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Ps 73:1-28.

Of Asaph--(see

Introduction).

God is good to His people. For although the prosperity of the wicked, and the afflictions of the righteous, tempted the Psalmist to misgivings of God's government, yet the sudden and fearful ruin of the ungodly, seen in the light of God's revelation, reassures his heart; and, chiding himself for his folly, he is led to confide renewedly in God, and celebrate His goodness and love.

1. The abrupt announcement of the theme indicates that it is the conclusion of a perplexing mental conflict, which is then detailed (compare

Jer 12:1-4).

Truly--or, "Surely it is so."

clean heart--

(Ps 18:26)

describes the true Israel.

2. The figures express his wavering faith, by terms denoting tottering and weakness (compare

Ps 22:5; 62:3).

3-9. The prosperous wicked are insolently proud (compare

Ps 5:5).

They die, as well as live, free from perplexities: pride adorns them, and violence is their clothing; indeed they are inflated with unexpected success. With all this--

8. They are corrupt--or, literally, "they deride," they speak maliciously and arrogantly and invade even heaven with blasphemy

(Re 13:6),

and cover earth with slanders

(Job 21:7-14).

10-12. Hence God's people are confounded, turned hither (or back) and thither, perplexed with doubts of God's knowledge and care, and filled with sorrow.

12. prosper in the word--literally, "secure for ever."

13, 14. The Psalmist, partaking of these troubles, is especially disturbed in view of his own case, that with all his diligent efforts for a holy life, he is still sorely tried.

15. Freed from idiomatic phrases, this verse expresses a supposition, as, "Had I thus spoken, I should," &c., intimating that he had kept his troubles to himself.

generation of thy children--Thy people

(1Jo 3:1).

offend--literally, "deceive, mislead."