Psalms 73:19

19 They are suddenly destroyed. They are completely swept away by terror!

Psalms 73:19 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 73:19

How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment?
&c.] Very suddenly, which is often the case of wicked men, who cry Peace and safety, and sudden destruction comes upon them, ( 1 Thessalonians 5:3 ) , so as in a moment were the punishment of Sodom and Gomorrah, of Pharaoh and his host, and of Korah and his company, ( Lamentations 4:6 ) ( Exodus 14:28 ) ( Numbers 16:21 Numbers 16:45 ) , the words are expressed with admiration, as wondering at the sudden and amazing turn of things:

they are utterly consumed with terrors:
their destruction is not only sudden, but entire; it is like the breaking in pieces of a potter's vessel; a shard of which cannot be gathered up and used, or like the casting of a millstone into the sea, which will never rise more; such will be the destruction of antichrist; see ( Revelation 2:27 ) ( 18:21 ) and this is done "with terrors"; either by terrible judgments inflicted on them from without; or with terrors inwardly seizing upon their minds and consciences; as, at the time of temporal calamities, or at death, however at judgment, when the awful sentence will be pronounced upon them; see ( Job 27:20 ) .

Psalms 73:19 In-Context

17 Only when I came into God's holy place did I [finally] understand what would happen to them.
18 You put them in slippery places and make them fall into ruin.
19 They are suddenly destroyed. They are completely swept away by terror!
20 As [someone] gets rid of a dream when he wakes up, so you, O Lord, get rid of the thought of them when you wake up.
21 When my heart was filled with bitterness and my mind was seized [with envy],
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