3. For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.
4. The wicked through the pride of his countenance will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
When we hear the word wicked, by default we think of the most egregious acts. In fact, synonyms for wicked include sinful, evil, immoral, vile, and dark. These words come to mind for both believers and unbelievers. What separates the two is this: the believer is held to God’s definition of wicked — and His definition does not only cover the immoral or sinful acts that cause harm to others. God’s definition of wicked includes attitudes and beahviours that may not physically harm anyone, but no less contradict His ways.
In Psalm 10:3-4 the ancient Hebrew word “Rashsa” is used — which translates to wicked or evil in English. However, its use in the Psalm is not denouncing evil or immoral acts, it is denouncing a moral stance that is hostile to God’s standards. In a single word the stance is pride.
Rasha, or wicked, in God’s eyes includes more than violent or immoral acts of sin. It also includes the proud, self-centered, and boastful. And this is what Psalm 10 is directing our attention to. Throughout scripture we read how opposed to pride God is. Proverbs 16:18 warns that “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” James 4:6 “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” But why is God so opposed to pride?
Pride is what made Lucifer desire to not only be God, but be higher than God. It’s a moral posture that may begin in the mind, but dwells and grows in the heart. Proverbs 23:7 teaches us that “For as he thinketh in his heart, so he is.” When pride fills the heart there is no room for God — no room for Him to write His laws there. The prideful give credit to themselves instead of offering thanks to God who provides all we receive. King Nebuchadnezzar gave credit to himself for greatness of his kingdom, and God temporarily stripped him of his throne making him like the wild beasts to dwell amongst them. In the New Testament, Jesus openly condemned the Pharisees for their pride, even pointing out their hypocrisy — which is a common characteristic of the prideful.
The prideful tend to see themselves as being superior to others — but Jesus taught unity and mutual respect among His followers. Pride creates a spirit of criticism and judgement. Think of pride as a compound sin because it effortlessly effortlessly gives birth a sin nature. Once pride takes root, criticism, hypocrisy, superiority, and judgmental spirit become defining traits of the prideful. All of these attitudes are contrary to God and disrupt the divine harmony of love, respect, and patience our relationships are to be built upon.
Perhaps the biggest reason God absolutely hates pride is that the prideful do not consider Him. Verse 4 declares that the prideful do not seek after God, nor is God in any of their thoughts. Although countenance typically refers to one’s face or presence — in Psalm 10:4, the ancient Hebrew word used here — ap·pōw — refers to a person’s character or demeanor. The psalmist is revealing that those with a prideful disposition do not look for God, seek godly wisdom, or think on His ways.
Pride closes the heart to God’s counsel and blinds the spiritual eyes to His presence. Scripture tells us that “God opposes the proud” (James 4:6), so even if the prideful person attempts to seek God, it is unlikely he will find him — unless the prideful heart is humbled. But James 4:6 goes on to assure us that God “shows favor to the humble.” The humble heart not only seeks God but is receptive to the Holy Spirit. The humble heart is also a joy for others to be around, because its nature expresses the divine harmony that our relationships are to be built on — love, respect, and patience. A humble person treats others as equals regardless of their social standing, financial status, or physical appearance.
As children of God we are created in His image. And as followers of Christ we are called to carry ourselves as He did. This means we are to reject pride — even in our relationships, even when we are wronged — and choosing instead to walk in humility. We are God’s ambassadors on the earth, Christ’s representatives of the true Church. When we as Christians carry ourselves with humility, we become the light that attracts others to Christ. Through humility we find the strength to endure, to love, and to do all things through Christ Jesus.
Amen.