Psalm 73:11-13
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The psalm isn't just about the wicked questioning God; it highlights that even followers of God, when troubled by the prosperity of the ungodly, can be tempted to doubt if God truly sees or cares about what's happening on earth. This reveals a subtle but crucial point: faith isn't about never doubting, but about grappling with those doubts, especially when divine justice seems absent.
And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?” Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist, Asaph, is wrestling with a profound crisis of faith caused by the apparent prosperity of wicked people who seem to face no divine judgment. He describes their success and arrogance, which leads to intense doubt. This verse reveals the cynical conclusion these prospering wicked, or those who follow their example, arrive at: questioning God's awareness and oversight of earthly affairs.
Have you ever looked at the world and wondered if God is even paying attention? This psalm dives deep into that very struggle, showing how the prosperity of the wicked can make God's justice seem absent.
The psalmist, Asaph, begins by asserting God's goodness but then describes a profound crisis. He observes the wicked flourishing—seemingly healthy, free from troubles, arrogant, and prosperous. This stark contrast between divine justice and worldly reality leads to a dangerous question:
The Question of Divine Ignorance
Asaph records the words spoken, likely by those caught in this doubt: 'How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?' This isn't just a casual inquiry; it's born from deep confusion and near despair. The prosperity of those who defy God makes it seem as though God is either unaware of human affairs, or perhaps unable to intervene. It's a critical moment where faith is tested by the visible evidence of suffering and injustice.
Who is speaking these words of doubt? Are they the wicked themselves, or someone else? Understanding the speaker is key to grasping the weight of this moment.
The identity of 'they' in verse 11 is crucial. While some commentators suggest it's the wicked themselves, boasting in their freedom from divine oversight, a closer look suggests a more poignant meaning.
The Doubt of the Godly
Many scholars believe 'they' refers to those who are observers of the wicked, possibly even those who God's people but are deeply troubled by the apparent injustice. They aren't necessarily denying God's existence, but questioning His awareness and involvement in the daily affairs of humanity. This perspective makes the verse a powerful reflection of how even the faithful can be shaken when the world's reality seems to contradict God's goodness and sovereignty. It's the voice of doubt arising from within the community of faith, triggered by the stark contrast in fortunes.
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Questioning God's knowledge might seem like a minor doubt, but in Scripture, it strikes at the very heart of who God is. This isn't just skepticism; it's deep offense.
The questions, 'How can God know?' and 'Is there knowledge in the Most High?' are more than just expressions of confusion; they are profound challenges to God's very nature and His role as sovereign ruler.
Attacking God's Attributes
By questioning God's knowledge (how He knows, or if He knows at all), the speakers are essentially questioning His omniscience – His all-knowing nature. By using the title 'Most High,' they acknowledge His supreme position, but then immediately undermine it by doubting His awareness of events below. This implies that if God truly knew, He would act differently. This line of thinking can lead to a dangerous place where God's justice, His power, and His faithfulness are all called into question. It's a subtle but potent form of blasphemy that arises when life's circumstances don't align with our understanding of a just and all-powerful God.
Understand the original words
'el · Hebrew Noun
The Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who is sovereign over all creation and personal in His dealings with humanity. He is the focus of all worship and the ultimate source of truth and morality.
'elyown · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
The highest, supreme, or exalted one; a title indicating God’s supreme authority, sovereignty, and transcendence over all other powers or beings.
rasha' · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
Those who act in moral rebellion against God's law. They are characterized by a lack of fear of God and a lifestyle that disregards His righteousness.
lebab · Hebrew Noun
The inward center of human life, encompassing the intellect, emotions, will, and conscience. It is the place where God evaluates the true nature of a person.
naqiy · Hebrew Noun
Moral purity or uprightness; the quality of being free from guilt or wrongdoing, often associated with outward conduct reflecting inward integrity.
