16 When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
16 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,
16 Still, when I tried to figure it out, all I got was a splitting headache . . .
16 When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me--
16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!
17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.
17 Until I entered the sanctuary of God. Then I saw the whole picture:
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.
17 Then I went into your sanctuary, OÂ God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
(Read Psalm 73:15-20)
The psalmist having shown the progress of his temptation, shows how faith and grace prevailed. He kept up respect for God's people, and with that he restrained himself from speaking what he had thought amiss. It is a sign that we repent of the evil thoughts of the heart, if we suppress them. Nothing gives more offence to God's children, than to say it is vain to serve God; for there is nothing more contrary to their universal experience. He prayed to God to make this matter plain to him; and he understood the wretched end of wicked people; even in the height of their prosperity they were but ripening for ruin. The sanctuary must be the resort of a tempted soul. The righteous man's afflictions end in peace, therefore he is happy; the wicked man's enjoyments end in destruction, therefore he is miserable. The prosperity of the wicked is short and uncertain, slippery places. See what their prosperity is; it is but a vain show, it is only a corrupt imagination, not substance, but a mere shadow; it is as a dream, which may please us a little while we are slumbering, yet even then it disturbs our repose.
13 Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?
13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
13 Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?
13 O God! Your way is holy! No god is great like God!
13 Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary; Who is so great a God as our God?
13 OÂ God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you?
(Read Psalm 77:11-20)
The remembrance of the works of God, will be a powerful remedy against distrust of his promise and goodness; for he is God, and changes not. God's way is in the sanctuary. We are sure that God is holy in all his works. God's ways are like the deep waters, which cannot be fathomed; like the way of a ship, which cannot be tracked. God brought Israel out of Egypt. This was typical of the great redemption to be wrought out in the fulness of time, both by price and power. If we have harboured doubtful thoughts, we should, without delay, turn our minds to meditate on that God, who spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, that with him, he might freely give us all things.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 73:16
Commentary on Psalm 73:15-20
(Read Psalm 73:15-20)
The psalmist having shown the progress of his temptation, shows how faith and grace prevailed. He kept up respect for God's people, and with that he restrained himself from speaking what he had thought amiss. It is a sign that we repent of the evil thoughts of the heart, if we suppress them. Nothing gives more offence to God's children, than to say it is vain to serve God; for there is nothing more contrary to their universal experience. He prayed to God to make this matter plain to him; and he understood the wretched end of wicked people; even in the height of their prosperity they were but ripening for ruin. The sanctuary must be the resort of a tempted soul. The righteous man's afflictions end in peace, therefore he is happy; the wicked man's enjoyments end in destruction, therefore he is miserable. The prosperity of the wicked is short and uncertain, slippery places. See what their prosperity is; it is but a vain show, it is only a corrupt imagination, not substance, but a mere shadow; it is as a dream, which may please us a little while we are slumbering, yet even then it disturbs our repose.