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Psalm 73:11 The wicked say, "How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?"
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 73:11 The wicked say, "How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/73-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/19_Psa_073_011.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 73:11 - Endow the King with Your Justice" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The wicked say, How can God know? 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Does the Most High know anything?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/73.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/73.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/73.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/73.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/73.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And they say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/73.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge with the Most High?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/73.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge with the Most High?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/73.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And they say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge with the Most High?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/73.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge with the Most High?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/73.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge [of us] with the Most High?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/73.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High know everything? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/73.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High know everything?” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/73.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they say, How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/73.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Only evil people would say, "God Most High cannot know everything!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/73.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/73.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then wicked people ask, "What does God know?" "Does the Most High know anything?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/73.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They say, "God will not know; the Most High will not find out." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/73.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then they say, "How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/73.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They say, "How does God know what we do? Is the sovereign one aware of what goes on?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/73.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They say, "How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/73.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/73.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/73.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/73.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they have said, “How has God known? And is there knowledge in the Most High?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/73.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And they have said, 'How hath God known? And is there knowledge in the Most High?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/73.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they said, How did God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/73.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they said: How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/73.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 72:11>And they said, “How would God know?” and, “Isn’t there knowledge in high places?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/73.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They say, “Does God really know?” “Does the Most High have any knowledge?” <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/73.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/73.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They shall say, How does God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/73.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they will say, "How does God know?", and "Is there knowledge in The Highest?"<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/73.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they say: 'How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/73.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they said, How does God know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/73-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=8866" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/73.htm">Endow the King with Your Justice</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>So their people return to this place and drink up waters in abundance. <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wə·’ā·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">The wicked say,</a> <a href="/hebrew/349.htm" title="349: ’ê·ḵāh (Interjection) -- How?. Also eykah; and teykakah; prolonged from 'ay; how? Or how!; also where.">“How</a> <a href="/hebrew/410.htm" title="410: ’êl (N-ms) -- God, in pl. gods. Shortened from 'ayil; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty.">can God</a> <a href="/hebrew/3426.htm" title="3426: wə·yêš (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Being, substance, existence, is. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏa‘- (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">know?</a> <a href="/hebrew/5945.htm" title="5945: ḇə·‘el·yō·wn (Prep-b:: Adj-ms) -- An elevation, lofty, as title, the Supreme. From alah; an elevation, i.e. Lofty; as title, the Supreme.">Does the Most High</a> <a href="/hebrew/1844.htm" title="1844: dê·‘āh (N-fs) -- Knowledge. Feminine of dea'; knowledge.">have knowledge?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>Behold, these are the wicked—always carefree as they increase their wealth.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/22-13.htm">Job 22:13-14</a></span><br />Yet you say: ‘What does God know? Does He judge through thick darkness? / Thick clouds veil Him so He does not see us as He traverses the vault of heaven.