Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 10:4

4. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance , will not seek after God : God is not in all his thoughts .

By which he scorns to stoop to God, or to own any Superior, and makes himself and his own Lusts his only Rule, and his last end, and is full of self-confidence, and a conceit of his own self-sufficiency and unchangeable Felicity, as is noted v. 6.

So called, because though Pride be properly seated in the Heart; whence it is called Pride, or loftiness of Heart, or Spirit, as Psal. 131, 1. Prov. 16. 18. Eccles. 7. 8. &c. Yet it is manifested in the Countenance, and therefore is oft described by lofty Looks, as Psal. 101. 5. and 131. 1. Prov. 6. 17. and 21. 4. and 30. 13. &c. Which possibly was done purposely to meet with the Excuses of proud Persons, who when they are charged with pride for their looks or gestures, or apparel, or the like, use to make this Apology for themselves; that pride lies in the Heart and not in these outward things.

(i. e.) Not seek, or enquire into the Mind and Will of God, to order his Life by it so as to please God, nor seek to him by Prayer for his Favour and Blessing. But the words after God, are not in the Hebrew, and it is thought by some too great Boldness to add them here. And therefore others omit it and render the Hebrew words, will not search, or consider, to wit▪ his Actions, which seems to be a more natural and easiy Supplement: he will not trouble himself to enquire whether his Actions be just or unjust, pleasing or offensive to God, but without any care or consideration rusheth into Sin, and doth whatsoever seemeth right in his own Eyes. But these and the former words are and may be, and that very agreeably to the Hebrew, thus rendered without any Supplement, The wicked through his pride (for so this Hebrew word by it self signifies, [illegible: 1 word]. 5. 16. and 10. 33.) will not seek his (i. e. Gods, which is plain both from the foregoing and following words▪ face, which is an usual phrase in Scripture, as 2. Chron. 7. 14. Psal. 24▪ 6. and 27. 8. and 105. 4. &c.

He hath no serious thoughts of, not regard unto God or his word, which ought to command him, or his Threats and Judgments, which should keep him in awe. Or, all his thoughts are there is no God, to wit, no such God as minds the Affairs of the World, and the Actions of Men, and punisheth Sinners. He was a Deist and owned a God, at least in words, but denied his Providence.

Marginal references: Or, all his thoughts are▪ There is no God.; Psal. 14. 1. & 53. 1▪