Psalms 73:1-6

BOOK III

1

(Psalms 73–89)

1

Psalm 73

1

A psalm of Asaph.

1 Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are have a pure heart.
2 But me? My feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped
3 because I envied the arrogant; I observed how the wicked are well off:
4 They suffer no pain; their bodies are fit and strong.
5 They are never in trouble; they aren't weighed down like other people.
6 That's why they wear arrogance like a necklace, why violence covers them like clothes.

Psalms 73:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 73

\\<>\\. It seems by the title that Asaph was the penman of this psalm, as it is certain that he was a composer of psalms and hymns; see 2Ch 29:30, though it may be rendered, "a psalm for Asaph", or "unto Asaph" {a}; and might have David for its author, as some think, who, having penned it, sent it to Asaph, to be made use of by him in public service; see 1Ch 16:7, and so the Targum paraphrases it, ``a song by the hands of Asaph;'' the occasion of it was a temptation the psalmist fell into, through the prosperity of the wicked, and the afflictions of the righteous, to think there was nothing in religion, that it was a vain and useless thing; under which he continued until he went into the house of God, and was taught better; when he acknowledged his stupidity and folly, and penned this psalm, to prevent others falling into the same snare, and to set forth the goodness of God to his people, with which it begins.

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