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-14.htm">Malachi 3:14-15</a></span><br />You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the LORD of Hosts? / So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/8-12.htm">Ezekiel 8:12</a></span><br />“Son of man,” He said to me, “do you see what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? For they are saying, ‘The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-15.htm">Isaiah 29:15</a></span><br />Woe to those who dig deep to hide their plans from the LORD. In darkness they do their works and say, “Who sees us, and who will know?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1</a></span><br />Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-11.htm">Psalm 10:11</a></span><br />He says to himself, “God has forgotten; He hides His face and never sees.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/94-7.htm">Psalm 94:7</a></span><br />They say, “The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob pays no heed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/21-14.htm">Job 21:14-15</a></span><br />Yet they say to God: ‘Leave us alone! For we have no desire to know Your ways. / Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/47-10.htm">Isaiah 47:10</a></span><br />You were secure in your wickedness; you said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge led you astray; you told yourself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zephaniah/1-12.htm">Zephaniah 1:12</a></span><br />And at that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish the men settled in complacency, who say to themselves, ‘The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-4.htm">2 Peter 3:4</a></span><br />“Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-28.htm">Romans 1:28</a></span><br />Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-5.htm">2 Timothy 3:5</a></span><br />having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-45.htm">Luke 12:45-46</a></span><br />But suppose that servant says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and he begins to beat the menservants and maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk. / The master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate. Then he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-48.htm">Matthew 24:48-51</a></span><br />But suppose that servant is wicked and says in his heart, ‘My master will be away a long time.’ / And he begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. / The master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they say, How does God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?</p><p class="hdg">how</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/73-9.htm">Psalm 73:9</a></b></br> They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/10-11.htm">Psalm 10:11</a></b></br> He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see <i>it</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/94-7.htm">Psalm 94:7</a></b></br> Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard <i>it</i>.</p><p class="hdg">is there</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/44-21.htm">Psalm 44:21</a></b></br> Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/139-1.htm">Psalm 139:1-6</a></b></br> To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known <i>me</i>… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/7-2.htm">Hosea 7:2</a></b></br> And they consider not in their hearts <i>that</i> I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/73-8.htm">High</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/74-5.htm">High</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 73</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/73-1.htm">The prophet, prevailing in a temptation</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/73-2.htm">Shows the occasion thereof, the prosperity of the wicked</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/73-13.htm">The wound given thereby, diffidence</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/73-15.htm">The victory over it, knowledge of God's purpose.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/73.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/73.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The wicked say</b><br>This phrase introduces the perspective of those who are morally corrupt or ungodly. In biblical literature, "the wicked" often refers to those who live in opposition to God's laws and principles. This group is frequently depicted in the Psalms as being in conflict with the righteous. The term "wicked" is used throughout the Old Testament to describe those who reject God's authority, as seen in <a href="/psalms/1.htm">Psalm 1:1</a> and <a href="/proverbs/4-14.htm">Proverbs 4:14</a>. The context of <a href="/psalms/73.htm">Psalm 73</a> is a reflection on the apparent prosperity of the wicked, which can be a source of confusion and doubt for the faithful.<p><b>“How can God know?</b><br>This question reflects a skeptical attitude towards God's omniscience. It suggests a belief that God is either unaware or indifferent to human actions. This skepticism is a common theme in wisdom literature, where the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous are often explored. The question challenges the belief in a just and all-knowing God, similar to the doubts expressed in <a href="/job/21-14.htm">Job 21:14-15</a>. It also echoes the serpent's temptation in <a href="/genesis/3.htm">Genesis 3:1</a>, where doubt is cast on God's word and knowledge.<p><b>Does the Most High have knowledge?”</b><br>The title "Most High" is a translation of the Hebrew "El Elyon," a name for God that emphasizes His supreme authority and sovereignty over all creation. This title is used in <a href="/genesis/14-18.htm">Genesis 14:18-20</a>, where Melchizedek blesses Abram in the name of "God Most High." The question here implies a challenge to God's ability to perceive and judge human affairs. It reflects a worldview that questions divine justice and oversight, similar to the lament in <a href="/habakkuk/1-2.htm">Habakkuk 1:2-4</a>, where the prophet questions why God allows injustice to prevail. This skepticism is countered throughout scripture by affirmations of God's intimate knowledge and involvement in the world, as seen in <a href="/psalms/139.htm">Psalm 139:1-6</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/asaph.htm">Asaph</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/73.htm">Psalm 73</a>, Asaph was a prominent Levite singer and seer in David's court. He is known for his honest and heartfelt psalms that often explore the tension between the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wicked.htm">The Wicked</a></b><br>In this context, the wicked are those who live in defiance of God's laws and question His omniscience and justice. They are characterized by arrogance and a lack of fear of God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (The Most High)</a></b><br>The central figure in the psalm, God is portrayed as omniscient and sovereign, despite the doubts expressed by the wicked.