Psalm 73

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:24

Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel - With thy advice; with thy teaching. This implies two things:(a) his belief that God “would” do this, notwithstanding his folly; and(b) his purpose that God “should” be his guide now.He would no longer murmur or complain, but would entrust all to God, and allow himself to be led as God should be pleased to direct him.And afterward receive me to glory - After thou hast led me along the path of the present life in the way in which thou wouldst have me to go,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:25

whom have I in heaven but thee? - literally, “Who is to me in the heavens?” That is, There is no one there that in my love for him can be compared with thee; no one who can do for me what thou canst do; no one who can meet and satisfy the needs of my soul as thou canst; no one who can be to me what God “is” - what a God “must” be. After all my complaining and my doubts there is no one, not even in the heavens, who cant supply the place of “God,” or be to me what God is; and the warm affections... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:26

My flesh and my heart faileth - Flesh and heart here seem to refer to the whole man, body and soul; and the idea is, that his powers of body and mind failed; were spent; were exhausted. This seems to have been said in an “ideal” sense, or by anticipation. He does not mean to say that his strength then had actually failed, but he seems to have placed himself by imagination in the situation where his strength “would” be all gone - in sickness, in weakness, in sorrow, on the bed of death. He asks... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:27

For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish - All that are estranged from thee; all who are not thy friends. They will certainly be destroyed. For them there can be no hope. This is the fact which solved the difficulty of the psalmist in regard to the divine dealings with people, Psalms 73:3-7. The fact that there will be a righteous judgment, in which God will deal with people according to their deserts, made all plain. Compare Psalms 73:16-20.Thou hast destroyed - That is, Thou wilt... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:28

But it is good for me to draw near to God - That is, It is pleasant; it is profitable; it is the chief good. For myself, happiness is to be found in that alone; there I find what my nature pants for and desires. Others find, or attempt to find, happiness in other things; my happiness is found in God alone. This is the result to which the psalmist came after all his perplexity. With all his doubts and difficulties, his real desire was to be near to God; his supreme happiness was found there.I... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73

A.M. 2989. B.C. 1015. The second book of Psalms, according to the Hebrew division, ends with the last, and here begins the third book, consisting of a new collection of seventeen Psalms, most of them very disconsolate and full of sad complaints. Eleven of these, according to our translation of the titles of them, were composed by Asaph. But it must be observed, the expression, לאספ , leasaph, may either be rendered, of, or for, Asaph. And as he was the famous musician, to whom divers of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:1

Psalms 73:1. Truly, or nevertheless, &c. The beginning is abrupt, and sufficiently intimates that he had a great conflict within himself about the matter here spoken of, and that many doubts and objections were raised in his mind concerning it. But, at last, light and satisfaction broke forth upon him, like the sun from under a cloud, and overcame and silenced his scruples, in consequence of which he lays down this conclusion. God is good to Israel Though he may sometimes seem... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:2-3

Psalms 73:2-3. But as for me Yet I must acknowledge with grief and shame, concerning myself, that notwithstanding all my knowledge of this truth, and my own experience and observation of God’s dealings with me and other good men; my feet were almost gone My faith in God’s promises and providence was almost overthrown by the force of temptation; and I was almost ready to repent of my piety, Psalms 73:13, and to follow the example of ungodly men. My steps had well nigh slipped Hebrew,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:4

Psalms 73:4. For there are no bands in their death They are not violently dragged to an untimely death, either by the hand and sentence of the magistrate, which yet they deserve, or by any sudden and unexpected stroke of Divine Providence, like the fruit forced from the tree before it is ripe, but are left to hang on, till, through old age, they gently drop off themselves. Hebrew, אין חרצבות , een chartzuboth, There are no pangs, anguish, or agonies, in their death; they are not afflicted... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:5-9

Psalms 73:5-9. They are not in trouble as other men They escape even common calamities. Therefore pride compasseth them about Discovers itself on every side, in their countenances, speech, behaviour. Their eyes stand out with fatness They live in great plenty and prosperity. They are corrupt Dissolute and licentious, letting loose the reins to all manner of wickedness. And speak wickedly concerning oppression Wickedly boasting of their oppressions; either of what they have done, or... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:24

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:25

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:26

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:27

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:28

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:2-3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:5-9

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