Psalms 73:2-12

2 But I nearly missed it, missed seeing his goodness.
3 I was looking the other way, looking up to the people
4 At the top, envying the wicked who have it made,
5 Who have nothing to worry about, not a care in the whole wide world.
6 Pretentious with arrogance, they wear the latest fashions in violence,
7 Pampered and overfed, decked out in silk bows of silliness.
8 They jeer, using words to kill; they bully their way with words.
9 They're full of hot air, loudmouths disturbing the peace.
10 People actually listen to them - can you believe it? Like thirsty puppies, they lap up their words.
11 What's going on here? Is God out to lunch? Nobody's tending the store.
12 The wicked get by with everything; they have it made, piling up riches

Psalms 73:2-12 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.

Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.