Westminster Annotations, Psalms · Psalm 73
PSAL. LXXIII.
Title. A Psalm of Asaph] Or, A Psalm for Asaph.
of Asaph] See notes on Psal. 50. tit.
Vers. 1. TRuly] Or, yet.
Truly God is good to Israel] Though God may seem to favour bad men, because they prosper; and to hate good men, because they are crossed; yet he assures himself, that God in the end would blesse the godly, and such as were not hypocrites.
of a clean heart] Heb. clean of heart.
V. 2. my feet were almost gone] By murmuring against God, or, doubting of his providence, and liking too well the state of the wicked, verse 13, &c.
V. 3. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked] Job 21. 7. Psal. 37. 1. Jere. 12. 1.
V. 4. there are no bands in their death] The wicked in this life live in pleasure, and are not drawn to death like prisoners▪ but they die easie deaths.
in] Or, to.
firm] Heb. fat.
V. 5. in trouble as other men] Heb. in the trouble of other me…▪ like] Heb. with.
V. 6. Therefore] They glory in their pride, as some do in their chains: and in cruelty, as some do in rich apparell.
V. 7. they have more then heart could wish] Heb. they passe the thoughts of the heart.
V. 8. they speak loftily] Heb. from on high. As if they though… themselves above all other men, and above all law, and order, so that they might do what they list▪
V. 9. They set their mouth against the heavens] They blaspheme God, not fearing his power; and rail upon men, as inferiours.
V. 10. Therefore his people] Not onelyonly wicked men do evill, but also the people of God oftentimes fall back, seeing the prosperous estate of the wicked, and are overwhelmed with sorrows, thinking that God considereth not aright the state of the godly.
return hither] To say, as followeth, verse 11, &c.
waters of a full cup are wrung out to them] Or, when waters of a full cup are wrung out to them: That is, when they …ec wicked men prosper by oppressing others.
V. 11. And they say] Thus the flesh moveth even the godly to dispute with God touching their poor estate, and the prosperity of the wicked.
V. 13. washed my hands in innocency] Psal. 26. 6.
V. 14. chastened] Heb. my chastisement was.
V. 15. If I say, I will speak thus] If I give place to this wicked thought, I shall wrong godly men, and condemn them for hypocrites, because they are under afflictions.
V. 16. it was too painfull for me] Heb. it was labour in mine eyes.
V. 17. Ʋntill I went into the sanctuary of God] Untill I entered into thy school, and learned by thy word and holy spirit, that thou orderest things wisely and justly, reserving judgement for them.
V. 18. thou castedst them down into destruction] Heb. destructions: That is, a very great destruction.
V. 19. they are utterly consumed with terrours] By thy fearfull judgement.
V. 20. when thou awakest] When thou shewest thy power, hidden for a time, as a man awaking doth, Psal. 78. 65.
their image] Their prosperity, which was but as a dream, Job 20. 8.
V. 22. foolish was I, and ignorant] Prov. 30. 2. Jere. 10. 14.
ignorant] Heb. I knew not.
before thee] Heb. with thee.
before] For the more that a man goeth about by his own reason to seek out Gods judgements, the more doth he declare himself a beast.
thee] In thy account, O God.
V. 23. I am continually with thee] By faith I was assured, that thy providence did watch alwayes over me, to preserve me, Psal. 63. 8.
V. 24. guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory] Psal. 25. 9. and 32. 8.
V. 25. Whom have I in heaven but thee?] He sought neither help, nor comfort of any, save of God onelyonly.
V. 26. strength] Heb. rock.
my portion for ever] He teacheth us to deny our selves, and to have God our whole sufficiencie, and onelyonly contentment, Psal. 16. 5. and 119. 57.
V. 27. that go a whoring from thee] That is, forsake thee, as a disloyall wife doth her husband.
V. 28. But it is good for me to draw neer to God] Though all the world shrink from God, yet he promiseth to trust in him, and to magnifie his work, Josh. 24. 15.