Psalms 73:1-11

1 God is indeed good to Israel, to those who have pure hearts.
2 But I had nearly lost confidence; my faith was almost gone
3 because I was jealous of the proud when I saw that things go well for the wicked.
4 They do not suffer pain; they are strong and healthy.
5 They do not suffer as other people do; they do not have the troubles that others have.
6 And so they wear pride like a necklace and violence like a robe;
7 their hearts pour out evil, and their minds are busy with wicked schemes.
8 They laugh at other people and speak of evil things; they are proud and make plans to oppress others.
9 They speak evil of God in heaven and give arrogant orders to everyone on earth,
10 so that even God's people turn to them and eagerly believe whatever they say.
11 They say, "God will not know; the Most High will not find out."

Psalms 73:1-11 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.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. [Some ancient translations] their hearts pour out evil; [Hebrew unclear.]
  • [b]. [Verse 10 in Hebrew is unclear.]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.