Psalms 73:13 — Word Study
WLCאַךְ־ רִ֭יק זִכִּ֣יתִי לְבָבִ֑י וָאֶרְחַ֖ץ בְּנִקָּי֣וֹן כַּפָּֽי׃
BSASurelyʼak [certainly, without a doubt] in vainrîyq [to no purpose, emptily] I have kept my heart purezâkâh■ [preserved, protected, innermost being, mind and emotions, clean, undefiled] in innocenceniqqâyôwn [moral purity, righteousness] I have washedrâchats▸ [cleaned, purified] my handskaph [palms]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אַךְ־ | surely | Adverb |
| רִ֭יק | vanity | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| זִכִּ֣יתִי | I have kept pure | Verb, Piel, perfect first person common singular |
| לְבָבִ֑י | heart my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וָאֶרְחַ֖ץ | and I have washed | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect first person common singular |
| בְּנִקָּי֣וֹן | in innocence | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| כַּפָּֽי׃ | hands my | Noun common feminine dual construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands. |
| KJV | Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. |
| ASV | Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocency; |
| YLT | Only — a vain thing! I have purified my heart, And I wash in innocency my hands, |
| WEB | Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence, |
| BBE | As for me, I have made my heart clean to no purpose, washing my hands in righteousness; |
The translations agree on the meaning of the verse, with no significant differences noted.
The sentence is structured around two main actions, emphasizing the psalmist's feelings of futility.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbזָכָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 73:13
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Reflections on the Prosperity of the Wickedgenerated
Psalms 73:13 presents the psalmist's struggle with feelings of futility in his pursuit of purity. He observes that despite his efforts to keep his heart clean and his hands innocent, it seems to bear no fruit when compared to the carefree lives of the wicked. This verse is part of a broader reflection on the disparity between the righteous and the unrighteous, as seen in the preceding and following verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 9:27–31 | If I were to say, ‘I will forget my complaint and change my expression and smile,’ |
| 2 | Job 21:15 | Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’ |
| 3 | Job 34:9 | For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’ |
| 4 | Job 35:3 | For you ask, ‘What does it profit me, and what benefit do I gain apart from sin?’ |
| 5 | Malachi 3:14 | You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the LORD of Hosts? |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — זִכִּ֣יתִי, zi.Ki.tigenerated
The verb זָכָה (zakah) means to be clear, clean, or pure, often in a moral sense. In this verse, it conveys the psalmist's effort to maintain moral integrity and purity of heart.
The parsing indicates this is a perfect tense in the Piel stem, suggesting a completed action of keeping oneself pure. This highlights the psalmist's commitment to righteousness despite feeling it is in vain.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb זִכִּ֣יתִי governs the first part of the verse, while וָאֶרְחַ֖ץ serves as a second verb, indicating a sequential action. The structure emphasizes the psalmist's actions of keeping his heart pure and washing his hands.
The adverb אַךְ־ introduces the statement with certainty, setting the tone for the psalmist's feelings of futility.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates זִכִּ֣יתִי as ἐδικαίωσα, which carries a sense of justification or righteousness. This choice emphasizes the moral implications of the psalmist's actions.
The translation of וָאֶרְחַ֖ץ as ἐνιψάμην indicates a focus on the act of washing, aligning with the physical cleansing the psalmist seeks.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalms 73:13 shows the psalmist feeling that his efforts to keep his heart pure and wash his hands in innocence have been in vain. He reflects on the success of the wicked and his own struggles, questioning the value of his moral choices.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The psalmist expresses a feeling that his efforts to maintain purity and righteousness seem pointless when compared to the prosperity of the wicked.
The heart represents the innermost being and moral integrity, while the hands symbolize actions. Together, they reflect the psalmist's desire for both inner purity and outward righteousness.
This verse encapsulates the tension within Psalm 73, where the psalmist grapples with the apparent success of the wicked versus his own struggles, leading to feelings of futility.
The psalmist's lament encourages us to reflect on our own struggles with faithfulness and the challenges of living righteously in a world that often rewards the opposite.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I feel my efforts toward purity are in vain?
- How can I better understand the relationship between my inner thoughts and outward actions?
