In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights a subtler truth: the wicked's thoughts aren't just ignorant of God, they are actively shaped by the assumption that there is no God to hold them accountable. This isn't mere forgetfulness; it's a calculated denial that underpins their every wicked scheme.
In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm is a lament, a desperate cry to God about the oppression and arrogance of wicked people. The psalmist describes how these individuals, puffed up by their own perceived success and desires, operate with a blatant disregard for divine authority. They are so consumed by their own schemes and lusts that they completely ignore God, believing their actions are unseen and will go unpunished.
Ever met someone who just seems to look down on everyone and everything? The Bible has a name for that attitude, and it's deeply connected to how they relate to God.
Psalm 10:4 vividly describes the wicked person's attitude, starting with "the pride of his face." This isn't just a casual smirk; it's a deep-seated arrogance, often visible in their very demeanor.
A Visible Scorn
This pride is so profound it's outwardly expressed, like a defiant glare. It signifies a refusal to acknowledge any authority higher than themselves. This outward show is a direct result of an inner condition: a heart that's shut off from God.
The Root of Rejection
This haughtiness makes them unwilling to "seek God." They don't pray, they don't inquire about His will, and they certainly don't humble themselves before Him. Their self-sufficiency means they believe they have no need for divine counsel or help.
What happens when someone truly believes there's no God? It’s not just an academic idea; it fundamentally changes how they live and think.
The second half of Psalm 10:4 delivers a stark conclusion: "all his thoughts are, 'There is no God.'" This isn't necessarily a loud, public declaration of atheism, but a deep-seated practical reality.
Practical Atheism
For the wicked described here, their actions and plans are carried out as if God doesn't exist. They don't consider divine judgment, accountability, or moral law. Their decisions are based solely on their own desires and perceived self-interest.
Ask a follow-up
God Absent from the Mind
Even if they might intellectually acknowledge God's existence, He plays no part in their mental landscape or decision-making. They don't seek His guidance, fear His wrath, or desire His approval. This absence of God in their thoughts leads them to justify their wickedness and live without restraint.
Understand the original words
gobah · Hebrew Noun
Refers to a mindset of self-sufficiency and moral autonomy that rejects the need for God's authority, guidance, or presence in one's life.
This passage echoes the sentiment of Psalm 10:4, stating directly that 'fools say in their heart, “There is no God.”' Both verses highlight the denial of God's existence or relevance as a core characteristic of the wicked.
Romans 1:21-23Paul describes how people knew God but 'did not honor him as God or give thanks to him,' instead exchanging the truth about God for a lie and worshipping created things. This aligns with the Psalmist's description of the wicked whose thoughts are devoid of God, reflecting a deliberate turning away from acknowledging Him.
Proverbs 3:5-6In contrast to the wicked who 'do not seek him' because 'there is no God' in their thoughts, this proverb urges believers to 'trust in the LORD with all your heart' and 'not rely on your own understanding.' It shows the opposite posture: seeking God and acknowledging His guidance in all things.
Jeremiah 17:9This verse describes the 'heart' as 'deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.' The wicked person in Psalm 10:4, with all their thoughts focused on denial of God, exemplifies this deceitful heart that tries to operate independently of its Creator.
calvinPsalms 10:3-4: "For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth."
For the ungodly praiseth himself on account of the desire of his own soul; and the violent man blesseth himself; he despiseth Jehovah. 4. The ungodly, in the pride of his countenance, [195] inquireth not: all his devices say, There is no God.
For the ungodly praiseth himself. This verse is variously explained. Literally the reading is, For praiseth the wicked or ungodly; an…
clarkePsalms 10:4: "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts."
Will not seek after God - He is too proud to bend his knee before his Judge; he is too haughty to put on sackcloth, and lay himself in the dust, though without deep repentance and humiliation he must without doubt perish everlastingly.
The verse highlights a subtler truth: the wicked's thoughts aren't just ignorant of God, they are actively shaped by the assumption that there is no God to hold them accountable. This isn't mere forgetfulness; it's a calculated denial that underpins their every wicked scheme.
This psalm is a lament, a desperate cry to God about the oppression and arrogance of wicked people. The psalmist describes how these individuals, puffed up by their own perceived success and desires, operate with a blatant disregard for divine authority. They are so consumed by their own schemes and lusts that they completely ignore God, believing their actions are unseen and will go unpunished.
This psalm is a lament, a desperate cry to God about the oppression and arrogance of wicked people. The psalmist describes how these individuals, puffed up by their own perceived success and desires, operate with a blatant disregard for divine authority. They are so consumed by their own schemes and lusts that they completely ignore God, believing their actions are unseen and will go unpunished.
"In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”" — The verse highlights a subtler truth: the wicked's thoughts aren't just ignorant of God, they are actively shaped by the assumption that there is no God to hold them accountable. This isn't mere fo…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026