The Book of Psalms
Psalm 73
Psalm LXXIII · Vol. II, p. 1034
1 The psalmist, prevailing in a temptation, 2 showeth the occasion thereof, the prosperity of the wicked. 13 The wound given thereby, diffidence. 15 The victory over it, knowledge of God's purpose, in destroying of the wicked, and sustaining the righteous.
A psalm of1 Asaph.
3 Ford I was envious5 at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked:
d Job 21.7. Ps.37.1,35. Je.12.1. Ja.4.5.
5 Envious—grieved and indignant.—C.
4 Fore there are no bands in their death; but their strength is 6firm.7
6 Heb. fat.
7 'I saw the wicked live prosperously, and die peacefully. There was no appearance of great pain of body or agony of mind. They were firm and strong. This almost led me to doubt the divine sovereignty and justice.' Such is the general meaning of the writer.—P.
9 They kset their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
k Ex.5.2. Job 21.14,15. Re.13.6. Ps.10.7. Is.37.17,23.
11 And they say,2 Howo doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
2 They say—not God's people, but the oppressors—the very sentiment of Pharaoh, Ex.5.2.—C.
o ver.9. Job 22.13,14. Ps.10.11; 94.7. Ze.1.12.
13 Verilyq I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.3
q Mal.3.14. Job 9.27-31; 21.15; 34.9; 35.3, with Ps.26.6; 24.4. He.10.19-22.
3 On comparing ver. 13, 14 with 15, ver. 13, 14 are found not to be the sentiments of the speaker, but a supposition which he rejects.—C.
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, sI should offend against the generation of thy children.
s Mal.2.8. Mat.18.6,7. He.12.13.
17 Untilu I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
u Ps.77.13; 68.24; 119.98,118; 37.38.
22 Soa foolish was I, and 8ignorant:9 I was as a beast1 before thee.2
a Ps.92.6,7. Pr.30.2,3. Ec.3.18.
8 Heb. I knew not.
9 Ignorant. See this phrase explained, Is.42.19,20.—C.
1 As a beast—not in disposition, but in estimation 'counted as a sheep for the slaughter,' Ro.8.36.—C.
2 Heb. with thee.
23 Neverthelessb I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
b He.13.5. Ps.37.24,28; 16.8; 21.3,8. Jn.10.28,29. 1 Pe.1.5. Jude 24.
24 Thouc shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
c Ps.32.8; 48.14. Jn.14.3. 2 Co.5.1. 2 Ti.4.7,8.
27 For, lo, hthey that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that igo a whoring from thee.
28 But jit is good for me to draw near to God: kI have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.4
j Ps.34.8; 65.4. La.3.25,26. Ja.4.8.
k Ps.31.14; 27.14; 71.5-24. Job 35.14.
4 Could any but Messiah undertake this commission, and confidently declare his capacity of understanding and expounding 'all God's works?' Is not this he, therefore, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge?—C.
Notes
Ver. 1. Israel. Those who wrestle with God for a blessing, and will not let him go till they receive it, and, with it or in it, that new name which the Spirit of adoption alone can bestow, Ge. 22. 24-30. C.
Ver. 5. The freedom of thoughtless sinners from trouble arises from ignorance of themselves, disregard of futurity, and want of sympathy with a world lying in misery, because lying in wickedness. C.
Ver. 9. Walketh. Their tongue assails every one; none can escape its ridicule, contempt, censure, calumnies, or condemnation. C.
Ver. 10. 'His people return hither.' Therefore his (God's) people turn aside hither, to the service of these prosperous men, and waters of a full cup (of oppression) are wrung out from them in bitter tears. C.
Ver. 17. Sanctuary. This word never signifies sanctuary, in the singular, but signifies 'the secret principles of God's providential government.' C.
Ver. 18. The wicked are here referred to, and the true nature of God's dealings with them. To human appearance they were prosperous and secure but in reality their condition was one of uncertainty and danger, from which they must inevitably fall. Ultimate ruin is before them whatever may be their apparent security now. P.
Ver. 22. So foolish. The whole gospel of Christ is called foolishness by the world, and 'he that would be wise must become a fool.' The very apostles were 'fools for Christ's sake,' 1 Co. 1. 18; 3. 18; 4. 10. C.
Ver. 23. Notwithstanding this low estimation of men, I am still with thee. Here we have a distinct note that the speaker, inquirer, and expounder of providence, is no other than Christ. C.
Ver. 24. This is another mark of Christ, not a prayer for guidance and glory, but a confident announcement like that in Jn. 17. 5. C.
Reflections.—In our perplexing difficulties we ought to recur to the first principles of our most holy faith. And never should we lose the views of God's kindness to those who are washed in the blood and sanctified by the Spirit of his Son. Often the strongest believers are most violently tempted, and dragged to the very brink of death and destruction; while God, in this world, marks his enemies and friends in the most perplexing manner. The sinner often prospers to his ruin; and whom he loves he corrects and scourges for their profit. What need then have we to attend closely to his word as our rule; and amidst perplexing providences to wait till we see the end of the Lord! The worst that a good man hath is better than the prosperity of many wicked, which but brings them to everlasting ruin and hastens them into it. But whatever sad lengths the afflictions and temptations of the godly draw them, they should lead to instruction, humiliation, comfort, and holiness. When atheistical thoughts arise in our hearts, they must be carefully and quickly suppressed. We must never grieve nor stumble the children of God by representing his service as vain and unprofitable. And it is not the strongest carnal reasoning, but fellowship with God in his word and ordinances, that can illuminate a darkened soul, or disentangle from an ensnaring temptation. Great is the mercy when God relieves his children who had, by their envy and fretfulness, become their own tormentors; and that even at their worst he never ceases to attend and support them as weak infants in his family. But bright views of God and eternal things are sometimes ushered in by great darkness and trouble of mind. Holiness here and glory hereafter are closely connected. And little reason hath one, guided of God, and an heir of everlasting happiness, nay, of God himself, and a joint-heir with Christ, to envy the earthly happiness of the wicked. How insignificant other things appear when compared with the everlasting enjoyment of the Infinite All, the Redeeming Godhead! How light and easy are death and trouble when considered as our way to it! While apostates from God hasten towards endless perdition, let me therefore draw near to him, in habitual fellowship with him. Let me by faith depend on his promise, that here and hereafter my lips may be filled with his praise.