Pride as the Barrier to Seeking God's Face

The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God (Psalm 10:4). The psalmist presents a full-length portrait of the unawakened sinner, drawn by the unerring pencil of truth. Two features compose this portrait: an unwillingness to seek God, and the pride that produces that refusal.

The wicked will not seek God because they obstinately refuse—unless subdued by Divine grace. This refusal operates on four levels. First, they will not seek knowledge of God, neither praying for understanding nor improving opportunities to acquire it. Second, they will not seek God's favor, remaining ignorant of their entire dependence upon Him for happiness. Third, they will not seek conformity to His likeness, lacking either desire for His approbation or admiration of His character. Fourth, they will not seek communion with God, which requires resemblance and participation in His nature and views.

Pride is the root cause. It consists in an unduly exalted opinion of oneself, rendering God disagreeable to contemplate and knowledge of Him undesirable. Pride is impatient of rivals, hates superiors, and cannot endure a master. It refuses instruction as stubbornly as it refuses submission. Pride renders the wicked unwilling to study Scripture properly or to employ the very means through which knowledge of God is acquired. Thus the proud soul erects a fortress against Adonai's truth, preferring the diminishment of self-worship to the elevation of divine communion.