THE *BOOK OF
PSALMS.

Psalm 73

1The Psalmist sheweth that his faith had almost failed him on seeing the prosperity of the wicked; 15but that, unwilling to give up the cause of goodness, he had at length discovered their fearful end: 23his trust in God's present support and future favour: 27he concludeth it best to adhere to God.


0A Psalm of 1Asaph.

1 See Psalm 50 in the title.

1TRULY2 God is good to Israel, even 3to such as are of a clean heart.

2 Or, yet, however, nevertheless, assuredly. With these words the prophet breaks out after he had overcome a heavy inward combat and temptation by reason of the wicked’s temporal prosperity. Compare Psalm 62:1.

3 That is, to the true Israelites, not such as are without sin (Prov. 20:9), but such as do serve God with an upright faith and godliness unfeigned. See John 1:48; Acts 15:9; Rom. 9:6, 8; 1 John 3:3.

2But as for me, 4my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

4 Other, I was almost turned aside with my feet.

3Fora I was envious at the 5foolish, when I saw the 6prosperity of the wicked.

a Job 21:7, etc.; Psalm 37:1; Jer. 12:1, 2.

5 See of the Hebrew word Psalm 5 on verse 5.

6 That is, temporal welfare and prosperity.

4For there are no 7bands 8in their death: but their strength is 9firm.

7 Or, knots; that is, they have no vexations of sicknesses and bodily infirmities, whereby a man, as it were, is bound and hindered from doing his conduct in life. Some hold it to be a similitude taken from the courser sort of yarn, which, in weaving, runs smooth and without any breaks, so that one need not bind or knit them together again. In like manner the life of the wicked passes on smoothly, without any great difficulties, adversity or impediment.

8 Other, until their death, that is, they die an easy, gentle death. See Job 21:13.

9 That is, they are healthy and lively (see Job 21:23 24). Hebr. fat, healthy. Other, their portal is strong.

5They are not in trouble as other 10men; neither are they plagued like other men.

10 Hebr. in the trouble of man, and so again presently. Here two words are used one after another enosh and adam, (both signifying man), whereof the former has regard to the mortality and wretchedness of man, the other to the origin of the body: of the earth.

6Therefore pride 11compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a 12garment.

11 For the words compasseth them about as a chain there is one Hebrew word signifying as much as one would say: chain them, that is, instead of a chain to them, is hanging about them like an ornament, a golden collar; or, they are hung roundabout with pride, even as a chain goes round about the neck.

12 Or, state apparel. The Hebrew word is used in Prov. 7:10 for the garment of an adulteress, and seems to have its designation from fitting, or fitting well and comely to the body. So the wicked brave it with violence and oppression, as if it were their gallantry and ornament. See the contrary in Job 29:14.

7Their eyes 13stand out with fatness: they 14have more than heart could wish.

13 Hebr. goeth forth, namely, each eye. Compare Job 15:27.

14 That is, it fares better with them than they could have imagined; or, the imaginations of their heart proceed, or, they practice more mischief than anyone’s heart could imagine. Compare Jer. 5:28.

8They are 15corrupt, and speak 16wickedly concerning oppression: they speak 17loftily.

15 Or, consume, waste or melt men by all manner of oppression and insolence, as the following words declare. The Hebrew word is found nowhere thus but here, and therefore diversely rendered.

16 Hebr. in or with evil or malice.

17 Speaking everywhere conceitedly, accepting no contradiction from anyone. Compare Psalm 12:4.

918They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

18 That is, they speak and rail fearlessly against God and all Divine things, as well as against men. Compare Rev. 13:6. Likewise the word heavens is understood as God. Dan. 4:26: Luke 15:18

10Therefore 19his people return hither: and waters of a full 20cup are wrung out to them.

19 Namely, God’s people, of whom is spoken here in the first verse of this psalm and in the sequel. The sense is: that the godly, considering their great crosses on the one and the prosperity of the wicked on the other side, they are troubled with these thoughts: if God would indeed be observant of human matters.

20 Or, basin; that is, afflictions being in such abundant manner measured out unto them, as if one squeezed or wrung out water out of something that is full of moisture into a basin or beaker. See 2 Sam. 22 on verse 17; Psalm 11 on verse 6; or, by waters may be here understood tears by comparing Psalm 42:3 and 80:5; as if the prophet had said: a cup of tears.

11And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?

12Behold, these are the ungodly, who 21prosper in the world; they increase in 22riches.

21 Hebr. they are the quiet or peaceful of the world or of the age or eternity; that is, those who enjoy peace (compare John 14:27) or the success of this world, or, who are at rest and possessed ease and prosperity all their life time and live in all security. Of this use of the word (eternity), see Deut. 15 on verse 17, and compare with this complaint Jer. 12:1, 2.

