Psalms 73 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.
Time Period
Circa 10th century BC, during the reign of King David
Location
Jerusalem, in the context of Temple worship
Audience
The worshiping community of ancient Israel, including Levites and pilgrims
Situation
The psalmist Asaph struggles with envy toward the prosperous wicked who seem unscathed by judgment, questioning the value of righteousness amid personal suffering.
Key Background
Attributed to Asaph, a chief Levite musician appointed by David (1 Chronicles 15:16-19; 16:4-7), this psalm opens the Asaph collection (Psalms 73-83) and grapples with theodicy—the problem of evil's apparent success. It reflects communal worship experiences where faithful Israelites observed neighboring nations' wealth and power. The resolution comes in the sanctuary, affirming God's sovereignty and eternal justice over temporal prosperity.
A of Asaph. God really is to Israel — to those whose inner life is
But as for me — my slipped. I almost lost my footing completely.
Because I was jealous of the arrogant when I saw how for the
They don't even at death — their bodies are healthy and well-fed.
They're untouched by the troubles everyone else faces. They don't get hit with the same problems as other people.
So they wear their a necklace, and violence wraps around them clothing.
Their with excess; the fantasies of their hearts run wild.
They mock and speak with cruelty; from their high position, they threaten to
They their the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.
So the people turn to them and up they
And they say, "How would God know? Does the Most even pay attention?"
Look at them — the corrupt! Always at always piling up more wealth.
Was it all for nothing that I my uncorrupted? Did I wash my in for no reason?
Because I've been hit with trouble all day long, and every morning brings fresh pain.
If I had said these things out loud, I would have betrayed the whole of
When I tried to make sense of all this, it was an —
until I entered the of God. Then I understood how their
You've set them on a edge. You let them fall into ruin.
How suddenly they are destroyed — completely by
Like a dream when someone wakes — when you rise, you dismiss them like a
When my was bitter and I felt
I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a in front of you.
Yet I am always with you; you my
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward, you will take me into
Who do I have in heaven? And with you, I on
My body and my heart may fail, but God is the of my heart and I — forever.
Look — those who are far from you will perish. You destroy everyone who is to you.
But for me, being is what is good. I have made my shelter, so I can the of everything he has done.