Psalms 73

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 73

1¶ A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God [is] good to Israel, [even] to such as are of a clean heart.

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

3For I was envious at the foolish, [when] I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4For [there are] no bands in their death: but their strength [is] firm.

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

6Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them [as] a garment.

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

8They are corrupt, and speak wickedly [concerning] oppression: they speak loftily.

9They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.

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

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

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

13Verily I have cleansed my heart [in] vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

14For 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.

16When I thought to know this, it [was] too painful for me;

17Until I went into the sanctuary of God; [then] understood I their end.

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

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

20As 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.

22So foolish [was] I, and ignorant: I was [as] a beast before thee.

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

24Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me [to] glory.

25Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? and [there is] none upon earth [that] I desire beside thee.

26My flesh and my heart faileth: [but] God [is] the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

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

28But [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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Asaph initially struggles with his faith, almost stumbling due to envy of the wicked's apparent prosperity and ease. However, upon entering God's sanctuary, he gains understanding of their sudden and ultimate destruction. He then reaffirms his unwavering trust in God, recognizing Him as his constant guide, strength, and eternal portion, despite his own failings.

Medium Summary

The Psalmist, Asaph, begins by acknowledging God's goodness to the pure in heart, yet confesses his own near fall from faith due to envy of the wicked's prosperity. He details their seemingly untroubled lives, their pride, violence, and their arrogant questioning of God's knowledge, leading him to feel his own righteous efforts were in vain. This internal struggle, too painful to articulate, persisted until he entered the sanctuary of God. There, Asaph understood that the wicked are set in treacherous places, destined for sudden and terrifying destruction, like a fleeting dream. Recognizing his own foolishness, he then affirms his continuous communion with God, who holds him, guides him, and will receive him to glory. Asaph concludes by declaring God as his sole desire, his unfailing strength, and his eternal portion, contrasting this with the perishing of those who stray from the Lord.

Long Summary

Psalm 73, a Psalm of Asaph, opens with the declaration of God's goodness to those of a clean heart, immediately followed by the Psalmist's confession of nearly stumbling in his faith. His doubt arose from envying the prosperity of the wicked, observing their apparent lack of trouble, their firm strength, and their freedom from common human afflictions. He notes their pervasive pride, their violent nature, and their arrogant speech, even setting their mouths against heaven and questioning God's knowledge. This observation led Asaph to lament that his own efforts to live purely seemed futile, as he felt continually plagued and chastened while the ungodly thrived and increased in riches. The internal conflict was so profound that he dared not voice his thoughts lest he offend God's children, and the problem itself was too painful to comprehend. A pivotal turning point occurred when Asaph entered the sanctuary of God. There, he received divine understanding regarding the true end of the wicked: they are placed in slippery paths and suddenly cast down into utter destruction, consumed by terrors as quickly as a dream vanishes upon waking. This revelation brought Asaph to a profound realization of his own foolishness and ignorance, likening himself to a beast before God. Despite his momentary lapse, he affirms God's constant presence, acknowledging that God continually holds his right hand and guides him with counsel. Asaph expresses his ultimate desire for God alone, both in heaven and on earth, proclaiming God as the enduring strength of his heart and his eternal portion, even as his physical being fails. The Psalm concludes with the profound truth that those who stray from God will perish, while it is good for Asaph to draw near to God, placing his trust in the Lord to declare all His works.

Core Concepts

  • Envy of the WickedThe Psalmist initially struggles with his faith by envying the apparent ease, prosperity, and lack of suffering experienced by the ungodly, leading him to question the value of his own righteousness.
  • Prosperity of the UngodlyThe chapter vividly describes the wicked as having no troubles, being strong, proud, violent, and increasing in riches, seemingly unpunished for their corrupt and blasphemous speech.
  • The Sanctuary's RevelationAsaph's understanding of the wicked's true fate is revealed only when he enters God's sanctuary, highlighting the importance of divine presence and revelation in resolving spiritual dilemmas.
  • Sudden Destruction of the WickedThe Psalm reveals that the wicked, despite their earthly success, are set in "slippery places" and face sudden, terrifying, and complete destruction, likened to a dream that vanishes.
  • God's Sustaining PresenceDespite his doubts and foolishness, Asaph recognizes that God continually holds him, guides him with counsel, and will ultimately receive him to glory, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His own.
  • God as Ultimate PortionThe Psalmist declares God as the strength of his heart and his portion forever, expressing an exclusive desire for God above all else, even as his physical and emotional strength fail.
  • Drawing Near to GodThe Psalm concludes with the affirmation that it is good to draw near to God, contrasting this with the perishing of those who are far from Him, and reinforcing the Psalmist's renewed trust and purpose to declare God's works.