Psalms 73:1-8

1 A psalm of Asaf: How good God is to Isra'el, to those who are pure in heart!
2 But as for me, I lost my balance, my feet nearly slipped,
3 when I grew envious of the arrogant and saw how the wicked prosper.
4 For when their death comes, it is painless; and meanwhile, their bodies are healthy;
5 they don't have ordinary people's troubles, they aren't plagued like others.
6 So for them, pride is a necklace; and violence clothes them like a robe.
7 Their eyes peep out through folds of fat; evil thoughts overflow from their hearts.
8 They scoff and speak with malice, they loftily utter threats.

Psalms 73:1-8 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.

Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.