Psalm 73:16-20 NASB,NASB

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:16

When I thought to know this; literally, and I meditated, that I might understand this. A process of careful thought and consideration is implied, during which the psalmist tried hard to understand the method of God's government, and to explain to himself its seeming anomalies. But he says, It was too painful for me. He did not succeed; he was baffled and perplexed, and the whole effort was a pain and a grief to him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:17

Until I went into the sanctuary of God; literally, the sanctuaries (comp. Psalms 68:35 ; Psalms 84:1 ; Psalms 132:7 ). The three subdivisions of both the tabernacle and the first temple, viz. the court, the holy place, and the holy of holies, constituted three sanctuaries. The psalmist, in his perplexity, took his doubts into the sanctuary of God, and there, "in the calmness of the sacred court" (Kay), reconsidered the hard problem. Compare Hezekiah's action with the perplexing... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:18

Surely thou didst set them up in slippery places. The wicked have at no time any sure hold on their prosperity. They are a "set in slippery places"—places from which they may easily slip and fall. Thou castedst them down to destruction. The fall often comes, even in this life. The flourishing cities of the plain are destroyed by fire from heaven; Pharaoh's land is ruined by the plagues, and his host destroyed in the Red Sea; Sennacherib's army perishes in a night; Jezebel is devoured by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:19

How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! There is something very striking in the suddenness with which the prosperity of a wicked man often collapses. Saul, Jezebel, Athaliah, Epiphanes, Herod Agrippa, are cases in point, likewise Nero, Galerius, Julian. The first and second Napoleonic empires may also be cited. They are utterly consumed with terrors; literally, they perish; they come to an end through terrors (comp. Job 18:11 ; Job 24:17 ; Job 27:20 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:20

As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. As men despise their dreams when they awake from them, so, when God "stirs up himself and awakes to judgment" ( Psalms 35:23 ), he will despise such mere semblances of humanity ( Psalms 39:6 ) as the wicked are. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:16

When I thought to know this - When I endeavored to comprehend this, or to explain it to myself. The idea is that he “thought” on the subject, or “meditated” on it with a view to be able to understand it. He did not express his opinions and feelings to others, but he dwelt on them in his own mind; not to find additional difficulties, not to confirm himself in opposition to God, and not to find new occasions for distrusting the divine government, but to understand exactly how this was. It was his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:17

Until I went into the sanctuary of God - The word “sanctuary” we now apply to a place of public worship; and, thus understood, the passage here would mean that he learned the truth on the subject only by the statements and disclosures made there in regard to the divine plans and dealings, and the results of human conduct. This interpretation makes good sense, and is in itself true, but it is not the idea in the original. The word “sanctuary” in the Old Testament, in the singular number, is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:18

Surely thou didst set them in slippery places - Not in a solid and permanent position; not where their foothold would be secure, but as on smooth and slippery rocks, where they would be liable any moment to fall into the foaming billows. However prosperous their condition may seem to be now, yet it is a condition of uncertainty and danger, from which they must soon fall into ruin. In their prosperity there is nothing of permanence or Stability; and this fact will explain the difficulty.Thou... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:19

How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! - How suddenly and unexpectedly does destruction come upon them! Nothing can be argued from their apparent prosperity, for there is no ground of security in “that,” no basis for an argument that it will continue. The end must be seen in order to form a correct estimate on the subject, and that end may soon come. Compare the notes at Job 15:20-21.They are utterly consumed with terrors - literally, “they perish; they are destroyed by terrors;”... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:20

As a dream when one awaketh - Their prosperity is like the visions of a dream; the reality is seen when one awakes. A man in a dream may imagine that he is a king; that he dwells in a palace; that he is surrounded by flatterers and courtiers; that he walks in pleasant groves, listens to the sounds of sweet music, sits down at a table loaded with the luxuries of all climes, and lies upon a bed of down. He may awake only to find that he is encompassed with poverty, or that he is on a bed of... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 73:20

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:17

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:18

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:19

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 73:20

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