Psalm 73

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:4

For there are no bands in their death - The word rendered “bands” here means properly “cords tightly drawn,” Isaiah 58:6; then, pains, pangs, torments - “as if” one were twisted or tortured with pain, as a cord is closely twisted. The word occurs only in Isaiah 58:6, and in this place. The fact which is here referred to by the psalmist, and which gave him so much uneasiness, was that which so often occurs, that when the wicked die, they do not seem to suffer in proportion to their wickedness;... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:5

They are not in trouble as other men - Margin, “In the trouble of other men.” Literally, “In the labor of man they are not;” that is, they are exempt from the common burdens and troubles of humanity, or those which pertain to man as man. There seems to be some special interposition in their favor to save them from the common calamities which come upon the race.Neither are they plagued like other men - Margin, “with.” Literally, “And with mankind they are not afflicted,” or smitten. The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:6

Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain - Therefore they are proud, haughty, imperious. They put on the ornaments and trappings of pride; their clothing and their adorning all are indicative of a proud heart. They seem to imagine that they are better than others, and that they are treated in this manner “because” they are better than others. In the original it is a single word which is rendered “compasseth about as a chain.” The word means “to adorn with a necklace or collar;” and the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:7

Their eyes stand out with fatness - As the fruit of their high living. They are not weakened and emaciated by toil and want, as other men often are. Compare the notes at Psalms 17:10.They have more than heart could wish - Margin, “they pass the thoughts of the heart.” Literally, “the imaginations or thoughts of the heart pass;” pass along; pass forth. The meaning seems to be, not that they have more than heart could desire, as in our translation - for that would not probably be true; nor, that... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:8

They are corrupt - literally, “they mock.” The word rendered “they are corrupt” never has this signification. It is the very word - מוק mûq - from which our word mock is derived, and means the same thing. The idea is that they deride religion, or mock at all that pertains to God, and to the retributions of the future world.And speak wickedly concerning oppression ... - literally, “they speak in wickedness; oppression they speak from on high.” That is, they use arrogant language; they speak in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:9

They set their mouth against the heavens - Compare Revelation 13:6. Literally, “They set their mouth in heaven,” or in the heavens. The idea is, they speak as if they were “in” the heavens; as if they were clothed with all authority; as if they were superior beings, and had a right to command the universe.And their tongue walketh through the earth - It has no limit; it is as if it roamed over all the earth. They speak without any restraint of law, or propriety; without any regard to the command... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:10

Therefore his people - Those that truly love God; the pious in the earth.Return hither - Return to this subject. In their musings - their meditations on divine things - they come back to this inquiry. The subject occupies their minds, and they recur to it as a subject which perplexes them; as a thing that is incomprehensible. They think it over again and again, and are more and more perplexed and embarrassed. The difficulties which these facts suggest about God and his government are such that... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:11

And they say - His people say. The connection demands this interpretation. The meaning is, that his people, as they return again and again to this subject Psalms 73:10, are constrained to put this question. They are compelled by these facts to start such painful inquiries about God; and distressing as the inquiries are, and as are the doubts which they involve, these thoughts will pass through their mind, even though to avoid giving needless pain to those who have no such perplexities and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:12

Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world - This is also to be understood as the language of the good man perplexed and embarrassed by the fact that the wicked are prosperous and happy. The meaning is, “Lo, these are wicked people - people of undoubted depravity; they are people who live regardless of God; and yet they are peaceful, tranquil, happy, prospered.” This was one of the facts which so much embarrassed the psalmist. If there had been any doubt about the character of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:13

Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain - That is, There is no advantage in all my efforts to become pure and holy. It does not assist me in obtaining the favor of God; and it would be just as well to live a sinful life - to indulge in the pleasures of sense - to make the world my portion. Nothing is to be gained by all my painful efforts at self-discipline; by all my endeavors to become righteous. It would have been as well for me - or better - if I had lived a life of sin like other people.... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:10

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:11

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:12

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:13

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