22 That is, wealth, as Deut. 8:17, 18; Ruth 2:1; 2 Kings 5:1.

1323Verily I have cleansed my 24heart in vain, and washed my 25hands in innocency.

23 The words of the prophet in his struggle.

24 See on verse 1.

25 See Psalm 26 on verse 6.

14For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened 26every morning.

26 Hebr. in the morning hours, that is, every morning, or very early still. So Job 7:18; Psalm 101:8; Isa. 33:2; Lam. 3:23.

15If I 27say, I will speak 28thus; behold, I should offend against the 29generation of thy children.

27 This may be taken for thinking or saying with one self, as it is frequently used.

28 That is, I shall give way to this temptation to prevail over me so that I yield to my flesh, and openly henceforth pronounce the godly condemned and praise the ungodly.

29 That is, to all the godly in general, Thy entire church, also called the generation of the righteous, or the righteous generation, Psalm 14:5. Implying that he would greatly wrong the church of God and greatly trespass against both them and God Himself, by condemning them, by reason of their affliction. Of the Hebrew word, rendered generation, see Psalm 12 on verse 7.

16When I thought to know this, it was too painfulb for 30me;

b laborious, difficult

30 That is, this matter about the cross of the godly and the happiness of the wicked seemed too difficult for my comprehension. I was not able to resolve it within me. See Job 18 on verse 3.

17Until I went into the 31sanctuary of God; then understood I their 32end.

31 Understand the Word of God and the place where God’s people assemble together and (where) His Word is discussed, taught and searched.

32 Hebr. hindermost, last, utmost, that is, how it fares with the wicked at their latter end, as Deut. 32:20, 29, etc.

18Surely thou didst set them in 33slippery places: thou castedst them down into 34destruction.

33 A similitude taken from slippery ways, on which there is no sure footing and one may easily get a fall.

34 Or, vexations. Properly, such as fall out with a great deal of noise and impetuosity.

19How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

20As a 35dream when one 36awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt 37despise their image.

35 That is, all their happiness, prosperity, ease and pleasure vanish suddenly as a dream to one who has awakened. See Job 20:8, 9; Isa. 29:7, 8.

36 That is, Thou dost prepare to punish them, when as before Thou didst seem to sleep, and not to see their wickedness. So Psalm 35:23, etc. Other, when thou awakenest them, namely, at the last day.

37 That is, all their fading and transitory prosperity, luster and glory. Compare Psalm 39:6; 1 Cor. 7:31. This may also have regard to the everlasting contempt of the wicked, which they are to suffer, after the resurrection from the dead. See Dan. 12:2.

21Thus my heart was 38grieved, and I was pricked in my 39reins.

38 Or, swelled up, like leaven; as the word properly implies in the Hebrew; that is, when I was thus disquieted, vexed and angered with the prosperity of the wicked.

39 That is, mightily provoked to passion, or, when my passions were most sharp and vehement. See Job 19 on verse 27.

22So 40foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a 41beast before thee.

40 Like unto brute animals. See Psalm 49 on verse 10.

41 That is, very brutish or beastly. Hebr. behemoth, that is, beasts. This word is used in Job 40:15, as some perceive, of the elephant. The sense is: I might justly be accounted as brutish and beastly by Thee as are the beasts themselves.

23Nevertheless I am continually 42with thee: thou hast holden me by my 43right hand.

42 That is, cleave close unto Thee and rest satisfied with Thy wise and holy government.

43 That is, preserved and supported me in my senselessness, that I turned not aside. See verse 2.

24Thou shalt guide me with thy 44counsel, and afterward receive me to 45glory.

44 That is, by Thy Word and Holy Spirit, together with Thy Fatherly providence and government.

45 Compare this kind of speaking with 1 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 2:10. Likewise 1 Thes. 4:17.

2546Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I 47desire beside thee.

46 Or, who is there for me, namely, besides thee; which words, being expressed in the sequel, are likewise to be applied to this antecedent. He wants to say, that he had none in heaven to call upon and trust unto but God.

47 To rest satisfied therein or to rely upon it. The prophet wants to say that God was his only and chiefest Good, Which having once obtained, he had all his heart’s desire fulfilled.

26My 48flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the 49strength of my heart, and my 50portion for ever.

48 That is, body and soul, as Psalm 84:2.

49 That is, He in Whom my heart trusts, as my Strength and Refuge. See Deut. 32 on verse 4.

50 Compare Psalm 16 on verse 5; Psalm 16 on verse 6.

27For, lo, they that are 51far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring 52from thee.

51 Who have no communion with Thee, or keep themselves far from Thee.

52 That is, committing spiritual whoredom or adultery, and rather having something else than Thee. See Lev. 17 on verse 7.

28But it is good for me to draw 53near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

53 Hebr. nearness, or drawing near approaching of God, that is, unto God, as Isa. 58:2.