Psalm 10:6
New International Version
He says to himself, “Nothing will ever shake me.” He swears, “No one will ever do me harm.”

New Living Translation
They think, “Nothing bad will ever happen to us! We will be free of trouble forever!”

English Standard Version
He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved; throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.”

Berean Standard Bible
He says to himself, “I will not be moved; from age to age I am free of distress.”

King James Bible
He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.

New King James Version
He has said in his heart, “I shall not be moved; I shall never be in adversity.”

New American Standard Bible
He says to himself, “I will not be moved; Throughout the generations I will not be in adversity.”

NASB 1995
He says to himself, “I will not be moved; Throughout all generations I will not be in adversity.”

NASB 1977
He says to himself, “I shall not be moved; Throughout all generations I shall not be in adversity.”

Legacy Standard Bible
He says in his heart, “I will not be shaken; From generation to generation I will not be in adversity.”

Amplified Bible
He says to himself, “I will not be moved; For throughout all generations I will not be in adversity [for nothing bad will happen to me].”

Christian Standard Bible
He says to himself, “I will never be moved — from generation to generation I will be without calamity.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He says to himself, “I will never be moved— from generation to generation without calamity.”

American Standard Version
He saith in his heart, I shall not be moved; To all generations I shall not be in adversity.

Contemporary English Version
In their hearts they say, "Nothing can hurt us! We'll always be happy and free from trouble."

English Revised Version
He saith in his heart, I shall not be moved: to all generations I shall not be in adversity.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He says to himself, "Nothing can shake me. I'll never face any trouble."

Good News Translation
They say to themselves, "We will never fail; we will never be in trouble."

International Standard Version
They say to themselves, "We will not be moved throughout all time, and we will not experience adversity."

NET Bible
He says to himself, "I will never be upended, because I experience no calamity."

New Heart English Bible
He says in his heart, "I shall not be shaken. From generation to generation I shall not experience calamity."

Webster's Bible Translation
He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
He says to himself, “I will not be moved; from age to age I am free of distress.”

World English Bible
He says in his heart, “I shall not be shaken. For generations I shall have no trouble.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
He has said in his heart, “I am not moved, "" [And am] not in calamity to generation and generation.”

Young's Literal Translation
He hath said in his heart, 'I am not moved,' To generation and generation not in evil.

Smith's Literal Translation
Saying in his heart, I shall not be moved: to generation and generation for not in evil.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For he hath said in his heart: I shall not be moved from generation to generation, and shall be without evil.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For he has said in his heart, “I will not be disturbed: from generation to generation without evil.”

New American Bible
They say in their hearts, “We will never fall; never will we see misfortune.”

New Revised Standard Version
They think in their heart, “We shall not be moved; throughout all generations we shall not meet adversity.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He says in his heart, I shall not be moved from generation to generation; for he conceives evil.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He has said in his heart, "I shall not move for a generation of generations"; he thinks upon evil.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He saith in his heart: 'I shall not be moved, I who to all generations shall not be in adversity.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For he has said in his heart, I shall not be moved, continuing without evil from generation to generation.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Perils of the Pilgrim
5He is secure in his ways at all times; Your lofty judgments are far from him; he sneers at all his foes. 6He says to himself, “I will not be moved; from age to age I am free of distress.” 7His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue.…

Cross References
Proverbs 18:12
Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

James 4:13-16
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” / You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. / Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” ...

Isaiah 47:7-8
You said, ‘I will be queen forever.’ You did not take these things to heart or consider their outcome. / So now hear this, O lover of luxury who sits securely, who says to herself, ‘I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or know the loss of children.’

Luke 12:19-20
Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ / But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’

Revelation 18:7-8
As much as she has glorified herself and lived in luxury, give her the same measure of torment and grief. In her heart she says, ‘I sit as queen; I am not a widow and will never see grief.’ / Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and grief and famine—and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.”

Zephaniah 1:12
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.’

Job 21:14-15
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?’

1 Thessalonians 5:3
While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Isaiah 56:12
“Come, let me get the wine, let us imbibe the strong drink, and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!”

