Bible Commentary

Psalms 73:1-28

The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 73:1-28

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The grievous conflict of the flesh and the Spirit, and the glorious conquest of the Spirit at the last.

I. THE BEGINNING OF THE PSALM. In this he ingeniously pointeth at those rocks against which he was like to have split his soul.

II. THE MIDDLE OF THE PSALM. In this he candidly confesseth his ignorance and folly to have been the chiefest foundation of his fault.

III. THE END OF THE PSALM. In this he gratefully kisseth that hand which led him out of the labyrinth.

Such is the clear and accurate summing up of the contents of this psalm by an old Puritan divine. Should any of us, unhappily, find our own portraiture in the conduct told of at the beginning, may it not be long ere the middle and the end of the psalm portray us equally well!—S.C.

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Matthew Henry on Psalms 73:1-14Psalms 73:1-14 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThe psalmist was strongly tempted to envy the prosperity of the wicked; a common temptation, which has tried the graces of many saints. But he lays down the great principle by which he resolved to abide. It is the goodn…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 73:1-28Psalms 73:1-28 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION THIS is the first of the "Psalms of Asaph," whereof the present book contains eleven. They are characterized by a preponderating use of the name "Elohim" over that of" Jehovah," by a great calmness and solemn…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 73:1Psalms 73:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryTruly God is good to Israel; i.e. verily, in spite of appearances to the contrary, which had for a time made the writer doubt. It is suggested that the triumph of Absalom may have been the circumstance that shook Asaph'…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 73:1-28Psalms 73:1-28 · The Pulpit CommentaryAsaph's trial and deliverance. Asaph was greatly tempted, as this psalm plainly shows. It does not matter whether he speaks of himself or, as is likely, of some other servant of God. Consider— I. HIS TEMPTATION. 1. It w…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 73:1-28Psalms 73:1-28 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe solution of a great problem. The question here is—Why should good men suffer, and bad men prosper, when the Law had said that God was a righteous Judge, meting out to men in this world the due recompense of their de…
commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 73:1-14The psalmist was strongly tempted to envy the prosperity of the wicked; a common temptation, which has tried the graces of many saints. But he lays down the great principle by which he resolved to abide. It is the goodn…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 73:1-28The solution of a great problem. The question here is—Why should good men suffer, and bad men prosper, when the Law had said that God was a righteous Judge, meting out to men in this world the due recompense of their de…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 73:1-28Asaph's trial and deliverance. Asaph was greatly tempted, as this psalm plainly shows. It does not matter whether he speaks of himself or, as is likely, of some other servant of God. Consider— I. HIS TEMPTATION. 1. It w…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 73:1-28EXPOSITION THIS is the first of the "Psalms of Asaph," whereof the present book contains eleven. They are characterized by a preponderating use of the name "Elohim" over that of" Jehovah," by a great calmness and solemn…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 73:1Truly God is good to Israel; i.e. verily, in spite of appearances to the contrary, which had for a time made the writer doubt. It is suggested that the triumph of Absalom may have been the circumstance that shook Asaph'…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 73:2But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. The psalmist had doubted God's goodness and righteousness, on account of the prosperity of the wicked. He feels now that his doubt had been a sin,…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 73:2Narrow escapes. "The victorious general, in the hour of triumph, has not unfrequently reason to remember how nearly, through oversight or miscalculation, he had lost the day. A little more pressure on this wing or that,…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 73:3For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked (comp. Psalms 37:1). To envy the wicked because they prosper is to make more account of the good things of this life than of God's favour—to pref…Joseph S. Exell and contributors