Psalm 73:17-28

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 73:21-28

Behold Samson's riddle again unriddled, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong sweetness; for we have here an account of the good improvement which the psalmist made of that sore temptation with which he had been assaulted and by which he was almost overcome. He that stumbles and does not fall, by recovering himself takes so much the longer steps forward. It was so with the psalmist here; many good lessons he learned from his temptation, his struggles with it, and his... 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

Group of Brands