Psalms 73:15
Psalms 73:15 in Multiple Translations
If I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children.
If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
If I had said, I will speak thus; Behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children.
If I would make clear what it is like, I would say, You are false to the generation of your children.
If I'd talked like this to others, I would have betrayed your people.
If I say, I will iudge thus, beholde the generation of thy children: I haue trespassed.
If I have said, 'I recount thus,' Lo, a generation of Thy sons I have deceived.
If I had said, “I will speak thus”, behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
Thou hast broken up the fountains and the torrents: thou hast dried up the Ethan rivers.
If I had said the things that the wicked people say, I would have been sinning against your people.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 73:15
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 73:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אִם
אָ֭מַרְתִּי
אֲסַפְּרָ֥ה
כְמ֑וֹ
הִנֵּ֤ה
ד֭וֹר
בָּנֶ֣י/ךָ
בָגָֽדְתִּי
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
אָ֭מַרְתִּי
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
אֲסַפְּרָ֥ה
çâphar
H5608
to recount
V-Piel-1cs
כְמ֑וֹ
kᵉmôw
H3644
like
Prep
הִנֵּ֤ה
hinnêh
H2009
behold
Part
ד֭וֹר
dôwr
H1755
generation
N-ms
בָּנֶ֣י/ךָ
bên
H1121
son
N-mp | Suff
בָגָֽדְתִּי
bâgad
H898
to act treacherously
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 73:15
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
אָ֭מַרְתִּי
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
אֲסַפְּרָ֥ה
çâphar
H5608
"to recount"
V-Piel-1cs
This word refers to a scribe or secretary who records or inscribes information. It is used in the Bible to describe someone who counts or enumerates things. The KJV translates it as 'scribe, tell, writer'.
Definition: v 1) to count, recount, relate 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to count (things) 1a2) to number, take account of, reckon 1b) (Niphal) to be counted, be numbered 1c) (Piel) to recount, rehearse, declare 1c1) to recount (something), rehearse 1c2) to talk 1c3) to count exactly or accurately 1d) (Pual) to be recounted, be rehearsed, be related
Usage: Occurs in 154 OT verses. KJV: commune, (ac-) count; declare, number, [phrase] penknife, reckon, scribe, shew forth, speak, talk, tell (out), writer. See also: Genesis 15:5; Esther 8:9; Psalms 2:7.
כְמ֑וֹ
kᵉmôw
H3644
"like"
Prep
This word means like or as, used to compare things. It appears in the Bible to describe similarities or to make comparisons, such as in the book of Psalms.
Definition: adv 1) like, as, the like of which conj 2) when, according as, as it were
Usage: Occurs in 126 OT verses. KJV: according to, (such) as (it were, well as), in comparison of, like (as, to, unto), thus, when, worth. See also: Genesis 19:15; Job 40:17; Psalms 29:6.
הִנֵּ֤ה
hinnêh
H2009
"behold"
Part
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Definition: behold, lo, see, if
Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.
ד֭וֹר
dôwr
H1755
"generation"
N-ms
This word refers to a period of time or a generation of people. It is used in the Bible to describe a group of people living at the same time. In the book of Psalms, it describes a generation of people who follow God.
Definition: 1) period, generation, habitation, dwelling 1a) period, age, generation (period of time) 1b) generation (those living during a period) 1c) generation (characterised by quality, condition, class of men) 1d) dwelling-place, habitation Aramaic equivalent: dar (דָּר "generation" H1859)
Usage: Occurs in 127 OT verses. KJV: age, [idiom] evermore, generation, (n-) ever, posterity. See also: Genesis 6:9; Esther 9:28; Psalms 10:6.
בָּנֶ֣י/ךָ
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
בָגָֽדְתִּי
bâgad
H898
"to act treacherously"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
To act treacherously means to be deceitful or unfaithful, as seen in Job 31:27-28, where Job denies acting treacherously. It involves covering or hiding one's true intentions, often to pillage or offend others.