- What does it mean to me to keep my heart pure in today's world?
- How can I find encouragement when I feel disheartened by the success of those who do not follow righteous paths?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss the struggle of maintaining purity in a world filled with wickedness, as seen in the writings of Augustine of Hippo.
"And I said, therefore without cause I have justified my heart" [Psalms 73:13].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 73 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 73:13 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleVerily, I have cleansed my heart in vain,.... Which supposes that his heart had been unclean, as every man's is, and which appears by what is in it, and by what comes out of it; that it was now
Read John Gill on Psalms 73 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryBehold, 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.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 73 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHence I was sometimes tempted to think that religion was a vain and unprofitable thing, at least as to the happiness of this life, which yet God had promised as a reward to piety. True religion is here fitly and fully described by its two principal parts and works, the cleansing of the heart from sinful lusts and passions, and of the hands, or outward man, from a course of sinful actions, And although it be God’ s work to cleanse the heart, yet he saith, I have cleansed it, because every good man doth co-operate with God’ s grace in cleansing it. Compare 7:1. Washed my hands in innocency, i.e. kept my hands (the great instruments of action, and consequently the rest of the members of my…
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 73 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 73:13 Verily I have cleansed my heart [in] vain, and washed my hands in innocency.Ver. 13. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain] For all is to little purpose, if the cards play on this fashion, if the good must be thus extremely under, and the bad on top of the wheel. Surely I have troubled myself to no purpose or profit; if it be so, why am I thus? as she said. I read of a profane soldier, who at the siege of a town, passing a place of danger, was heard swearing, and when one that stood by warned him, saying, Fellow soldier, do not swear, the bullets fly, he answered, They that swear come off as well as those that pray; but soon after this a shot hit him, and down he fell. It is…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 73 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(11-14) The mutual relation of these verses has been the subject of many conflicting opinions. The following is the arrangement that seems preferable— “And people say, How shall God know? And does the Most High take notice of it? Lo! there are wicked men, And yet, always at ease, they amass riches. It is in vain then that I have kept my heart pure. And washed my hands in innocence; For I have been plagued every day, And my punishments (come) every morning.” —this reflection being put into the mouth of the public who are onlookers at the career of these timeservers. But the poet immediately goes on to disclaim it for himself.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 73 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 13. I have cleansed my heart in vain] It is no advantage to us to worship the true God, to walk according to the law of righteousness, and keep the ordinances of the Most High.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 73 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges13. Verily] The same word ak as in Psalms 73:1. R.V. Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart. If the wicked prosper thus, his endeavours after holiness have been wasted. There is no reward for the righteous: nay (Psalms 73:14) his own reward has been chastisement. He would not have claimed to be sinless any more than Job (cp. Job 20:9), but he has a good conscience. For the second line cp. Psalms 26:6. The metaphor is derived from the ceremonies of the Levitical ritual. See Exodus 30:17 ff.; cp. Deuteronomy 31:6.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 73 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleVerily I have cleansed my heart in vain - That is, There is no advantage in all my efforts to become pure and holy.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 73 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.
Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence,
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure; in innocence I have washed my hands.
I concluded, “Surely in vain I have kept my motives pure and maintained a pure lifestyle.
Tyndale line
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocency;
Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, and washed my hands in innocency;
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence.
Certainely I haue clensed mine heart in vaine, and washed mine hands in innocencie.
Strictly literal
Truly have I purified my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency:
Only — a vain thing! I have purified my heart, And I wash in innocency my hands,
Only—a vain thing! I have purified my heart, || And I wash my hands in innocence,
Verily in vain have I thus cleansed my heart, and have washed in innocency my hands:
Surely it is in vain that I have guarded my heart and washed my hands in innocence.
From the Latin
Thou by thy strength didst make the sea firm: thou didst crush the heads of the dragons in the waters.
Simplified
It's been pointless to keep my mind pure and my hands clean.
As for me, I have made my heart clean to no purpose, washing my hands in righteousness;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in wording, with all seven Hebrew words matched in the Greek translation, indicating a consistent understanding of the text across these traditions.
