Psalm 73

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 73:16

When I thought to know this ,.... How to reconcile the prosperity of the wicked, and the afflictions of the righteous, to the perfections of God, and his wise providence in the government of the world, by the mere dint of reason, without consulting the sacred oracles, or his own and others' experience: it was too painful for me : too laborious and toilsome, a work he was not equal to; "hic labor, hoc opus"; see Ecclesiastes 8:17 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 73:17

Until I went into the sanctuary of God ,.... The tabernacle or house of God, where the Word of God was read and explained, prayer was made, and sacrifices offered up, and where fellowship was had with the saints, and communion with God himself; which for one hour or moment is preferable to all the prosperity of the wicked, during their whole life. This shows that though the psalmist was beset with the temptation, yet not overcome; it did not so far prevail as to cause him to neglect public... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 73:18

Surely thou didst set them in slippery places ,.... In which a man cannot stand long, and without danger; and the higher they are the more dangerous, being slippery, and such are places of honour and riches. The phrase denotes the uncertainty and instability of these things, and the danger men are in who are possessed of them of falling into destruction and misery. The Targum is, "thou didst set them in darkness;' to be in slippery places, and in the dark, is very uncomfortable, unsafe,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 73:19

How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment ?.... Very suddenly, which is often the case of wicked men, who cry Peace and safety, and sudden destruction comes upon them, 1 Thessalonians 5:3 , so as in a moment were the punishment of Sodom and Gomorrah, of Pharaoh and his host, and of Korah and his company, Lamentations 4:6 , the words are expressed with admiration, as wondering at the sudden and amazing turn of things: they are utterly consumed with terrors : their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 73:20

As a dream when one awaketh ,.... So will be all the temporal felicity of wicked men, all an illusion, all a dream; when they lift up their eyes in hell, and awake in the resurrection, they will find themselves destitute of all their riches and honours, and it will be as if they had only dreamed of them, and never enjoyed them; see Job 20:6 so, "O Lord, when thou awakest"; to judgment, to take vengeance on wicked men, and vindicate his own people; and who seems sometimes to be as it were... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 73:21

Thus my heart was grieved ,.... Not with his own sins, nor with the sins of the wicked, but at their prosperity; for this is an account of himself, while under the temptation, and before he went into the sanctuary of the Lord; or when he was "leavened" F18 יתחמץ "effervesceret fermenti instar", Tigurine version; "in fermento esset", Cocceius; so Ainsworth. , with the old leaven of wickedness, and envy, and indignation; he was in a ferment, so Plautus F19 Casina, Act. 2. Sc. 5. v.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 73:22

So foolish was I ,.... To envy the prosperity of the wicked, which is of so short a continuance; to arraign the providence and perfections of God, and to conclude so hastily that there was nothing in religion: and ignorant ; or, "I knew not" F23 לא אדע "nescivi", V. L. "non cognoscebam", Pagninus, Montanus; "nec sciebam", Piscator; "non noveram", Cocceius. ; what he attempted to know, Psalm 73:16 , nor the end of the wicked, till he went into the sanctuary of the Lord; nor... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 73:23

Nevertheless, I am continually with thee ,.... Upon the heart of God, in his hands, under his eye, under his wings of protection and care, and not suffered to depart from him finally and totally; he could not be disunited and removed from him by the above temptation; nor was he left to cast off the fear of the Lord, and to forsake his worship and service; nor altogether to lose his love and affection for him, which still continued; see Psalm 73:25 , or "I shall be always with thee" F26 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 73:24

Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel ,.... Which is wise and prudent, wholesome, suitable, and seasonable, hearty, sincere, and faithful, and which is freely given, and when taken, infallibly succeeds: or "according to thy counsel" F1 בעצתך "pro consilio tuo", Michaelis. ; the determinate counsels, purposes, and will of God, which were of old faithfulness and truth; who does all things after the counsel of his own will in providence and grace: or "by thy counsel" F2 "Consilio... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 73:25

Whom have I in heaven but thee ,.... Which includes God the Father, Son, and Spirit; God the Father, as his only covenant God and Father; Christ as his only Mediator, Saviour, and Redeemer, Head, Husband, Advocate, and Intercessor; the Spirit as his only sanctifier, Comforter, earnest, and sealer; and is expressive of their being the one and only Lord God, the sole object of worship, trust, and confidence; his only helper and guide; and in whom his supreme happiness and glory lay; and it... read more

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