The question 'How can God know?' in Psalm 73 likely arose during a time of intense national crisis for Israel, particularly after the fall of the Northern Kingdom to Assyria. Observing the prosperity of the wicked, even amidst this devastation, caused many to doubt God's awareness and involvement in human affairs.
c. 1000-900 BC
Davidic Monarchy Flourishes
Following King David's consolidation of power and Solomon's construction of the Temple, the united monarchy enjoyed a period of relative peace and prosperity. This era set a high bar for national well-being, making subsequent struggles more jarring.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divides
After Solomon's death, the kingdom split into Israel (North) and Judah (South). This division led to political instability, internal strife, and a weakening of the nation, impacting the sense of divine favor.
c. 8th Century BC
Assyrian Threat Looms
The growing power of the Neo-Assyrian Empire began to exert pressure on the divided kingdoms. This external threat exacerbated internal anxieties and fueled questions about divine protection.
c. 740-720 BC— this verse
Fall of Samaria and Israel
The Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Assyrians, and its population was exiled. This catastrophic event deeply shook the faith of many, raising profound questions about God's knowledge and power.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
The Assyrian king Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. Although Jerusalem miraculously survived, the intense pressure and fear intensified the spiritual crisis of the era.
This passage directly echoes the doubt expressed in Psalms 73:11, showing the wicked questioning if God truly sees or has knowledge of earthly affairs, especially when they are prospering.
Jeremiah 12:1-2Here, even the prophet Jeremiah wrestles with the apparent success of the wicked, questioning God's justice and knowledge, mirroring the psalmist's struggle and the doubt voiced in Psalms 73:11.
Ezekiel 9:9This verse describes the wicked who believe God has no knowledge or concern for their actions, saying 'The Lord has forsaken the land, and the Lord does not see,' which aligns with the skepticism in Psalms 73:11.
Psalm 10:4This psalm reflects a similar mindset to Psalms 73:11, where the wicked, in their arrogance, 'thinks in his heart, “You will not call to account; for God forgets, he hides his face, he will never see.”'
Romans 8:31-32While not expressing doubt, this passage powerfully affirms God's knowledge and active involvement in our lives, offering a profound counterpoint to the skepticism in Psalms 73:11 by highlighting God's unwavering love and care.
clarkePsalms 73:11: "And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?"
They say, How doth God know? - My people are so stumbled with the prosperity of the wicked, that they are ready in their temptation to say, "Surely, God cannot know these things, or he would never dispense his favors thus." Others consider these words as the saying of the wicked: "We may oppress these people as we please, and live as we list; God knows nothing about it."
poolePsalms 73:11: "And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?"
They; either, 1. The godly. Or rather, 2. Those wicked ones, whose words and actions he hath been hitherto describing, or the people confederate with them. For these and such-like opinions are oft ascribed to the wicked in Scripture, but never, as far as I know; to any good man. And Job, though he used many intemperate speeches, and though some such expressions as this were charged upon him by his friends,…
The psalm isn't just about the wicked questioning God; it highlights that even followers of God, when troubled by the prosperity of the ungodly, can be tempted to doubt if God truly sees or cares about what's happening on earth. This reveals a subtle but crucial point: faith isn't about never doubting, but about grappling with those doubts, especially when divine justice seems absent.
The psalmist, Asaph, is wrestling with a profound crisis of faith caused by the apparent prosperity of wicked people who seem to face no divine judgment. He describes their success and arrogance, which leads to intense doubt. This verse reveals the cynical conclusion these prospering wicked, or those who follow their example, arrive at: questioning God's awareness and oversight of earthly affairs.
The psalmist, Asaph, is wrestling with a profound crisis of faith caused by the apparent prosperity of wicked people who seem to face no divine judgment. He describes their success and arrogance, which leads to intense doubt. This verse reveals the cynical conclusion these prospering wicked, or those who follow their example, arrive at: questioning God's awareness and oversight of earthly affairs.
"And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?” Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence." — The psalm isn't just about the wicked questioning God; it highlights that even followers of God, when troubled by the prosperity of the ungodly, can be tempted to doubt if God truly sees or cares abo…
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Last reviewed October 2026
