Psalms 73
Psalms 73 presents pivotal events and lessons, emphasizing themes like faith, obedience, and God’s faithful guidance.
Summary
Psalms 73 continues the story of Psalms, revealing key themes of faith, obedience, and God’s promise-keeping. This chapter illustrates the human response to divine commands, showing both trust and failure, and demonstrates God’s mercy and justice. As part of the larger narrative, it lays groundwork for understanding God’s covenant relationship with His people and points forward to the hope of redemption. Readers are encouraged to reflect on their own lives, to trust in God’s plans, and to live in faithful obedience, finding hope in His unchanging character.
Collection of songs by various authors including David (1000–500 BC). Addresses worship, lament, and praise.
Psalms 73: KJV Commentary and Summary
1 A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God [is] good to Israel, [even] to such as are of a clean heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 For I was envious at the foolish, [when] I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For [there are] no bands in their death: but their strength [is] firm.
5 They [are] not in trouble [as other] men; neither are they plagued like [other] men.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them [as] a garment.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly [concerning] oppression: they speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full [cup] are wrung out to them.
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12 Behold, these [are] the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase [in] riches.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart [in] vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend [against] the generation of thy children.
16 When I thought to know this, it [was] too painful for me;
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; [then] understood I their end.
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19 How are they [brought] into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when [one] awaketh; [so], O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22 So foolish [was] I, and ignorant: I was [as] a beast before thee.
23 Nevertheless I [am] continually with thee: thou hast holden [me] by my right hand.
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me [to] glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? and [there is] none upon earth [that] I desire beside thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] God [is] the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28 But [it is] good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
Faith, Obedience, God’s Promises, Judgment, Mercy, Hope
Psalms 73:1 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.; Psalms 73:15 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.; Psalms 73:28 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.