Psalms 73:13-23

13 (72-13) And I said: Then have I in vain justified my heart, and washed my hands among the innocent.
14 (72-14) And I have been scourged all the day; and my chastisement hath been in the mornings.
15 (72-15) If I said: I will speak thus; behold I should condemn the generation of thy children.
16 (72-16) I studied that I might know this thing, it is a labour in my sight:
17 (72-17) Until I go into the sanctuary of God, and understand concerning their last ends.
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.

Psalms 73:13-23 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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