Psalms 73:3-13

3 For I was envious of the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no struggles in their death, But their strength is firm.
5 They are free from burdens of men, Neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment.
7 Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.
8 They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.
9 They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the eretz.
10 Therefore their people return to them, And they drink up waters of abundance.
11 They say, "How does God know? Is there knowledge in Ha`Elyon?"
12 Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.
13 Surely in vain I have cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocence,

Psalms 73:3-13 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.

The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.