Psalm 73:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And they say, "How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?"

NIV: They say, "How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?"

NASB: They say, 'How does God know? And is there knowledge with the Most High?'

CSB: The wicked say, "How can God know? Does the Most High know everything?"

NLT: 'What does God know?' they ask. 'Does the Most High even know what’s happening?'

KJV: And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

NKJV: And they say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?”

A common reaction to unhappiness is to wonder, "does God even know what's happening?" When He doesn't intervene as we'd prefer, our habit is to question His goodness and His power. According to Asaph, those who abandon faith (Psalm 73:10) to follow the prosperous wicked (Psalm 73:1–3) also question God's knowledge of the situation. In one sense, this means questioning whether God is aware of their pain. In another, it's an expression of arrogance: that God isn't going to notice their sin.

Even today, those undergoing pain may question whether God knows or cares what is happening. That's an understandable reaction, but it's deeply flawed. This verse is purposefully ironic. It's self-defeating to address God as "the Most High" while also questioning His knowledge. God not only knows what happens to His people, He also cares. James addressed the rich, wicked farmers who abused their Christian workers; he told them, "the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts" (James 5:4). First Peter 5:7 urges us to cast all our anxieties on the God because He cares for us.

As this psalm continues, Asaph will explain why this rejection of God is ultimately wrong (Psalm 73:15–17).

Psalm 73:10–14 describes a kind of despair, to which God's people are often tempted. Scripture notes that following God's will is a surer path to success than rejecting Him (Proverbs 9:10–12), but those who do evil can sometimes prosper. When a godless, depraved person seems happy and healthy, a believer may be tempted to concluded it doesn't pay to serve God. Hurting people are especially sensitive to seeing the wicked prosper, while they suffer. That tempts them to conclude that their righteousness brought them nothing except trouble. The imagery in this section is deliberately exaggerated to enhance that contrast. In the next section, however, Asaph will indicate that this conclusion is wrong, and why (Psalm 73:15–17).

Seeing godless people thrive, even as they hatefully mock God, while believers suffer, leads many people to a crisis of faith. This was the case for Asaph. Using exaggerated imagery, he complains to the Lord that it seems as if evil people have easy lives, while godly people suffer. Further reflection reminds Asaph that sin does lead to consequences, both in this life and the next. He confesses his sins of bitterness and resolves to trust God more deeply.

This psalm is the first in a collection which corresponds to Leviticus and the overall theme of worship. Asaph, who wrote Psalm 73, confesses that seeing prosperity among wicked people brought him bitterness and envy. That nearly caused him to lose trust in God. Carefully considering God and His eternal truth led Asaph to a stronger faith. Job chapter 21, in which trial-laden Job also complains about the success of some wicked people, mentions many of the same ideas as Psalm 73.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.