Psalms 73:18-28

18 (72-18) But indeed for deceits thou hast put it to them: when they were lifted up thou hast cast them down.

19 (72-19) How are they brought to desolation? they have suddenly ceased to be: they have perished by reason of their iniquity.

20 (72-20) As the dream of them that awake, O Lord; so in thy city thou shalt bring their image to nothing.

21 (72-21) For my heart hath been inflamed, and my reins have been changed:

22 (72-22) And I am brought to nothing, and I knew not.

23 (72-23) I am become as a beast before thee: and I am always with thee.

24 (72-24) Thou hast held me by my right hand; and by thy will thou hast conducted me, and with thy glory thou hast received me.

25 (72-25) For what have I in heaven? and besides thee what do I desire upon earth?

26 (72-26) For thee my flesh and my heart hath fainted away: thou art the God of my heart, and the God that is my portion for ever.

27 (72-27) For behold they that go far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that are disloyal to thee.

28 (72-28) But it is good for me to adhere to my God, to put my hope in the Lord God: That I may declare all thy praises, in the gates of the daughter of Sion.

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.