Definition: 1) to act treacherously, deceitfully, deal treacherously 1a) (Qal) to act or deal treacherously, faithlessly, deceitfully, offend
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: deal deceitfully (treacherously, unfaithfully), offend, transgress(-or), (depart), treacherous (dealer, -ly, man), unfaithful(-ly, man), [idiom] very. See also: Exodus 21:8; Isaiah 24:16; Psalms 25:3.
Study Notes — Psalms 73:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 73:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 73:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 73:15
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 73:15
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 73:15
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 73:15
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 73:15
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 73:15
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 73:15
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 73:15
- Sermons on Psalms 73:15
Context — Surely God Is Good to Israel
13Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.
14For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning.
15If I had said, “I will speak this way,” then I would have betrayed Your children.
16When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight 17until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 18:6–7 | But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world for the causes of sin. These stumbling blocks must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! |
| 2 | Malachi 2:8 | But you have departed from the way, and your instruction has caused many to stumble. You have violated the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of Hosts. |
| 3 | 1 Peter 2:9 | But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. |
| 4 | Romans 14:15 | If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died. |
| 5 | Psalms 24:6 | Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face, O God of Jacob. Selah |
| 6 | Romans 14:21 | It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble. |
| 7 | Psalms 14:5 | There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is in the company of the righteous. |
| 8 | Psalms 22:30 | Posterity will serve Him; they will declare the Lord to a new generation. |
| 9 | 1 Samuel 2:24 | No, my sons; it is not a good report I hear circulating among the LORD’s people. |
| 10 | 1 Corinthians 8:11–13 | So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. By sinning against your brothers in this way and wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to stumble. |
Psalms 73:15 Summary
Psalms 73:15 means that the Psalmist realized if he spoke out of his frustration and doubt, he would be leading God's people astray, which would be very wrong. He chose not to speak in a way that would hurt others, which is an important lesson for us today (as seen in Proverbs 12:18). We should think carefully before we speak, and try to use our words to help and encourage others, not to hurt them (as Ephesians 4:29 teaches). By doing so, we can show love and care for those around us, and bring glory to God.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'betray Your children' in Psalms 73:15?
In this context, 'betray' means to lead astray or cause harm to God's people, similar to what Jesus warned against in Matthew 18:6, where it says it's better to have a millstone tied around one's neck than to cause one of God's little ones to stumble.
Why would speaking out in a certain way be considered a betrayal of God's children?
The verse suggests that speaking out of frustration or doubt, as the Psalmist was tempted to do, could lead others astray or cause them to question their faith, much like the Israelites were warned against in Deuteronomy 13:6-10, where they were told not to listen to those who would lead them away from God.
How can we apply the lesson of Psalms 73:15 to our own lives?
We can apply this lesson by being mindful of the impact our words have on others, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ, and striving to speak in a way that is encouraging and uplifting, as Ephesians 4:29 instructs, to build each other up and not tear each other down.
What can we learn from the Psalmist's decision not to speak out in a way that would betray God's children?
We can learn the importance of self-control and considering the consequences of our words, as James 1:26 warns against being deceivers if we don't control our tongues, and instead, choose to speak life and truth, as Proverbs 12:18 advises, to bring healing and not harm.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I might be tempted to speak out of frustration or doubt, and how can I guard against this?
- How can I be more mindful of the impact my words have on others, especially those who are younger or more vulnerable in the faith?
- What are some specific ways I can use my words to build up and encourage others, rather than tearing them down?
- How can I cultivate a heart of self-control and discernment, so I can speak in a way that honors God and edifies others?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 73:15
If I say, I will speak thus,.... Either as the wicked do, Psalms 73:8 or rather as he had thought in his own mind, Psalms 73:13, wherefore he kept it all to himself, and did not make known to others
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 73:15
Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. -The mental conflict which resulted in the Psalmist's mind from the anomalous prosperity of sinners. Verse 12.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 73:15
I will speak thus; I will give sentence for the ungodly in this manner. I should offend against the generation of thy children, by grieving, and discouraging, and condemning them, and by tempting them to revolt from God and godliness. But because the Hebrew verb bagad in this sense is always, so far as I have observed, construed with the preposition beth, which is not here, and is constantly put before that preposition and word which it governs, and not after, as here it is, I rather join with them who render the place thus; which is more agreeable to the words and order of the text; Behold the generation of thy children, (or, Behold, these are the generation of thy children, as appears by thy fatherly care of and indulgence and kindness to them, whilst thou dost at present seem to treat them like bastards who are more truly called thy children, dealing roughly and severely with them,) I shall (or rather, should, to wit, in speaking so) transgress, or prevaricate, speak against the truth, and against my own conscience, which assureth me that these are the haters of God, and hated and cursed by him.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 73:15
Psalms 73:15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend [against] the generation of thy children.Ver. 15. If I say I will speak thus] If I should give way to such a wicked thought, &c. Here the Spirit beginneth to get the upper hand, to gain the wind and the hill of the flesh. The Spirit would always get the better of the flesh, were it upon equal terms. But when the flesh shall get the hill, as it were, of temptation, and shall have wind to drive the smoke upon the face and eyes of the combatant, that is, to blind him, upon such a disadvantage he may seem to be overcome. Behold, I shall offend against the generation, &c.] As if they were no children, because so sharply chastened; whereas the saints are unto God as the apple of his eye, that little man in the eye, as the word signifieth. The eye is a tender part; yet when dim and dusky we apply sharp powders or waters to it, to eat out the web, pearl, or blindness, and yet love it never the less. No more doth God his children, though he apply corrosives or caustics to their flesh, if need require.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 73:15
(15) If I say . . .—Or, If, thought I, I should reason thus, I should be faithless to the generation of thy sons. Or, perhaps, if it ever occurred to my mind to speak thus, the Hebrew often using two finite verbs to express one thought. (See, e.g., Psalms 73:8; Psalms 73:19.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 73:15
Verse 15. If I say, I will speak thus] I have at last discovered that I have reasoned incorrectly; and that I have the uniform testimony of all thy children against me. From generation to generation they have testified that the Judge of all the earth does right; they have trusted in thee, and were never confounded. They also met with afflictions and sore trials, but thou didst bring them safely through all, didst sustain them in the worst, and sanctifiedst the whole to their eternal good.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 73:15
15–28. Faith triumphant in the conviction of an ultimate judgement and the consciousness of the supreme blessedness of fellowship with God.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 73:15
If I say, I will speak thus - If I should resolve to give expression to my feelings. If I should utter all that is passing in my mind and my heart.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 73:15
15. If I say, I will speak thus—That is, If I say within myself, (as Psalms 14:1,) that I will openly declare thus—make this statement. I should offend—The same cautious reserve of speech is observed, Psalms 39:1-2.
Sermons on Psalms 73:15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Gaining Control in the Classroom by Kent Hovind | In this sermon, Ken Hovind discusses the importance of being a fair and patient teacher, especially when it comes to teaching children about the word of God. He emphasizes the need |
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(Through the Bible) Matthew 18-19 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a spirit of forgiveness. He begins by sharing a parable from the Bible, where a servant owes a large debt to his ki |
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(2 Samuel) Amnon, Tamar, and Absalom by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the tragic events that unfolded in Israel when Absalom, the son of King David, sought revenge for the violation of his sister Tamar. Absalom |
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Discerning Doubtful Things by Al Whittinghill | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of Christians being identified as followers of Jesus. He highlights the significance of spending time with Jesus and allowing |
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Evangelising the Men and Women of Tomorrow - Today by Ian Paisley | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of reaching out to people and persuading them to come to Christ. He encourages the congregation to have a passion for the sou |
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(2 Kings) Jehu: Zealous, but Not Enough by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jehu from the Bible. Jehu was a man of great power and momentum, known for his zeal and authority. The people of Jezreel, recog |
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Christ's Message to the Church in Pergamos - Part 2 by Joshua Daniel | This sermon by Joshua Daniel emphasizes the importance of repentance, standing firm in faith, and avoiding accommodation of worldly practices. It highlights the need to renounce si |