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation to which Asaph belonged, often struggling with faithfulness to God amidst surrounding pagan influences.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sanctuary_of_god.htm">The Sanctuary of God</a></b><br>A place of revelation and understanding for Asaph, where he gains insight into the ultimate fate of the wicked.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_omniscience.htm">God's Omniscience</a></b><br>Despite the doubts expressed by the wicked, believers can trust in God's complete knowledge and understanding of all things. This should bring comfort and assurance to the faithful.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_folly_of_arrogance.htm">The Folly of Arrogance</a></b><br>The arrogance of the wicked in questioning God's knowledge is a warning to believers to remain humble and reverent before God, acknowledging His supreme wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_perspective.htm">The Importance of Perspective</a></b><br>Asaph's struggle and eventual understanding in the sanctuary teach us the importance of seeking God's perspective, especially when we are troubled by the apparent success of the wicked.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_justice.htm">Trust in God's Justice</a></b><br>While the wicked may seem to prosper temporarily, believers are reminded to trust in God's ultimate justice and the eventual downfall of those who defy Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_with_integrity.htm">Living with Integrity</a></b><br>In a world where the wicked question God's knowledge, believers are called to live with integrity, knowing that God sees and knows all, and will reward faithfulness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_73.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 73</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_profanity_biblical.htm">What consequences do the wicked face according to scripture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where's_proof_of_mass_confusion_by_god.htm">Psalm 55:9 calls on God to 'confuse the wicked.' Where is the historical evidence of such a miraculous mass confusion?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_psalm_52_6-7_with_evildoers'_prosperity.htm">How do we reconcile Psalm 52:6-7 with other biblical texts that show evildoers prospering instead of being mocked?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_job_16_11_suggest_god_delivers_innocents.htm">In Job 16:11, why would a just God 'deliver' the innocent to the ungodly, contradicting passages that promise divine protection?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/73.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11-14) The mutual relation of these verses has been the subject of many conflicting opinions. The following is the arrangement that seems preferable--<p>"And people say, How shall God know?<p>And does the Most High take notice of it?<p>Lo! there are wicked men, And yet, always at ease, they amass riches.<p>It is in vain then that I have kept my heart pure.<p>And washed my hands in innocence;<p>For I have been plagued every day,<p>And my punishments (come) every morning."<p>--this reflection being put into the mouth of the public who are onlookers at the career of these timeservers. But the poet immediately goes on to disclaim it for himself.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/73.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And they say, How doth God know?</span> Their wickedness breeds scepticism in them. They wish God not to know, and therefore begin to question whether he does or can know (comp. <a href="/psalms/10-4.htm">Psalm 10:4, 11, 13</a>). <span class="cmt_word">And is there knowledge in the Most High?</span> Does God concern himself at all with the things that take place on earth (comp. <a href="/psalms/94-7.htm">Psalm 94:7</a>)? IS not man too weak and contemptible to attract his attention? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/73-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The wicked say,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְֽאָמְר֗וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ā·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“How</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵיכָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·ḵāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_349.htm">Strong's 349: </a> </span><span class="str2">How?, how!, where</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_410.htm">Strong's 410: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">know?</span><br /><span class="heb">יָדַֽע־</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏa‘-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Does the Most High</span><br /><span class="heb">בְעֶלְיֽוֹן׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·‘el·yō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5945.htm">Strong's 5945: </a> </span><span class="str2">An elevation, lofty, as title, the Supreme</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have knowledge?”</span><br /><span class="heb">דֵּעָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(dê·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1844.htm">Strong's 1844: </a> </span><span class="str2">Knowledge</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/73-11.htm">Psalm 73:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/73-11.htm">Psalm 73:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/73-11.htm">Psalm 73:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/73-11.htm">Psalm 73:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/73-11.htm">Psalm 73:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/73-11.htm">Psalm 73:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/73-11.htm">Psalm 73:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/73-11.htm">Psalm 73:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/73-11.htm">Psalm 73:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/73-11.htm">Psalm 73:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/73-11.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 73:11 They say How does God know? (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/73-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 73:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 73:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/73-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 73:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 73:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>