אַךְ־ רִ֭יק זִכִּ֣יתִי לְבָבִ֑י וָאֶרְחַ֖ץ בְּנִקָּי֣וֹן כַּפָּֽי׃
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 73:13
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אַךְ (ak) is an adverb meaning 'surely' or 'indeed,' often used to emphasize what follows. It can also carry a restrictive sense, translating to 'only' or 'but.' The entries indicate its use in various contexts, but do not provide specific verse references.
אַךְ 159 adv. 1. surely. 2. with a restrictive force, emphasizing what follows
base
H389 אַךְ 1. surely. 2. with a restrictive force, emphasizing what follows
389 'ak ak
akin to 403; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by
limitation) only:--also, in any wise, at least, but,
certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only,
save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, + wherefore, yet
(but).
see HEBREW for 0403
אַךְ (akh) — surely.
1) indeed, surely (emphatic)
2) howbeit, only, but, yet (restrictive)
DirObjM — AdverbHD
רִיק (riq) refers to concepts of emptiness and vanity. It is used to describe something that is worthless or serves no purpose, appearing in various forms such as 'empty' or 'in vain.' The word is derived from another Hebrew root, רָק (raq), which also relates to emptiness.
רִיק n.[m.] emptiness, vanity
base
H7385 רִיק emptiness, vanity
7385 riyq reek
from 7324; emptiness; figuratively, a worthless thing;
adverbially, in vain:--empty, to no purpose, (in) vain
(thing), vanity.
see HEBREW for 07324
רִיק (riq) — vain.
emptiness, vanity, empty, idle, vain
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
Does not usually denote, in Scripture, self-conceit or personal pride, 2Pe 2:18, but sometimes emptiness and fruitlessness, Job 7:3 Ps 144:4 Ec 1:1-18. It often denotes wickedness, particularly falsehood, De 32:21 Ps 4:2 24:4 119:37, and sometimes idols and idol-worship, 2Ki 17:15 Jer 2:5 18:15 Jon 2:8. Compare Paul’s expression, "they turned the truth of God into a lie,"
זָכָה (zakah) means to be clear, clean, or pure, often in a moral sense. It is a primitive root that can imply being justified or regarded as righteous. The verb appears in various forms, including making oneself clean or keeping something pure. The entries consistently emphasize its moral implications.
[זָכָה] vb. be clear, clean, pure, alw. in a moral sense
Qal
be clean, pure
be clear, be justified = be regarded as just, righteous, of God
Pi. make or keep clean, pure
Hithp. make yourselves clean
base
H2135 זָכָה be clear, clean, pure, alw. in a moral sense
2135 zakah zaw-kaw'
a primitive root (compare 2141); to be translucent;
figuratively, to be innocent:--be (make) clean, cleanse, be
clear, count pure.
see HEBREW for 02141
זָכָה (za.khah) — to clean.
1) to be clean, be pure, be clear
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be clean, be pure
1a2) to be clear, be justified
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to make clean, make pure, keep clean, keep pure
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to cleanse
1c2) to make yourself clean, purify oneself
V-Piel-Perf-1cs — Verb · Piel · perfect first person common singularHVpp1cs
לֵבָב (lebab) refers to the inner man, encompassing the mind, will, and heart. It highlights aspects like emotions, moral character, and conscience, often contrasting the inner self with the outer. The term is used primarily for humans and can also denote courage and appetites.
לֵבָב 251 n.m. inner man, mind, will, heart
seldom of things in the midst of the seas
usu. of men
the inner man in contrast with the outer
the inner man, indef. the soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
specific ref. to mind
spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions, determinations of the will
spec. ref. to conscience
spec. ref. to moral character
= the man himself
spec. as seat of appetites
spec. of seat of the emotions and passions
seat of courage
base
H3824 לֵבָב inner man, mind, will, heart . seldom of things in the midst of the seas
. usu. of men . the inner man in contrast with the outer
. the inner man, indef. the soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
. specific ref. to mind
. spec. ref. to inclinations, resolutions, determinations of the will
. spec. ref. to conscience
. spec. ref. to moral character
. = the man himself
. spec. as seat of appetites
. spec. of seat of the emotions and passions
. seat of courage
3824 lebab lay-bawb'
from 3823; the heart (as the most interior organ); used also
like 3820:--+ bethink themselves, breast, comfortably,
courage, ((faint), (tender-)heart((-ed)), midst, mind, X
unawares, understanding.
see HEBREW for 03823
see HEBREW for 03820
לֵבָב (le.vav) — heart.