Ezekiel 28:2
“Son of man, tell the ruler of Tyre that this is what the Lord GOD says: Your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea.’ Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god.

Matthew 24:48-51
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. ...

2 Peter 3:4
“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.”

Jeremiah 48:11
Moab has been at ease from youth, settled like wine on its dregs; he has not been poured from vessel to vessel or gone into exile. So his flavor has remained the same, and his aroma is unchanged.

Daniel 4:30-31
the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” / While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: “It is decreed to you, King Nebuchadnezzar, that the kingdom has departed from you.


Treasury of Scripture

He has said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.

said

Psalm 11:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?

Psalm 14:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Matthew 24:48
But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

not

Psalm 15:5
He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

Psalm 30:6
And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.

Ecclesiastes 8:11
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

never.

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Psalm 10
1. David complains of the wicked
12. He prays for remedy
16. He professes his confidence














He says to himself
This phrase indicates a self-assured inner dialogue, reflecting the mindset of the wicked. In biblical context, self-talk often reveals the heart's true condition (Psalm 14:1). The wicked's confidence is rooted in pride and self-reliance, contrasting with the righteous who depend on God (Proverbs 3:5-6).

“I will not be moved;
This expression of confidence suggests a belief in personal invincibility. Biblically, being "moved" often refers to stability and security (Psalm 16:8). The wicked's false sense of security is a recurring theme, as seen in the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21), who also believed in his own permanence.

from age to age
This phrase implies a belief in enduring stability across generations. Historically, many ancient cultures, including those surrounding Israel, believed in the permanence of their own power and legacy. This contrasts with the biblical teaching that only God is eternal (Psalm 90:2).

I am free of distress.”
The wicked's claim of being free from trouble highlights their ignorance of divine justice. Throughout scripture, distress is often a tool used by God to bring people to repentance (Psalm 119:67). The belief in being free from distress is a delusion, as ultimate peace and security are found only in God (John 16:33).

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Wicked Man
The primary subject of this verse, representing those who live in arrogance and self-reliance, believing they are invincible and beyond accountability.

2. The Psalmist
Traditionally attributed to David, the psalmist observes and laments the behavior and mindset of the wicked.

3. God
Implicit in the text as the ultimate judge and authority, contrasting the self-assured wicked with divine justice.

4. The Oppressed
Though not directly mentioned in this verse, they are the victims of the wicked's arrogance and are central to the broader context of the psalm.

5. The Context of Distress
The broader setting of the psalm, where the wicked believe they are free from trouble, while the righteous suffer.
Teaching Points
The Folly of Arrogance
The wicked man's belief that he will "never be moved" reflects a dangerous arrogance. This mindset ignores the reality of God's sovereignty and the transient nature of human life.

The Illusion of Security
The phrase "from age to age I am free of distress" highlights the false sense of security that comes from relying on one's own strength and resources rather than on God.

God's Sovereignty and Justice
Despite the wicked's confidence, the broader biblical account assures us that God is just and will hold the arrogant accountable. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's ultimate justice.

The Call to Humility
This verse serves as a reminder for believers to cultivate humility, recognizing our dependence on God and the fleeting nature of earthly power and security.

Trust in God's Deliverance
While the wicked may seem secure, believers are called to place their trust in God's deliverance and protection, knowing that He sees and will act in His perfect timing.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Psalm 10:6?

2. How does Psalm 10:6 reveal the arrogance of the wicked?

3. What does "I will never be moved" indicate about the wicked's mindset?

4. How can believers guard against the pride described in Psalm 10:6?

5. Which other scriptures warn against the false security of the wicked?

6. How should Psalm 10:6 influence our prayers for humility and reliance on God?

7. How does Psalm 10:6 challenge the belief in divine justice and accountability?

8. Why does the psalmist describe the wicked as confident in Psalm 10:6?

9. What historical context influenced the writing of Psalm 10:6?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 10?

11. What is the meaning of "I shall not be moved"?

12. What are intrusive thoughts?

13. Why do you feel abandoned when God is with you?

14. What are the different types of prayer?
What Does Psalm 10:6 Mean
He says to himself

The psalmist lets us listen in on the inward talk of the wicked. What a person repeats in private shapes his whole outlook.

