Psalms 73:16

16 When I thought to be able to know this, it was a grievous task in mine eyes;

Psalms 73:16 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 73:16

When I thought to know this
How to reconcile the prosperity of the wicked, and the afflictions of the righteous, to the perfections of God, and his wise providence in the government of the world, by the mere dint of reason, without consulting the sacred oracles, or his own and others' experience:

it was too painful for me:
too laborious and toilsome, a work he was not equal to; "hic labor, hoc opus"; see ( Ecclesiastes 8:17 ) .

Psalms 73:16 In-Context

14 For all the day have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

15 If I said, I will speak thus, behold, I should be faithless to the generation of thy children.

16 When I thought to be able to know this, it was a grievous task in mine eyes;

17 Until I went into the sanctuaries of God; [then] understood I their end.

18 Truly thou settest them in slippery places, thou castest them down in ruins.

Footnotes

• [a]. 'Labour,' 'trouble:' 'hardships,' ver. 5.