Psalms 73

The Prophet describeth by his example, what a heavy temptation it is to the faithful to see the wicked prosper whiles themselves are afflicted: shewing the right way, how to overcome such temptations, by considering of Gods wise government, which serveth to the concection and destruction of the wicked, but to the good of the godly, especially that they may learn to take or seek their perfect content in nothing but the grace and blessed communion with God.

1. A Psalm of Asaph. [See Psa.50.on v.1.] Sure God is good to Israel; [or yet however, nevertheless, assuredly, &c. Thus the Prophet breaketh out, after that he had overcome a heavy inward combat and temptation by reason of the wickeds temporal prosperity. Compare Psa.62.2.] to those that are pure of heart. [i.e. to the true but such as do serve God with an upright faith, and godliness unfeigned. See John 1:48. Acts 15:9. Rom.9.6,8. 1 John 3:3.]

2. But as for me,. My feet had almost turned out, [Oth. I was (or had) almost turned out with my feet] my steps were even shot forth.

3. For I envied the foolish, [Job 21,7, &c. Psa.37.1. Jerem.12.1,2. See of the Hebrew word Psa.5.on v.6. seeing the peace of the wicked. [i.e. their temporal welfare and prosperity.]

4. For there are no bonds [Or knots, i.e. they have or feel no pains of sicknesses, or bodily infirmities, whereby a man comes to be bound, or tied and hindered from going about his affairs. Some do hold it to be a similitude taken from the courser sort of yarn or thread, which run smoothly all the loom over without breaking, so that one need not bind or knit them together again, so in like manner doth the life of the wicked pass smoothly away, without any great rub, adversity or impediment] until their death, [Oth. In their death, i.e. they die an easy gentle death. See Job 21:13.] and their vigour (or power) is fresh. [i.e. they are healthy and lively, see Job 21:23,24.) Heb. Fat, healthy. Oth. Their portal is strong.]

5. They are not in toil as (other) men [Heb. In the toil of man; and so again presently. Here two words are used one after another Enosh and Adam, both signifying man, whereof the former hath regard to the mortality, and wretchedness of man, the other to the original of his body made earth.] and are not plagued with (other) men.

6. Therefore doth pride encompass them as a chain: [Heb. Chain them, i.e. is instead of a chain to them, hanging about them like an ornament, or golden collar, and chain about their neck; or they are hung round about with pride, even as a chain goeth round about the neck.] Violence covereth them (as) a garment [or, gay apparel. The Hebrew word is used Prov.7.10. for the garment of an adulteress, and seems to have its denomination from sitting, or sitting well and comely to the body. So the wicked brave it with violence and oppression, as if it were their gallantry and ornament. See the contrary Job 29:14.]

7. Their eyes butt out of fatness, [Heb. Goeth forth, each eye namely. Compare Job 15:27.] they go above the imaginations of the heart. [i.e. it fareth better with them, then they could have imagined; or, the imaginations of their heart to proceed; or, they practise more (mischief) than any ones heart could imagine. Compare Jer.5.28.]

8. They tire out (men,) [Or, consume, waste, or melt (men) by all manner of oppression and insolence, as the following words declare. The Hebrew word is found no where thus but here, and therefore diversly rendered] and speak evil [Heb. In, or, with evil or malice] of oppression, and whom none must gainsay, compare Psalms 12:5.]

9. They set their mouth against heaven: their tongue walketh upon the earth. [i.e. they speak and rail as well against God, and all divine things, as against men. Compare Revel.13.6. thus God is likewise understood by heaven Dan.4.verse 26. Luke 15:18.]

10. Therefore his people turneth hither; [Gods people namely, of whom the first verse of this Psalm, and sequel here speaketh. The sence is, that the godly considering their great crosses on the one, and the prosperity of the wicked on the otherside, they are troubled with these thoughts, whether God indeed have any care of human things] when waters of a full (cup) are wrung out unto them. [cup, or bason. Afflictions being in such abundant manner measured out unto them, as if one squeezed or wrung out water out of some moist or sappy matter into a bason or beaker. See Psalm 11.on v.6. 2 Sam.22.verse 17. Or by the waters may be here be understood tears, by comparing Psalms 80:6. and 42.4. as if the Prophet had said, A cup full of tears.]

11. That they say; How should God know, and there be knowledge with the most high?

12. Behold these are wicked, nevertheless they have rest in the world, [Heb. They are the quiet, or peaceful of the world, or, of the age, or eternity, i.e. such or those that enjoy peace (compare John 14:27.) or the luck and success of this world; or that are rest, and possessed of ease and prosperity all their life time, and live in all security. Of this use of the word eternity, See Deut.15.on v.17.] and compare with this complaint Jer.12.v.1,2.] they multiply the substance. [i.e. their riches, as Deuteronomy 8:17,18. Ruth 2 verse 1.2. Kings 5.1.]

13. Sure in vain have I cleansed my heart: [The words of the Prophet. See above on verse 1.] and washed mine hands in innocency: [See Psalm 26.on verse 6.]

