Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The surprising thing here is the word "Behold!" It’s an exclamation not just of observation, but of surprise and even disbelief. The psalmist is pointing out, with a sense of astonished wonder, that these are the wicked, and yet their lives are marked by ease and overflowing wealth.
Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist is wrestling with a profound doubt: seeing the wicked prosper and live in ease while he, striving to live righteously, faces suffering. He’s observing the godless seemingly securing their future and amassing wealth without consequence. This observation leads him to question God's justice and providential care, setting the stage for his eventual spiritual breakthrough.
Have you ever looked around and wondered why it seems like the 'bad guys' are always winning, getting richer and living easier lives?
The psalmist, Asaph, felt this deeply. He starts Psalm 73 by describing a scene that almost made him lose his faith: the wicked are not just getting by, they are thriving.
Always at Ease
The phrase 'always at ease' paints a picture of a life free from the usual struggles and anxieties that plague most people. They aren't burdened by worry or hardship.
Increasing in Riches
This isn't just about basic needs being met; it's about overflowing abundance. Their wealth seems to grow and grow, a stark contrast to the difficulties faced by those who try to live righteously.
This apparent unfairness isn't just a passing observation; it's a profound temptation that can make even the most faithful question God's justice.
The psalmist's observation of the wicked's prosperity wasn't just a casual thought. It was a spiritual crisis. He admits that this scene 'almost moved my feet; my steps had nearly slipped' (Psalm 73:2).
The Core Doubt
The temptation arises from the apparent contradiction between God's goodness and justice, and the reality of the wicked flourishing while the righteous may suffer. It forces questions like:
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Understand the original words
rasha' · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
Those who act in moral rebellion against God's law. They are characterized by a lack of fear of God and a lifestyle that disregards His righteousness.
This passage mirrors the Psalmist's struggle, as Jeremiah questions why the wicked prosper and the unfaithful deal treacherously, highlighting the universal nature of this perplexity.
Job 21:7-15Job's interlocutors present a similar observation to Psalm 73:12, describing the long and prosperous lives of the wicked, which challenges Job's understanding of divine justice.
Habakkuk 1:13-16Habakkuk grapples with a similar issue, questioning God's inaction in the face of evil and how God can tolerate the wicked who prosper and capture nations, echoing the psalmist's lament.
Luke 12:16-21Jesus' parable of the rich fool directly addresses the deceptive nature of worldly wealth and prosperity, warning that such riches do not guarantee security or favor with God, a stark contrast to the Psalmist's observation.
jfbPsalms 73:12: "Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches."
- prosper in the word—literally, "secure for ever."
poolePsalms 73:12: "Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches."
These are the ungodly; this is their condition and carriage in it. These seem to be the words of the psalmist, summing up the matter, and preparing his passage to the other part of the Psalm.
The surprising thing here is the word "Behold!" It’s an exclamation not just of observation, but of surprise and even disbelief. The psalmist is pointing out, with a sense of astonished wonder, that these are the wicked, and yet their lives are marked by ease and overflowing wealth.
The psalmist is wrestling with a profound doubt: seeing the wicked prosper and live in ease while he, striving to live righteously, faces suffering. He’s observing the godless seemingly securing their future and amassing wealth without consequence. This observation leads him to question God's justice and providential care, setting the stage for his eventual spiritual breakthrough.
The psalmist is wrestling with a profound doubt: seeing the wicked prosper and live in ease while he, striving to live righteously, faces suffering. He’s observing the godless seemingly securing their future and amassing wealth without consequence. This observation leads him to question God's justice and providential care, setting the stage for his eventual spiritual breakthrough.
"Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches." — The surprising thing here is the word "Behold!" It’s an exclamation not just of observation, but of surprise and even disbelief. The psalmist is pointing out, with a sense of astonished wonder, that…
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Last reviewed October 2026