1 [[A Psalm H4210 of Asaph.]] H623 Truly God H430 is good H2896 to Israel, H3478 even to such as are of a clean H1249 heart. H3824
2 But as for me, my feet H7272 were almost H4592 gone; H5186 H5186 my steps H838 had well nigh H369 slipped. H8210
3 For I was envious H7065 at the foolish, H1984 when I saw H7200 the prosperity H7965 of the wicked. H7563
4 For there are no bands H2784 in their death: H4194 but their strength H193 is firm. H1277
5 They are not in trouble H5999 as other men; H582 neither are they plagued H5060 like H5973 other men. H120
6 Therefore pride H1346 compasseth them about as a chain; H6059 violence H2555 covereth H5848 them as a garment. H7897
7 Their eyes H5869 stand out H3318 with fatness: H2459 they have more H5674 than heart H3824 could wish. H4906
8 They are corrupt, H4167 and speak H1696 wickedly H7451 concerning oppression: H6233 they speak H1696 loftily. H4791
9 They set H8371 their mouth H6310 against the heavens, H8064 and their tongue H3956 walketh H1980 through the earth. H776
10 Therefore his people H5971 return H7725 H7725 hither: H1988 and waters H4325 of a full H4392 cup are wrung out H4680 to them.
11 And they say, H559 How doth God H410 know? H3045 and is there H3426 knowledge H1844 in the most High? H5945
12 Behold, these are the ungodly, H7563 who prosper H7961 in the world; H5769 they increase H7685 in riches. H2428
13 Verily I have cleansed H2135 my heart H3824 in vain, H7385 and washed H7364 my hands H3709 in innocency. H5356
14 For all the day H3117 long have I been plagued, H5060 and chastened H8433 every morning. H1242
15 If I say, H559 I will speak H5608 thus; H3644 behold, I should offend H898 against the generation H1755 of thy children. H1121
16 When I thought H2803 to know H3045 this, it was too painful H5999 for me; H5869
17 Until I went H935 into the sanctuary H4720 of God; H410 then understood H995 I their end. H319
18 Surely thou didst set H7896 them in slippery places: H2513 thou castedst them down H5307 into destruction. H4876
19 How are they brought into desolation, H8047 as in a moment! H7281 they are utterly H5486 consumed H8552 with terrors. H1091
20 As a dream H2472 when one awaketh; H6974 so, O Lord, H136 when thou awakest, H5782 thou shalt despise H959 their image. H6754
21 Thus my heart H3824 was grieved, H2556 and I was pricked H8150 in my reins. H3629
22 So foolish H1198 was I, and ignorant: H3045 I was as a beast H929 before thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually H8548 with thee: thou hast holden H270 me by my right H3225 hand. H3027
24 Thou shalt guide H5148 me with thy counsel, H6098 and afterward H310 receive H3947 me to glory. H3519
25 Whom have I in heaven H8064 but thee? and there is none upon earth H776 that I desire H2654 beside thee.
26 My flesh H7607 and my heart H3824 faileth: H3615 but God H430 is the strength H6697 of my heart, H3824 and my portion H2506 for ever. H5769
27 For, lo, they that are far H7369 from thee shall perish: H6 thou hast destroyed H6789 all them that go a whoring H2181 from thee.
28 But H589 it is good H2896 for me to draw near H7132 to God: H430 I have put H7896 my trust H4268 in the Lord H136 GOD, H3069 that I may declare H5608 all thy works. H4399
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 73
Commentary on Psalms 73 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 73
Ps 73:1-28. Of Asaph—(see Introduction). God is good to His people. For although the prosperity of the wicked, and the afflictions of the righteous, tempted the Psalmist to misgivings of God's government, yet the sudden and fearful ruin of the ungodly, seen in the light of God's revelation, reassures his heart; and, chiding himself for his folly, he is led to confide renewedly in God, and celebrate His goodness and love.
1. The abrupt announcement of the theme indicates that it is the conclusion of a perplexing mental conflict, which is then detailed (compare Jer 12:1-4).
Truly—or, "Surely it is so."
clean heart—(Ps 18:26) describes the true Israel.
2. The figures express his wavering faith, by terms denoting tottering and weakness (compare Ps 22:5; 62:3).
3-9. The prosperous wicked are insolently proud (compare Ps 5:5). They die, as well as live, free from perplexities: pride adorns them, and violence is their clothing; indeed they are inflated with unexpected success. With all this—
8. They are corrupt—or, literally, "they deride," they speak maliciously and arrogantly and invade even heaven with blasphemy (Re 13:6), and cover earth with slanders (Job 21:7-14).
10-12. Hence God's people are confounded, turned hither (or back) and thither, perplexed with doubts of God's knowledge and care, and filled with sorrow.
12. prosper in the word—literally, "secure for ever."
13, 14. The Psalmist, partaking of these troubles, is especially disturbed in view of his own case, that with all his diligent efforts for a holy life, he is still sorely tried.
15. Freed from idiomatic phrases, this verse expresses a supposition, as, "Had I thus spoken, I should," &c., intimating that he had kept his troubles to himself.
generation of thy children—Thy people (1Jo 3:1).
offend—literally, "deceive, mislead."
16, 17. Still he—
thought—literally, "studied," or, "pondered this riddle"; but in vain; it remained a toil (compare Margin), till he—
17. went into the sanctuary—to enquire (compare Ex 25:22; Ps 5:7; 27:4).
18-20. their end—future (Ps 37:37, 38), which is dismal and terribly sudden (Pr 1:27; 29:1), aggravated and hastened by terror. As one despises an unsubstantial dream, so God, waking up to judgment (Ps 7:6; 44:23), despises their vain shadow of happiness (Ps 39:6; Isa 29:7). They are thrown into ruins as a building falling to pieces (Ps 74:3).
21, 22. He confesses how—
foolish—literally, "stupid," and
ignorant—literally, "not discerning," had been his course of thought.
22. before thee—literally, "with Thee," in conduct respecting Thee.
23. Still he was with God, as a dependent beneficiary, and so kept from falling (Ps 73:2).
24. All doubts are silenced in confidence of divine guidance and future glory.
receive me to glory—literally, "take for (me) glory" (compare Ps 68:18; Eph 4:8).
25, 26. God is his only satisfying good.
26. strength—literally, "rock" (Ps 18:2).
portion—(Ps 16:5; La 3:24).
27, 28. The lot of apostates, described by a figure of frequent use (Jer 3:1, 3; Eze 23:35), is contrasted with his, who finds happiness in nearness to God (Jas 4:8), and his delightful work the declaration of His praise.