Psalms 73:18-28

18 Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction.

19 How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors.

20 As a dream when one wakes up, So, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.

21 For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.

22 I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.

23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand.

24 You will guide me with your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.

25 Who do I have in heaven? There is no one on eretz who I desire besides you.

26 My flesh and my heart fails, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

27 For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.

28 But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all your works.

Psalms 73:18-28 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.