Psalm 10:13

Translations

Modern

Why has the wicked man renounced God? He says to himself, “You will never call me to account.”

Traditional

Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.

Literal

Upon what does the wicked spurn God? He has said in his heart, “You will not call me to account.”

Latin

Propter quid irritavit impius Deum? dixit enim in corde suo: Non requiret.

Original

Hebrew

English

Why has the wicked man renounced God? He says to himself, “You will never call me to account.”

Notes

Psalms 10:12–15

With confidence that the wicked will be held responsible for their deeds and that the Lord will care for the helpless, the psalmist prays intensely for rescue from evil.

Psalms 10:1–18

The lament in Psalm 9:13–20 continues in Psalm 10 (see study note on Psalms 9–10). However, the mood shifts from confident statements to anguished questions. The psalmist prays for rescue, trusting that the Lord, as a just king, take care of the needy.

Psalms 9:1–10:18

This hymn celebrates the Lord's rule and triumph over evil. It may also respond to the laments in Psalms 3–7.

Some believe that Psalms 9 and 10 should be read together as one psalm in two parts. This is because Psalm 9 has a title, while Psalm 10 does not.

Despite some missing or inverted letters, the two psalms form an acrostic of the Hebrew alphabet. This means that each line or section begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Other alphabetic acrostics include Psalms 25, 34, 37, 111–112, 119, and 145.

The ancient Greek and Latin translations treat Psalms 9 and 10 as one psalm.

Theme notes and profiles

David Concern for the Poor Questions and Doubt The Poor and Needy in the Psalms

Related verses

Luke 10:16
Whoever listens to you listens to Me; whoever rejects you rejects Me; and whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”
Numbers 11:20
…but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and makes you nauseous—because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have cried out before Him, saying, ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’”
2 Chronicles 24:22
Thus King Joash failed to remember the kindness that Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had extended to him. Instead, Joash killed Jehoiada’s son. As he lay dying, Zechariah said, “May the LORD see this and call you to account.”
2 Samuel 12:9–10
Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own. You have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites.
1 Thessalonians 4:8
Anyone, then, who rejects this command does not reject man but God, the very One who gives you His Holy Spirit.
Psalm 74:10
How long, O God, will the enemy taunt You? Will the foe revile Your name forever?
Psalm 74:18
Remember how the enemy has mocked You, O LORD, how a foolish people has spurned Your name.
Genesis 42:22
And Reuben responded, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!”
Genesis 9:5
And surely I will require the life of any man or beast by whose hand your lifeblood is shed. I will demand an accounting from anyone who takes the life of his fellow man:
Luke 11:50–51
As a result, this generation will be charged with the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world,

Glossary

Acrostic David Music Persecution Poetry, Biblical Psalms, Book of

Topics

Blasphemy: General Scriptures Concerning Infidelity: General Scriptures Concerning

Psalm 10:13

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?