God’s knowledge surpasses all human comprehension, and those who claim otherwise will ultimately discover how perfectly He sees and judges.
The psalmist observes that the prosperous wicked boldly question God’s awareness when “They say, ‘How does God know? And is there knowledge with the Most High?’” (v.11). Their challenge points to a skepticism that God either does not see, or does not care about, the choices and deeds of humanity. In the context of Psalm 73, the writer Asaph wrestles with this attitude, feeling momentarily unsettled by the apparent success of those who disregard the Lord. Yet, as the psalm unfolds, Asaph discovers that God’s knowledge is far deeper than human comprehension can fathom, and that those who doubt or scorn the Almighty’s judgments will ultimately face a sobering reality (Psalm 73:16-17).
The question “How does God know? And is there knowledge with the Most High?” (v.11) exposes a human inclination to doubt the omniscience of God whenever evil seems to flourish without consequence. This mirrors the broader biblical concern about the apparent triumph of injustice over righteousness (Habakkuk 1:2-4). Although the wicked scoff, Scripture consistently affirms that the Lord is indeed sovereign and all-knowing. In the New Testament, Jesus declares that our Heavenly Father sees even the smallest sparrow and counts the hairs of our head (Matthew 10:29-30), emphasizing God’s intimate awareness of every detail. Thus, Psalm 73:11 reminds believers to anchor their trust in God’s unfailing knowledge and timing, rather than in fleeting appearances.
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Psalms 73:11 meaning
The psalmist observes that the prosperous wicked boldly question God’s awareness when “They say, ‘How does God know? And is there knowledge with the Most High?’” (v.11). Their challenge points to a skepticism that God either does not see, or does not care about, the choices and deeds of humanity. In the context of Psalm 73, the writer Asaph wrestles with this attitude, feeling momentarily unsettled by the apparent success of those who disregard the Lord. Yet, as the psalm unfolds, Asaph discovers that God’s knowledge is far deeper than human comprehension can fathom, and that those who doubt or scorn the Almighty’s judgments will ultimately face a sobering reality (Psalm 73:16-17).
The question “How does God know? And is there knowledge with the Most High?” (v.11) exposes a human inclination to doubt the omniscience of God whenever evil seems to flourish without consequence. This mirrors the broader biblical concern about the apparent triumph of injustice over righteousness (Habakkuk 1:2-4). Although the wicked scoff, Scripture consistently affirms that the Lord is indeed sovereign and all-knowing. In the New Testament, Jesus declares that our Heavenly Father sees even the smallest sparrow and counts the hairs of our head (Matthew 10:29-30), emphasizing God’s intimate awareness of every detail. Thus, Psalm 73:11 reminds believers to anchor their trust in God’s unfailing knowledge and timing, rather than in fleeting appearances.