Psalms 73:1-8

1 God is truly good to Israel. He is good to those who have pure hearts.
2 But my feet had almost slipped. I had almost tripped and fallen.
3 I saw that proud and sinful people were doing well. And I began to long for what they had.
4 They don't have any troubles. Their bodies are healthy and strong.
5 They don't have the problems others have. They don't suffer as other people do.
6 Their pride is like a necklace. They put on meanness as if it were their clothes.
7 Many sins come out of their hard and stubborn hearts. There is no limit to their proud and evil thoughts.
8 They laugh at others and speak words of hatred. They are proud. They warn others about the harm they can do to them.

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.

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