Psalm 73:26-28

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:1-28

Metrically, the psalm seems to fall into eight stanzas; the first and last of two verses each, the remaining six each of four verses. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:1-28

The grievous conflict of the flesh and the Spirit, and the glorious conquest of the Spirit at the last. I. THE BEGINNING OF THE PSALM . In this he ingeniously pointeth at those rocks against which he was like to have split his soul. II. THE MIDDLE OF THE PSALM . In this he candidly confesseth his ignorance and folly to have been the chiefest foundation of his fault. III. THE END OF THE PSALM . In this he gratefully kisseth that hand which led him out... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:1-28

Asaph's trial and deliverance. Asaph was greatly tempted, as this psalm plainly shows. It does not matter whether he speaks of himself or, as is likely, of some other servant of God. Consider— I. HIS TEMPTATION . 1 . It was a very terrible one. (See Psalms 73:2 , "My feet were almost gone," etc.) How honest the Bible is! It tells the whole truth about men, and good men, too. It shows them tempted, and all but overcome. 2 . It arose from his seeing " the prosperity of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:26

My flesh and my heart faileth. The meaning is, "Though my flesh and my heart fail utterly, though my whole corporeal and animal nature fade away and come to nothing, yet something in the nature of a heart—the true 'I,' consciousness, will remain, and will be upheld by God." God is the Strength of my heart, and my Portion forever. "A strong assertion of personal immortality" (Cook). "This is the mysticism of faith; we are on the verge of St. Paul's conception of the πνεῦμα , the organ of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:26

Strength in weakness. "My flesh …forever." Asaph's psalms bear no less the stamp of Divine inspiration than David's; yet their character is widely different. The Holy Spirit employs different instruments for different ends. Reading David's psalms and David's life, one is ready to say we have an epitome of all human experience. Yet Asaph shows us depths of experience into which probably David never penetrated. This psalm opens abruptly: "surely"—or, as in the margin, "yet,"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:26

The failing flesh and the strengthening God. Here is a vivid and blessed contrast. Consider— I. THE FAILING OF HEART AND FLESH here told of. 1 . Some understand this as the result of his foolish conflict with God; and here, as all who contend with God are, he was worsted and brought low. 2 . Others, as telling of his passionate desire after God, how he was "sick of love," broken down with his longing for God. 3 . Others, as telling of his heavy load of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:27

For lo, they that are far from thee shall perish. As God is the source of all life, to be "far from him" is to perish—to have this life depart from us, even if existence of any kind remains. The psalmist is vague with respect to the ultimate fate of the wicked, confident only of the continued existence, in a condition which he declares to be "good," of the righteous. Thou hast destroyed all them that go a-whoring from thee. The strong phrase here used is rare in the Psalms, occurring only... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:28

But it is good for me to draw near to God; or, "but as for me, nearness to God is my good" (Kay). Compare the well known hymn— "Nearer, my God, to thee, Nearer to thee; Even though it be a cross That raiseth me; Still all my song shall be, Nearer, my God, to thee, Nearer to thee." I have put my trust in the Lord God; literally, in the Lord Jehovah ( Adonai Jehovah )—an unusual combination. That I may declare all thy works. With the intention of ever hereafter... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:28

Drawing near to God, a good thing. The psalmist is very emphatic about it. His words imply that he is quite sure of it. Let us ask, then—Why is it so good to draw near to God? Many are the answers. I. IT IS SO BY WAY OF CONTRAST WITH WHAT HE HAD BEEN DOING —wearying himself to understand the hidden ways of God, the labyrinth of his providence. No good had come of that, but only evil. Gotthold, in his 'Emblems,' tells us of the freaks of his child. The father... read more

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