1.
Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
Title. A Psalm. Hebrew. mizmor. See App-65 .
of Asaph. The second of Asaph's twelve Psalms, Psalms 50 being the first. See App-63 .
Truly, &c. = Nothing but good is God to Israel. Occurs three times in this Psalm : here, rendered "Truly"; Psalms 73:13 , "Verily"; Psalms 73:18 , "Surely". The uniform rendering would be "Only" or, "After all".
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
good. The conclusion is stated before the distraction of mind caused by occupation of heart with others is described.
Israel. This links on Book III with Book II.
2.
But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
me. Note the emphasis on this (by repetition of the first Person), which is the key to the Psalm.
almost = quickly. See note on Proverbs 5:14 .
gone = stumbled.
3.
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
foolish = arrogant, or boasters.
wicked = lawless. Hebrew. rasha'.
4.
For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
bands: or pangs. The Massorah calls attention to this Homonym ( harzuboth ) as occurring not only twice, but in two different senses. The other case is Isaiah 58:6 .
in = at.
is. Supply Ellipsis by "continues".
5.
They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
in trouble as other = in the trouble of. Used first of Joseph (Genesis 41:51 .)
like: or with.
men. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .
6.
Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
chain = necklace.
7.
Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
stand out = protrude.
They have, &c.: or The imaginations of their heart overflow.
could wish = could picture, or imagine. Hebrew. maskith. See note on Proverbs 25:11 .
8.
They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
wickedly. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .
9.
They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
the heavens . Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), for God, Who dwells there.
tongue walketh. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia.
earth. Supply the Ellipsis, by adding "[they say]". "Let His People return hither" as in Psalms 73:10 .
10.
Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
His People = God ' s people.
return = tum: i.e. follow.
hither = to us. (Spoken by the wicked.)
are = shall be.
wrung out to = drained by.
11.
And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
How . . . ? is there . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.
GOD. Hebrew El. App-4 .
MOST HIGH. Hebrew. Elyon. App-4 .
12.
Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .
ungodly = lawless. Hebrew. rasha . (No Art.)
the world = this age.
13.
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
Verily. See note on "Truly", Psalms 73:1 .
I have cleansed. This is the result of occupation with others. Distraction. Compare Structure, above.
14.
For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
every morning. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), for "continually".
15.
If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos.
offend = deal treacherously. Hebrew. bagad.
children = sons.
16.
When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
thought = pondered [it]. Compare the same word in Psalms 77:5 .
know = reconcile, or understand.
too painful for me = vexation in mine eyes.
17.
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
the sanctuary. This is the book of the Sanctuary, and nearly every Psalm in it contains some reference to it, or to the congregation who worship in it. Then. Supply "Until" by the Figure of speech Anaphora.
end = latter end, or hereafter.
18.
Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
Surely. See note on "Truly", Psalms 73:1 .
didst set = wilt set.
19.
How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
How are they = How [is it that] they are.
They are = [How is it that] they are.
20.
As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
LORD *. One of the 134 emendations of the Sopherim by which they changed Jehovah, of the primitive text, to Adonai. App-32 .
awakest = ariseth. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .
image = image of which they dreamt.
21.
Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
Thus. Compare the Structure (Psalms 73:3 )and (Psalms 73:21 ).
22.
So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
foolish = brutish.
23.
Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
Nevertheless I. Note the emphasis on Pronoun, according to the Structure, (Psalms 73:23 ) and (Psalms 73:28 ), "As for me, I".
24.
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25.
Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
Whom have I. ? This is ever the cry of God's saints. Figure of speech Erotesis. See note on Exodus 15:11 .
26.
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
strength. Hebrew zur = rock, or refuge.
27.
For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
whoring from. Supply Ellipsis ( App-6 ) thus: whoring [in departing] from. Refers (spiritually) to idolatry, or anything that takes us from God.
28.
But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
it is good for me. The Hebrew accent ( pasek ) emphasizes the Pronoun "me". Others may go "far from Thee" (Psalms 73:27 ), but "as for me, I will draw near to Thee" (Compare Psalms 73:23 ). The "good" is seen in the twofold result: (1) I find a refuge in Him; (2) I tell forth His praises.
put my trust = flee for refuge. Hebrew. hasah. App-69 .
the Lord GOD = Adonai Jehovah. App-4 .