But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. The psalmist had doubted God's goodness and righteousness, on account of the prosperity of the wicked. He feels now that his doubt had been a sin, and had almost caused him to give up his confidence and trust in the Almighty. He had well nigh slipped from the rock of faith into the abyss of scepticism. read more
Narrow escapes. "The victorious general, in the hour of triumph, has not unfrequently reason to remember how nearly, through oversight or miscalculation, he had lost the day. A little more pressure on this wing or that, a trifling prolongation of the struggle, a few minutes' further delay in the arrival of reinforcements, and his proud banner had been dragged in the dust. The pilot, steering his barque safely into port, sometimes knows how, through lack of seamanship, he nearly made... read more
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked (comp. Psalms 37:1 ). To envy the wicked because they prosper is to make more account of the good things of this life than of God's favour—to prefer physical good to moral. It is also to doubt that God governs the universe by the strict rule of justice. The word translated "foolish" means rather, "vain arrogant boasters." Such the wicked commonly become when they prosper (comp. Psalms 5:5 ). read more
For there are no bands in their death; or, no sufferings ( δυσπάθειαι , Aquila; "torments," Cheyne); comp. Job 21:13 , "They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave;" and Job 21:23 , "One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet." Such deaths often happen, and are a severe trial of faith to those who have no firm conviction of the reality of a hereafter. But their strength is firm; literally, their body is plump (Cheyne). But the... read more
They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men (comp. Job 21:8-10 ). There is, no doubt, something of Oriental hyperbole in this representation, as there is in the account given by Job ( l . s.c. ), which he afterwards qualifies ( Job 27:13-23 ). But still a certain immunity from suffering does seem often to attach to the wicked man, whom God does not chasten, because chastening would be of no service to him. read more
Much ease, much peril. That is the teaching of these verses, and of innumerable Scriptures besides (see Psalms 55:19 ; Jeremiah 48:11 ). Thus— I. GOD IS EVER TEACHING US THIS TRUTH . 1 . In his Word. See also Hebrew 12, and the biographies of God's people in all ages. The history of the Church as given in Scripture abundantly reveals God's merciful law of change. 2 . By analogy. God suffers nothing to be without change. Even the rocks and hills, the solid... read more
Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; or, is as a chain about their neck (Revised Version)—makes them stiffen their neck, and hold their head aloft. Not being afflicted, they regard themselves as favourites of Heaven, and are therefore puffed up with pride, which they show in their gait and bearing. Violence covereth them as a garment. Pride and self-conceit naturally lead on to violence, which becomes so habitual to them that it seems like their ordinary apparel (comp. ... read more
Their eyes stand out with fatness. Their eyes, which gloat upon the luxuries around them, seem to stand out from their fat and bloated faces (comp. Job 15:27 ; Psalms 17:10 ). They have mere than heart could wish; literally, the imaginations of their heart overflew. The exact meaning is doubtful. read more
They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily; rather, they scoff, and speak wickedly ; of oppression do they speak from heaven ' s height; i.e. "they scoff at the righteous, and speak wickedly concerning them; they talk of the oppressive acts which they meditate, as though they were Divine beings, speaking from the heavenly height" (Cheyne). read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:1-28
The solution of a great problem. The question here is—Why should good men suffer, and bad men prosper, when the Law had said that God was a righteous Judge, meting out to men in this world the due recompense of their deeds? The course of things should perfectly reflect the righteousness of God. The psalmist struggles for a solution of this problem. The first verse contains the conclusion he had arrived at. I. HIS DANGER . Expressed in the second, thirteenth, and twenty-second... read more