Psalm 73:17-19 NKJV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 73:15-20

We have seen what a strong temptation the psalmist was in to envy prospering profaneness; now here we are told how he kept his footing and got the victory. I. He kept up a respect for God's people, and with that he restrained himself from speaking what he had thought amiss, Ps. 73:15. He got the victory by degrees, and this was the first point he gained; he was ready to say, Verily, I have cleansed my heart in vain, and thought he had reason to say it, but he kept his mouth with this... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 73:17

Until I went into the sanctuary - Until, in the use of thy ordinances, I entered into a deep consideration of thy secret counsels, and considered the future state of the righteous and the wicked; that the unequal distribution of temporal good and evil argued a future judgment; that the present is a state of trial; and that God exercises his followers according to his godly wisdom and tender mercy. Then light sprang up in my mind, and I was assured that all these exercises were for our... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 73:18

Thou didst set them on slippery places - Affluence is a slippery path; few have ever walked in it without falling. It is possible to be faithful in the unrighteous mammon, but it is very difficult. No man should desire riches; for they bring with them so many cares and temptations as to be almost unmanageabe. Rich men, even when pious, are seldom happy; they do not enjoy the consolations of religion. A good man, possessed of very extensive estates, unblamable in his whole deportment, once... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 73:19

Are they brought into desolation - This is often a literal fact. I have known several cases where persons, very rich, have by sudden losses been brought into desolation as in a moment; in consequence of which they were utterly consumed in terrors. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 73:17

Verse 17 By the sanctuaries of God some, even among the Hebrews, understand the celestial mansions in which the spirits of the just and angels dwell; as if David had said, This was a painful thing in my sight, until I came to acknowledge in good earnest that men are not created to flourish for a short time in this world, and to luxuriate in pleasures while in it, but that their condition here is that of pilgrims, whose aspirations, during their earthly pilgrimage, should be towards heaven. I... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 73:18

Verse 18 18.Surely thou hast set them in slippery places. David, having now gone through his conflicts, begins, if we may use the expression, to be a new man; and he speaks with a quiet and composed mind, being, as it were, elevated on a watchtower, from which he obtained a clear and distinct view of things which before were hidden from him. It was the prophet Habakkuk’s resolution to take such a position, and, by his example, he prescribes this to us as a remedy in the midst of troubles — “I... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 73:19

Verse 19 19.How have they been destroyed, as it were in a moment! The language of wonder in which the Psalmist breaks forth serves much to confirm the sentiment of the preceding verse. As the consideration of the prosperity of the ungodly induces a torpor upon our minds, yea, even renders them stupid; so their destruction, being sudden and unlooked for, tends the more effectually to awaken us, each being thus constrained to inquire how such an event came to pass, which all men thought could... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 73:15-20

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

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 73:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 73:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 73:19

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 73:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 73:18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 73:19

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