Psalm 73:3

3 For I loved fervently on wicked men; seeing the peace of sinners. (For I envied the wicked; when I saw the prosperity of the sinners.)

Psalm 73:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 73:3

For I was envious at the foolish
The atheists, as in ( Psalms 14:1 ) , who deny the creation, as Arama; the wicked, as after explained, as all wicked men are, how wise soever they may be in things natural and civil, yet in religious things, in things of a spiritual nature, they have no understanding; they are proud boasters, glory in themselves, and in their outward attainments, as the word ^F4 here used signifies; the external happiness of these, their riches, health, and ease, were envied by the psalmist; see ( Psalms 37:1 ) ,

when I saw the prosperity of the wicked,
or "the peace of the wicked" {e}; with an evil eye. This was the occasion of his slip and fall, this was the temptation he was left unto for a while.

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FOOTNOTES:

F4 (Myllwhb) "in arrogantes", Gejerus; "stolide gloriosos", Michaelis; "at vain glorious fools", Ainsworth.
F5 (Mwlv) "pacem", Pagninus, Musculus, Piscator.

Psalm 73:3 In-Context

1 The psalm of Asaph. God of Israel is full good; to them that be of rightful heart. (The song of Asaph. The God of Israel is very good; to those who have an upright heart.)

2 But my feet were moved almost; my steps were shed out almost. (But my feet almost stumbled; my steps almost slipped.)

3 For I loved fervently on wicked men; seeing the peace of sinners. (For I envied the wicked; when I saw the prosperity of the sinners.)

4 For beholding is not to the death of them; and steadfastness in the sickness of them. (For it seemed that they never die; yea, they always be strong, and never get sick.)

5 They be not in travail of (other) men; and they shall not be beaten with men. (They do not have trouble, or tribulation, like other people do; and they be not beaten down like others be.)