Psalms 73:25

25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you.

Psalms 73:25 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 73:25

Whom have I in heaven but thee
Which includes God the Father, Son, and Spirit; God the Father, as his only covenant God and Father; Christ as his only Mediator, Saviour, and Redeemer, Head, Husband, Advocate, and Intercessor; the Spirit as his only sanctifier, Comforter, earnest, and sealer; and is expressive of their being the one and only Lord God, the sole object of worship, trust, and confidence; his only helper and guide; and in whom his supreme happiness and glory lay; and it excludes the sun, moon, and stars, in the lower heavens, from being the object of worship and trust; and angels and glorified saints in the highest heavens: the words may be rendered, "who is for me in heaven?" F5 on my side, my protector and defender; see ( Romans 8:31 )

and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee;
or "with thee" {f}; there are many things on earth desirable, as riches, health, friends, food, raiment but not to be compared with God and Christ, and the blessed Spirit; with the love of God, the grace of Christ, and the communion of the Holy Ghost; there are none to be loved and delighted in as they, nor anything so desirable as fellowship with them: or "with thee I desire not the earth" F7; the whole world, and all things in it, are nothing in comparison of God; if a man was possessed of the whole of it, and had not interest in the Lord, he would be miserable; and if he has an interest in him, he has enough without it; for all things are his, God is all in all; wherefore he is willing to leave all, and be with him for ever: the Targum is,

``who is like unto thee, that is, mine in heaven but thee? and with thee I do not desire a companion on earth.''

See ( Psalms 89:6 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F5 (yl ym) "quis pro me?" Gejerus.
F6 (Kme) "tecum", Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version, Masculus, Gejerus.
F7 (Urab ytupx al) "nec terram totam diligo tecum", Gejerus.

Psalms 73:25 In-Context

23 Nevertheless I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me with honor.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 Indeed, those who are far from you will perish; you put an end to those who are false to you.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.