Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 10:6

"He saith in his heart, I shall not be moved; To all generations I shall not be in adversity." — Psalms 10:6 (ASV)

He has said in his heart - The phrase, “he has said,” means that this was his deliberate and settled character. What is here described was no sudden thing. It was not the freak of passion; it was a deliberately-formed purpose. The phrase, “in his heart,” means that he had purposed this; he had said this to himself in a spirit of self-congratulation and confidence.

I shall not be moved - That is, he was confident in his present condition, and he apprehended no changes. He had formed his plans so wisely that he believed he had nothing to fear; he feared neither sickness nor adversity; he did not dread the power of his enemies; he feared nothing even from the providence of God; and he supposed that he had laid the foundation for permanent prosperity.

This feeling of self-confidence and of security is sometimes found, to an extent that cannot be justified, in the hearts of even good people (compare the note at Job 29:18); and it is common among the wicked. See Psalms 49:11; Job 21:9.

For I shall never be in adversity - The margin reads, “unto generation and generation.” The margin expresses the correct sense.

The idea of the wicked, as expressed here, is that they and their families would continue to be prosperous, and that a permanent foundation was laid for honor and success, and for transmitting accumulated wealth and honors down to far distant times.

It is a common feeling among wicked men that they can make their titles, possessions, and rank permanent, and that nothing will occur to reduce them to the humble condition of others.

Nothing more clearly shows the pride and atheism of the heart than this, and in nothing are the anticipations and plans of human beings more signally disappointed. Compare the case of Shebna; see the note at Isaiah 22:15 and following.