14. Because I am afflicted all the day, and my correction it every morning [Heb. In the morning hours, i.e. every morning, or very early still. So Job 7:18. Psalms 101:8. Isaiah 33:2. Lamentations 3:23.]

15. If I should say; [This may be taken for thinking or saying with ones self, as it is frequently used .] I shall likewise speak thus; [i.e. I shall give way to this tentatio to prevail over me, so that I yield to my flesh, and openly henceforth pronounce the godly unhappy and praise the ungodly] behold, then should I be unfaithful to praise the ungodly] behold, then should I be unfaithful to the generation of thy children. [i.e. to all the Godly in general, thy universal Church, elsewhere also called the generation of the righteous, or, the righteous generation, Psalms 14:5. implying that he should greatly wrong the Church of God, and greatly trespass against both them and God himself, by condemning them, by reason of their affliction. Of the Hebrew word, rendered generation, see Psalm 12.on v.8.]

16. Nevertheless I mused for to understand this: (but) it was toil (or, toilsome) in mine eyes: [This business about the cross of the godly and the speed of the wicked, seemed too difficult for my apprehension, I was not able to extricate my doubts about it. See Job 18.on verse 3.]

17. Till I entered into Gods sanctuaries; [Understand the word of God, and the place also, where Gods people assembleth together, and his word is handled, taught and searched into] and marked their end. [Heb. Hindermost, last, utmost, i.e. how it fareth with the wicked at their latter end, as Deuteronomy 32.verse 20,29. &c.]

18. Sure thou settest them upon smooth places, [A comparison taken from slippery ways, where there is no sure footing, and one may easily get a fall.] thou causeth them to fall into desolations. [or destructions, properly such as fall out with a great deal of noise and impetuosity.]

19. How do they become a desolation, as in a moment! Take an end, are consumed of frightings.

20. Like unto a dream, after waking: [i.e. all their speed prosperity, ease and pleasure doth vanish on a sudden, like unto a dream, to him that awaked. See Job 20:8,9. Isaiah 29:7,8.] when thou awakes, O LORD [i.e. doest prepare thy self to punish them, when as before thou didst seem to sleep, and not to see their wickedness; See Psalms 35:23, &c. Oth. When thou raisest, or awakenest (them,) viz. At the last day to judgement.] (then) shalt thou despised their image. [i.e. all their fading and transitory prosperity, luster and glory. Compare 1 Cor.7.31. et Psalms 39:7, this may also have relation to the everlasting confusion of the wicked, which they are to undergo, after the resurrection from the dead. See Dan.12.2.]

21. When my heart was swelled up, [Or, rose up, like leaven, as the word doth properly imply in the Hebrew, i.e. when I was thus disquieted, vexed and angered with the prosperity of the wicked] and I was pricked in my reins. [i.e. mightily provoked to passion, or when my passions were most sharp and vehement. See Job 19:27.]

22. Then was I senceless, [Like unto brute animals see Psalm 49.on verse 11.] and knew nothing: I was a great beast with thee. [i.e. very bruitish, or beastly Heb. Behemoth, i.e. Beasts, which word is used Job 40:10. as some conceive of the Elephant; the meaning is, I might justly be accounted as brutish and beastly by thee, as the beasts themselves are.]

23. Now shall I be continually with thee: [i.e. cleave close unto, and rest satisfied with thy wise and holy government] thou hast taken hold of my right hand.[i.e. preserved and supported me, in my senceless, that I turned not aside. See above verse 2.]

24. Thou shalt guide me by thy counsel: [By thy word and holy Spirit, together with thy fatherly providence and government.] and after take me up in glory [Comp. This kind of speaking with 1 Tim.3.16. & Heb.2.10. item 1 Thess.4.17.]

25. Whom have I (besides thee) in heaven? [Or who is there for me, viz. Besides thee, which words being expressed in the sequel, are likewise to be applied to this antecedent; the prophet implying that he had none in heaven, to call upon and trust unto but God.] besides thee also I desire (or long for) nothing upon earth. [viz. So as to rest satisfied therein, or to rely upon it; God, would he say, was his onely and chiefest good, which having once obtained, he had all his hearts desire fulfilled.]

26. If my flesh and my heart [i.e. my body and soul, as Psalm.84.3.] faint, God is the rock of my heart, [i.e. he in whom my heart doth trust, as my best strength and refuge. See Deut.32.on v.4.] and my portion in eternity forever. [comp. Psalm.16.on v.5,6.]

27. For loe, those that are far from thee, [That have no communion with thee, or continue at distance from thee.] shall perish: thou destroyest every one that goeth a whoring from thee. [commiting spiritual whoredom or adultery, and loving any other thing more then thee. See Levit.17.on verse 7.]

28. But as for me: it is good for me to be neer God: [Heb. Neerness, or drawing neer approaching of God, i.e. unto God, as Isa.58.2.] I put my trust upon the Lord LORD; for to relate (or recount) all thy works.