Psalms 73:1-7

1 Truly God is good to 1Israel, to those who are 2pure in heart.
2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.
3 3For I was 4envious of the arrogant when I saw the 5prosperity of the wicked.
4 For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek.
5 They are not in trouble as others are; they are not 6stricken like the rest of mankind.
6 Therefore pride is 7their necklace; violence covers them as 8a garment.
7 Their 9eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies.

Psalms 73:1-7 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.

Cross References 9

  • 1. John 1:47
  • 2. See Psalms 24:4
  • 3. See Job 21:7
  • 4. Psalms 37:1; Proverbs 23:17
  • 5. [Psalms 37:7; Psalms 92:7; Jeremiah 12:1]
  • 6. [Isaiah 53:4]
  • 7. [Judges 8:26]
  • 8. [Psalms 109:18]
  • 9. See Job 15:27
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.