Psalm 73

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:10

Psalms 73:10. Therefore his people return hither “It seems impossible to ascertain,” says Dr. Horne, “with any degree of precision, the meaning of this verse, or to whom it relates. Some think it intends those people who resort to the company of the wicked, because they find their temporal advantage by it; while others are of opinion that the people of God are meant, who, by continually revolving in their thoughts the subject here treated of, namely, the prosperity of the wicked, are sore... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:11

Psalms 73:11. And they say Namely, the ungodly, described in the preceding verses, (verse the 10th coming in by way of parenthesis,) or the people confederate with them, or that fall back to them. For these and such like opinions and speeches are often ascribed to the carnal and wicked in Scripture, but never to any good man. Some such expressions as this were indeed charged on Job by his friends, but, although he had used many intemperate speeches, he utterly disowned such as these. How... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:12

Psalms 73:12. Behold, these are the ungodly who prosper in the world This is their condition and behaviour in it. “The temptation is now stated in its full force. As if he had said, These worthless, ungodly, blasphemous wretches, whose characters I have been delineating, these are the men who prosper in the world, who succeed in every thing they undertake, and roll in riches! What are we to think of God, his providence, and his promises?” read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:13-14

Psalms 73:13-14. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, &c. Hence I have been tempted to think, that religion is a vain and unprofitable thing; that “all my faith, my charity, and my devotion; all my watching and fastings, in short, all the labour and pains I have taken in the way of goodness, have been altogether vain and fruitless; since, while the rebellious enemies of God enjoy the world and themselves at pleasure, I, who continue his servant, am in perpetual tribulation and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:15

Psalms 73:15. If I say, I will speak thus I will give sentence for the ungodly in this manner. I should offend against the generation of thy children By grieving, discouraging, and condemning them, and by tempting them to revolt from thee and thy service. By the generation of God’s children must be understood all true believers; those who have undertaken the service of God, and entered into covenant with him; part of which covenant and profession is to believe in God’s providence; which,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:16

Psalms 73:16. When I thought to know this To find out the reason and meaning of this mysterious course of Divine Providence, it was too painful for me I found it too hard a task to attain satisfaction, as to these points, by my own meditations and reasonings. Indeed, it is a problem not to be solved by the mere light of nature; for if there were not another life after this, we could not fully reconcile the prosperity of the wicked with the justice of God. Here, then, we have “a second... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:17

Psalms 73:17. Until I went into the sanctuary of God Till I consulted with the oracle, or word of God. He alludes to the practice of those times, which was in dark and difficult cases to resort to God’s sanctuary, and the oracle in it, for satisfaction. Then understood I their end There I learned that their prosperity was short, and would quickly have an end, and that a most terrible one; that their fair morning would be followed with a black and dreadful evening, and an everlasting... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:18

Psalms 73:18. Thou didst set them in slippery places Their happiness hath no firm foundation; it is very unstable, like a man’s standing on very slippery ground. Thou castedst them down into destruction The same hand which raised them will soon cast them down into utter ruin. “Worldly prosperity,” says Dr. Horne, “is as the narrow and slippery summit of a mountain, on which, to answer the designs of his providence, God permits the wicked, during his pleasure, to take their station; till,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:19-20

Psalms 73:19-20. They are brought to desolation as in a moment Their fall is wonderful, both for its greatness, and for its suddenness. They are utterly consumed with terrors With the horrors of their own minds; or rather, with God’s judgments unexpectedly seizing upon them. As a dream when one awaketh Their happiness is like that of a dream, wherein a man seems highly pleased and transported with ravishing delights, but when he awakes he finds himself deceived and unsatisfied. O... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:21-22

Psalms 73:21-22. Thus my heart was grieved I was disturbed, so as I have expressed, with envy and indignation at the prosperity of the wicked. Hebrew, יתחמצ לבבי , jithchamets lebabi, my heart was in a ferment, or, had wrought itself up into a ferment, namely, with unbelieving thoughts, and reasonings on the above-mentioned subject. And I was pricked in my reins I was heartily and deeply wounded in my spirit. So foolish was I, and ignorant Of what I might have known and which, if I... read more

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:10

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:11

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:12

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:13-14

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:15

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:16

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:17

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:18

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:19-20

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 73:21-22

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