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)
HNcmsc/Sp1bs — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs
רָחַץ (rachats) is a Hebrew verb meaning to wash or bathe. It covers various forms of washing, including washing oneself and being washed. The entries indicate its use in different grammatical forms, such as Qal, Pual, and Hithpael, which reflect actions of washing and being washed. The lexicons do not present any significant disagreement.
רָחַץ 72 vb. wash, wash off, away, bathe
Qal 69
trans. wash (with water)
intrans. wash, bathe (oneself)
Pu. be washed
Hithp. if I washed myself in snow
base
H7364 רָחַץ wash, wash off, away, bathe
7364 rachats raw-khats'
a primitive root; to lave (the whole or a part of a
thing):--bathe (self), wash (self).
רָחַץ (ra.chats) — to wash: wash.
: wash
1) to wash, wash off, wash away, bathe
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to wash, wash off, wash away
1a2) to wash, bathe (oneself)
1b) (Pual) to be washed
1c) (Hithpael) to wash oneself
2a) (Hithpael Passive) to be regarded clean, trustworthy
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect first person common singularHc/Vqw1cs
נִקָּיוֹן (niqqayown) primarily means 'innocency' or 'freedom from guilt and punishment.' It can also refer to a physical sense of 'cleanness of teeth.' Another meaning associated with this word is 'bluntness,' as noted in the context of Amos 4:6. The word is derived from a root that suggests clarity or purity.
נִקָּיוֹן n.[m.] innocency
freedom from guilt, innocency
freedom from punishment
in physical sense, cleanness of teeth
H5356a נִקָּיוֹן innocency H5356b קֵהָיוֹן bluntness
5356 niqqayown nik-kaw-yone'
or niqqayon {nik-kaw-yone'}; from 5352; clearness (literally
or figuratively):--cleanness, innocency.
see HEBREW for 05352
נִקָּיוֹן (niq.qa.von) — innocence.
1) innocency
1a) freedom from guilt, innocency
1b) freedom from punishment
1c) cleanness of teeth (physical sense)
קֵהָיוֹן (qe.ha.yon) — bluntness.
bluntness)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
כַּף (kaph) refers to the hollow or flat part of the hand, including the palm and the sole of the foot. It can also denote power and is used to describe various hollow objects, such as bowls or handles. The word encompasses a range of meanings related to the shape and function of hands and feet, as well as items that are hand-shaped.
כַּף 192 n.f. hollow, or flat of the hand, palm, sole of foot, hand
base
H3709 כַּף hollow, or flat of the hand, palm, sole of foot, hand
3709 kaph kaf
from 3721; the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an
animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling,
the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree);
figuratively, power:--branch, + foot, hand((-ful), -dle,
(-led)), hollow, middle, palm, paw, power, sole, spoon.
see HEBREW for 03721
כַּף (kaph) — palm.
: palm/hand
1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand
1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand
1b) power
1c) sole (of the foot)
1d) hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects
1d1) of thigh-joint
1d2) pan, vessel (as hollow)
1d3) hollow (of sling)
1d4) hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees)
1d5) handles (as bent)
כַּף (kaph) — palm: sole.
: sole/paw
1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand
1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand
1b) power
1c) sole (of the foot)
1d) hollow, objects, bending objects, bent objects
1d1) of thigh-joint
1d2) pan, vessel (as hollow)
1d3) hollow (of sling)
1d4) hand-shaped branches or fronds (of palm trees)
1d5) handles (as bent)
כַּף (kaph) — palm: dish.
: dish/socket
1) palm, hand, sole, palm of the hand, hollow or flat of the hand
1a) palm, hollow or flat of the hand
1b) power
N-fd | Suff — Noun common feminine dual construct · suffixHNcfdc/Sp1bs