Psalm 73

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:18

Surely thou didst set them up in slippery places. The wicked have at no time any sure hold on their prosperity. They are a "set in slippery places"—places from which they may easily slip and fall. Thou castedst them down to destruction. The fall often comes, even in this life. The flourishing cities of the plain are destroyed by fire from heaven; Pharaoh's land is ruined by the plagues, and his host destroyed in the Red Sea; Sennacherib's army perishes in a night; Jezebel is devoured by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:19

How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! There is something very striking in the suddenness with which the prosperity of a wicked man often collapses. Saul, Jezebel, Athaliah, Epiphanes, Herod Agrippa, are cases in point, likewise Nero, Galerius, Julian. The first and second Napoleonic empires may also be cited. They are utterly consumed with terrors; literally, they perish; they come to an end through terrors (comp. Job 18:11 ; Job 24:17 ; Job 27:20 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:20

As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. As men despise their dreams when they awake from them, so, when God "stirs up himself and awakes to judgment" ( Psalms 35:23 ), he will despise such mere semblances of humanity ( Psalms 39:6 ) as the wicked are. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:21

Thus my heart was grieved; literally, for my heart was grieved, or "was soured." The "for" refers to a suppressed phrase of self-condemnation, "But at the time I did not see all this—the solution did not present itself to me." I was too full of grief and bitterness to consider the matter calmly and dispassionately. And I was pricked in my reins; i.e. "a pang of passionate discontent had pierced my inmost being" (Cheyne). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:22

So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. I had no more intelligence than the brute beasts; I was wholly unable to reason aright (comp. Psalms 32:9 ; Psalms 92:7 ; Proverbs 30:2 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:23

Nevertheless I am continually with thee; i.e. "nevertheless, I have not fallen away, but have kept always my hold upon thee;" and, on thy part, thou hast holden me by my right hand; i.e. thou hast upheld me and prevented me from slipping (comp. Psalms 18:35 ; Psalms 89:21 ; Psalms 119:117 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:24

Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel . The psalmist expresses full confidence in God's continual guidance through all life's dangers and difficulties, notwithstanding his own shortcomings and" foolishness." He then looks beyond this life, and exclaims, And afterward (thou wilt) receive me to glory. Even Professor Cheyne sees m this the story of Enoch spiritualized." "Walking with God," he says, "is followed by a reception with glory, or into glory; and he compares the passage with ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:24

Divine guidance. "Thou shalt guide," etc. Asaph looked out on the world of human life, and beheld a sight which troubled and perplexed him, as it has troubled and perplexed many a pious heart since. He saw the wealthy sinner clothed in purple and fine linen, and faring sumptuously; godless, yet prosperous; adding field to field; spending in selfish luxury what he gained by fraud and extortion; and at last dying in peaceful old age, and laid in a splendid sepulchre. And he saw the devout,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:25

Whom have I in heaven but thee? Who is there in all the host of heaven on whom I can place any reliance, excepting thee? None of thy "holy ones," neither angel nor archangel, can afford me any support or sustenance, preserve or guide or save me, but THOU only (comp. Job 5:1 ). And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. Much less can earth supply me with a substitute for God. On him my heart's affections are centred (comp. Psalms 63:1 , "My soul thirsteth top thee, my... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:25

Supreme delight in God. "It is not— What have I, but— Whom ? Things, however many, rich, glorious, beautiful, cannot satisfy the soul, neither in heaven any more than on earth." Not in things, but in persons, the personal soul must find its portion. And not in many, but in One; to whom the soul can look, to whom at all times it can come, and to whom, as here, it can lift up its cry, "Thou art the Strength of my heart, and my Portion forever." But— I. SUCH DELIGHT IN GOD ... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:20

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:22

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:24

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:24

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:25

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:25

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