is a question which, as may be seen, is discussed by many expositors. The mere absence of a title to it is, however…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 10:1-18Psalms 10:1-18 · The Pulpit CommentaryTimes of darkness and fear. The experiences of the psalmist may differ from ours, but by faith and sympathy we can enter into his feelings. Besides, there is always more or less of trouble. Life is full of vicissitudes.…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 10:1-18Psalms 10:1-18 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe righteous God. The one grand thought which runs through this psalm and most of the Old Testament literature is that God, notwithstanding all appearances to the contrary, is a Righteous Being, and that all wickedness…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 10:4Psalms 10:4 · The Pulpit CommentaryMan's thoughts. I. MAN HAS THOUGHTS. He can direct his mind to the past, the present, the future. He can speculate as to the manifold things that come before him and affect his interests. It is his glory that he can thi…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 10:1-11God's withdrawings are very grievous to his people, especially in times of trouble. We stand afar off from God by our unbelief, and then complain that God stands afar off from us. Passionate words against bad men do mor…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 10:1-18The righteous God. The one grand thought which runs through this psalm and most of the Old Testament literature is that God, notwithstanding all appearances to the contrary, is a Righteous Being, and that all wickedness…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 10:1-18EXPOSITION This psalm is to some extent connected with the preceding one, but not very closely. It has turns of expression which are identical, and not common elsewhere; e.g. "in times of trouble" (Psalms 10:1; comp. Ps…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 10:1-18Why? or, Hard facts and puzzling questions. Whether or no this psalm was originally a part of the ninth is a question which, as may be seen, is discussed by many expositors. The mere absence of a title to it is, however…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 10:1-18Times of darkness and fear. The experiences of the psalmist may differ from ours, but by faith and sympathy we can enter into his feelings. Besides, there is always more or less of trouble. Life is full of vicissitudes.…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 10:4Man's thoughts. I. MAN HAS THOUGHTS. He can direct his mind to the past, the present, the future. He can speculate as to the manifold things that come before him and affect his interests. It is his glory that he can thi…Joseph S. Exell and contributors