Psalms 73:15-25

15 If I had said, "I will continue to talk like that," I would have betrayed God's people.
16 But when I tried to understand this, it was too difficult for me.
17 Only when I came into God's holy place did I [finally] understand what would happen to them.
18 You put them in slippery places and make them fall into ruin.
19 They are suddenly destroyed. They are completely swept away by terror!
20 As [someone] gets rid of a dream when he wakes up, so you, O Lord, get rid of the thought of them when you wake up.
21 When my heart was filled with bitterness and my mind was seized [with envy],
22 I was stupid, and I did not understand. I was like a dumb animal in your presence.
23 Yet, I am always with you. You hold on to my right hand.
24 With your advice you guide me, and in the end you will take me to glory.
25 As long as I have you, I don't need anyone else in heaven or on earth.

Psalms 73:15-25 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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