• Scripture often pulls back this curtain: “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1).

Psalm 36:1 notes, “An oracle is in my heart regarding the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.”

• Jesus illustrates the same pattern in Luke 12:16-21, where the rich fool’s silent monologue—“Soul, you have many goods laid up…”—exposes self-worship.

Those who disregard God rehearse false security until it feels unbreakable.


I will not be moved

Here is raw arrogance: “In my prosperity I said, ‘I shall never be moved’” (Psalm 30:6). The wicked mistake God’s patience for impotence.

Proverbs 10:30 counters: “The righteous will never be shaken, but the wicked will not inhabit the land.”

• Jesus contrasts foundations in Matthew 7:24-27; only those who hear and obey His words stand when storms hit.

• Paul warns believers, “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

The boast, taken literally, shows how thoroughly sin blinds; the speaker truly believes he is untouchable.


From age to age

The phrase stretches the arrogance across generations. The wicked imagine an endless dynasty of ease.

Psalm 49:11 describes them: “Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever.”

Isaiah 47:7 records Babylon’s claim, “I will be mistress forever,” right before her sudden downfall.

Ecclesiastes 8:11 observes that when judgment is delayed, “the hearts of men are fully set to do evil.”

Sin convinces people that tomorrow will mirror today, and that God’s justice has no closing date.


I am free of distress

The delusion reaches its peak: not only will trouble never uproot me, it will never even touch me.

Zephaniah 1:12 pictures complacent men who say, “The LORD will do nothing, good or bad.”

Revelation 18:7 shows end-times Babylon boasting, “I sit as queen… and will never see mourning,” moments before her ruin.

• “While people are saying, ‘Peace and security,’ destruction will come upon them suddenly” (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

The claim ignores life’s reality and God’s warnings: distress is certain for those who live in rebellion (Romans 2:5-9).


summary

Psalm 10:6 records the inner creed of the wicked: self-reliance, presumed permanence, and denial of accountability. They tell themselves they can never be moved, their comfort will stretch from age to age, and no distress will reach them. Scripture, taken at face value, exposes that creed as fantasy. All who reject God may boast now, but judgment is sure, while those who trust Him find the only true, unshakable security.

(6) I shall not.--The meaning of the verse is clear, but the construction is involved. Literally, I shall not be moved to generation and generation, which not in evil. The LXX. and Vulg. omit the relative altogether. The best rendering is, "I shall never be moved at any time: I who am without ill."

Verse 6. - He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved (comp. Psalm 30:6). The idea of continuance is instinctive in the human mind. "The thing that has been, it is that which shall be" (Ecclesiastes 1:9). We expect the sun to rise each day, solely because in the past it has always risen (see Butler's 'Analogy,' part 1. ch. 1.). The wicked man, who has always prospered, expects to prosper in the future; he has no anticipation of coming change; he supposes that his "house will continue for ever, and his dwelling-place to all generations' (Psalm 49:11); he thinks that "to-morrow will be as to-day, and much more abundant" (Isaiah 56:12). For I shall never be in adversity; rather, unto generation and generation, I am he who will be exempt from calamity. The wicked man has no thought of dying - he will be prosperous, he thinks, age after age.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He says
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to himself,
בְּ֭לִבּוֹ (bə·lib·bōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

“I shall not
בַּל־ (bal-)
Adverb
Strong's 1077: A failure, nothing, not at all, lest

be moved;
אֶמּ֑וֹט (’em·mō·wṭ)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 4131: To waver, to slip, shake, fall

from age
לְדֹ֥ר (lə·ḏōr)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1755: A revolution of time, an age, generation, a dwelling

to age
וָ֝דֹ֗ר (wā·ḏōr)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1755: A revolution of time, an age, generation, a dwelling

I am free
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

of distress.”
בְרָֽע׃ (ḇə·rā‘)
Preposition-b | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil


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OT Poetry: Psalm 10:6 He says in his heart I shall (Psalm Ps Psa.)
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