This verse is similar in thought to verse 4b. The subject (unexpressed in Hebrew) is assumed still to be “the wicked man” of verses 3-9 (see 94.7-9); however, it could be the victim of verse 10 (see the similar feeling in verse 1), but no translation takes it this way (unless this is what Revised Standard Version means). It is possible to render this passage as direct address, as in Good News Translation and Revised Standard Version, or as indirect address, as follows: “The evil person thinks in his heart that God has forgotten about what he has done, that God has closed his eyes and that he will never see him.” However, if the translator prefers to understand that the victim is the subject, then the translation may be (following the Good News Translation model of verse 11) “They say to themselves, ‘God doesn’t care! … ’ ”

Thinks in his heart: see comments on verse 6a.

Has forgotten, that is, God is not concerned, he “doesn’t care” (Good News Translation); New Jerusalem Bible “is not mindful.” The figure he has hidden his face means that God has turned his face away so as not to see; Good News Translation uses an equivalent figure “has closed his eyes.” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy has “he covers his face,” which means he deliberately avoids looking at the evil deed (so New International Version).

There is no expressed object for the verb “to see” in line b; it could be the wicked man (Good News Translation “me”) or the crime (Revised Standard Version it); or else, as New Jerusalem Bible has it, “he never looks,” New English Bible “(he) has seen nothing,” Bible en français courant “he never sees anything.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .