Psalms 73:7
Psalms 73:7 in Multiple Translations
From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.
Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
Their eyes stand out with fatness: They have more than heart could wish.
Their eyes are bursting with fat; they have more than their heart's desire.
Their eyes bulge out because they're so fat; their minds are full of selfish vanity.
Their eyes stande out for fatnesse: they haue more then heart can wish.
Their eye hath come out from fat. The imaginations of the heart transgressed;
Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.
Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
They have set fire to thy sanctuary: they have defiled the dwelling place of thy name on the earth.
From their inner beings they ◄pour out/do► evil deeds, and they are always thinking about more evil things to do.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 73:7
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 73:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יָ֭צָא
מֵ/חֵ֣לֶב
עֵינֵ֑/מוֹ
עָ֝בְר֗וּ
מַשְׂכִּיּ֥וֹת
לֵבָֽב
יָ֭צָא
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
מֵ/חֵ֣לֶב
cheleb
H2459
fat
Prep | N-ms
עֵינֵ֑/מוֹ
ʻayin
H5869
eye
N-cd | Suff
עָ֝בְר֗וּ
ʻâbar
H5674
to pass
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
מַשְׂכִּיּ֥וֹת
maskîyth
H4906
figure
N-fp
לֵבָֽב
lêbâb
H3824
heart
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 73:7
יָ֭צָא
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
מֵ/חֵ֣לֶב
cheleb
H2459
"fat"
Prep | N-ms
In the Bible, cheleb refers to fat, whether literal or figurative, representing the richest or best part of something. It can describe the choicest products of the land or the best of human or animal fat. This term is used to convey abundance and richness.
Definition: 1) fat 1a) fat (of humans) 1b) fat (of beasts) 1c) choicest, best part, abundance (of products of the land)
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] best, fat(-ness), [idiom] finest, grease, marrow. See also: Genesis 4:4; Leviticus 9:24; Psalms 17:10.
עֵינֵ֑/מוֹ
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
N-cd | Suff
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
עָ֝בְר֗וּ
ʻâbar
H5674
"to pass"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This verb can mean to cross over or transition from one thing to another, and is sometimes used to describe being arrogant or crossing a boundary.
Definition: 1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over 1a2) to pass beyond 1a3) to pass through, traverse 1a3a) passers-through (participle) 1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant) 1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by 1a4a) passer-by (participle) 1a4b) to be past, be over 1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance 1a6) to pass away 1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory) 1a6b) to vanish 1a6c) to perish, cease to exist 1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree) 1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands 1b) (Niphal) to be crossed 1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to pass over, cause to bring over, cause to cross over, make over to, dedicate, devote 1d2) to cause to pass through 1d3) to cause to pass by or beyond or under, let pass by 1d4) to cause to pass away, cause to take away 1e) (Hithpael) to pass over
Usage: Occurs in 493 OT verses. KJV: alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath. See also: Genesis 8:1; Deuteronomy 27:2; 1 Samuel 25:19.
מַשְׂכִּיּ֥וֹת
maskîyth
H4906
"figure"
N-fp
Maskith means a carved figure or image, often referring to idols or pictures. It can also describe imagination or conceit, as in a person's thoughts or ideas. This word appears in various forms in the Bible.
Definition: 1) show-piece, figure, imagination, image, idol, picture 1a) show-piece, carved figure (of idols) 1b) imagination, conceit
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: conceit, image(-ry), picture, [idiom] wish. See also: Leviticus 26:1; Proverbs 18:11; Psalms 73:7.
לֵבָֽב
lêbâb
H3824
"heart"
N-ms
The heart is the innermost part of a person, including their mind, will, and emotions. In the book of Psalms, David talks about his heart being heavy with sorrow, while in the book of Proverbs, it discusses the importance of guarding one's heart.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage Aramaic equivalent: le.vav (לְבַב "heart" H3825)
Usage: Occurs in 230 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] bethink themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ((faint), (tender-) heart(-ed), midst, mind, [idiom] unawares, understanding. See also: Genesis 20:5; 1 Chronicles 17:2; Psalms 4:5.
Study Notes — Psalms 73:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 73:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 73:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 73:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 73:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 73:7
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 73:7
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 73:7
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 73:7
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 73:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 73:7
- Sermons on Psalms 73:7
Context — Surely God Is Good to Israel
5They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men.
6Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.
7From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.
8They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. 9They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 5:28 | They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy. |
| 2 | Psalms 17:10 | They have closed their callous hearts; their mouths speak with arrogance. |
| 3 | Job 15:27 | Though his face is covered with fat and his waistline bulges with flesh, |
| 4 | Psalms 73:12 | Behold, these are the wicked— always carefree as they increase their wealth. |
| 5 | Isaiah 3:9 | The expression on their faces testifies against them, and like Sodom they flaunt their sin; they do not conceal it. Woe to them, for they have brought disaster upon themselves. |
| 6 | Luke 12:16–19 | Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and will build bigger ones, and there I will store up all my grain and my goods. Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ |
| 7 | Psalms 119:70 | Their hearts are hard and callous, but I delight in Your law. |
| 8 | 1 Samuel 25:2 | Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. He was a very wealthy man with a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. |
| 9 | Ezekiel 16:49 | Now this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed, and complacent; they did not help the poor and needy. |
| 10 | 1 Samuel 25:36 | When Abigail returned to Nabal, there he was in the house, holding a feast fit for a king, in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until morning light. |
Psalms 73:7 Summary
Psalms 73:7 tells us that when people are very wealthy and prosperous, they can start to do very wrong and sinful things. Their wealth and power can go to their heads, and they can start to think they are above the law, similar to what we see in Proverbs 28:20. This is a warning to all of us to be careful with the blessings God gives us, and to always remember that true prosperity comes from a right relationship with Him (1 Timothy 6:10, Deuteronomy 8:10-14). By prioritizing a heart of gratitude and humility, we can avoid falling into the same trap as the wicked in Psalms 73:7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is meant by 'their prosperity proceeds iniquity' in Psalms 73:7?
This phrase suggests that the wealthy and prosperous often use their riches as a means to indulge in sinful and wicked behaviors, as seen in Psalms 73:7. This is also echoed in Proverbs 28:20, which warns against the dangers of ill-gotten wealth.
How do the 'imaginations of their hearts run wild'?
This phrase indicates that the wicked and prosperous are controlled by their own sinful desires and fantasies, unbridled by any sense of morality or conscience, similar to what is described in Romans 1:21-25.
Is it true that wealth always leads to sin?
While wealth can often lead to sin, as seen in Psalms 73:7, it is not necessarily the case that all wealthy individuals will succumb to iniquity. As 1 Timothy 6:10 reminds us, it is the love of money, not money itself, that is the root of all kinds of evil.
How can I avoid falling into the same trap as the wicked in Psalms 73:7?
To avoid falling into the same trap, it's essential to prioritize humility and a heart of gratitude, as encouraged in Deuteronomy 8:10-14 and 1 Thessalonians 5:18, recognizing that all blessings come from God and that true prosperity is rooted in a right relationship with Him.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways do I see the 'prosperity' of the wicked influencing my own perceptions of success and happiness?
- How can I guard my heart against the temptation to let my own 'imaginations run wild' with sinful desires and fantasies?
- What are some practical ways I can cultivate humility and gratitude in my life, recognizing that true prosperity comes from God?
- In what ways can I use my own resources and blessings to serve and glorify God, rather than indulging in sinful behaviors?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 73:7
Ver. 7 Their eyes stand out with fatness,.... Or their face, the eyes being put for the whole face; so the Targum, "their face is changed, because of fatness;'' see Job 15:27, otherwise through
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 73:7
Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. Their eyes stand out with fatness. They are so pampered with rich living that their very eyes stand out with the fatness of their bodies (Job 15:27).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 73:7
Their eyes stand out with fatness; as they do in some fat persons, though not in others. The meaning is, they live in great plenty and prosperity, as the next clause explains it.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 73:7
Psalms 73:7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.Ver. 7. Their eyes stand out with fatness] The Chaldee hath it, the similitude of their face is changed through fatness. See Job 15:27. The Greek, for the wealth which they have, their eyes are lifted up. The Latin, their iniquity proceedeth as it were from fatness. They have more than heart can wish] Heb. They pass the thoughts of the heart; which the Greek rendereth, no man think how wicked they are; those stall fed Sodomites, for instance. See Jeremiah 5:28. So Aben Ezra, Transgressiones perpetrant quas cogitare nefas est, they are more wicked than can be imagined; others, they covet beyond measure, and are insatiable, thinking to enclose the whole world in their net, as Timothy the Athenian did cities and towns in his toils (Plut. in Sulla). Our translation is not to be disliked; neither yet are all to be accounted wicked that have move than heart could wish.
Bonus Dens Constantinum magnum tantis terrenis implevit muneribus, quanta optare nullus auderet, saith Augustine (De Civ. Dei, lib. 5, c. 25).
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 73:7
(7) Stand out with fatness.—Literally, go out from fat. Which, if referring to the appearance, is exactly the opposite to what we should expect. Sunken in fat would express the idea of gross sensuality. The eyes and heart are evidently used as in Jeremiah 22:17, the eyes as giving the outward index of what the heart wishes; and if we take the eyes here to mean not the organs of sight, but, by metonymy, the looks (comp. Son 4:9), “they look out of fatness,” the expression is intelligible enough. Or we might perhaps take the eyes to stand for the countenance. (See Gesenius, sub voc.), their countenance stands out because of fatness. Or, by taking this clause in direct parallelism with the following, we might understand that restless looking about for fresh excitement which comes of satiety. The following lines illustrate the whole verse: “Triumphant plenty, with a cheerful grace, Basks in their eyes, and sparkles in their face; How sleek they look, how goodly is their mien, When big they strut behind a double chin.” —DRYDEN. They have more.—See margin.
Or the verb may be intransitive: the imaginations of their hearts overflow.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 73:7
Verse 7. Their eyes stand out with fatness] "Their countenance is changed because of fatness."-Chaldee. By fatness, or corpulency, the natural lines of the face are changed, or rather obliterated. The characteristic distinctions are gone; and we see little remaining besides the human hog. They have more than heart could wish.] I doubt this translation. Whose heart ever said, I have enough, which had not its portion with God? It would be more literal to say, "They surpass the thoughts of their heart." They have more than they expected, though not more than they wish.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 73:7
7. According to the Massoretic Text the first line describes the insolent look of these sleek-faced villains. Cp. Job 15:27. But the LXX and Syr. represent a different reading, which suits the probable sense of the next line better, and gets rid of a grammatical anomaly. Render Their Iniquity cometh forth from the heart: The imaginations of their mind overflow. The word for heart is the same as that in Psalms 17:10, which according to Robertson Smith (Religion of the Semites, p. 360) means properly the midriff. The verse is thus a continuation of Psa 73:6. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh”; and no fear or shame controls their utterance of their thoughts. Cp. Jeremiah 5:28.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 73:7
Their eyes stand out with fatness - As the fruit of their high living. They are not weakened and emaciated by toil and want, as other men often are. Compare the notes at Psalms 17:10.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 73:7
7. They have more than heart could wish—Literally, They have surpassed the images of the heart. What the imagination or the corrupt heart pictures forth as desirable, they have even exceeded.
Sermons on Psalms 73:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Spiritual Sickness and Health by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot preaches on the importance of soul-prosperity, drawing from 3 John 2 where John wishes Gaius to prosper and be in health as his soul prospers. Philpot explains the dif |
|
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches to the Corinthians about the dangers of being carnal and not spiritual, highlighting the need to grow in faith and knowledge of God's wisdom. He emphasizes |
|
Who's Begging Now - c.m. Ward by From the Pulpit & Classic Sermons | In this sermon titled "Who's Begging Now?" by Sam Ward, the preacher emphasizes the importance of the state of one's heart rather than their material wealth. He uses the story of t |
|
Do Not Be Overawed by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the futility of envying the wicked, who may appear carefree and prosperous in life but face dire consequences in death. He reflects on Psalm 73, illustrati |
|
|
Whores' Foreheads by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks addresses the alarming lack of shame among sinners, comparing them to those with 'whores' foreheads' who cannot blush for their sins. He emphasizes that many today no |
|
(Dangers in the Way Series): Dangers of Prosperity and Adversity by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the dangers that Christians face in their journey towards heaven. He emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and addressing these perils, |
|
Jesus Never Comes Next by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on three accounts from the 9th chapter of Luke. He refers to them as the peril of the uncounted cause, the peril of the unburied corpse, and th |