Psalms 73:17
until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Psalms 73:17
until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The phrase "sanctuary of God" isn't just about a physical building; it signifies a place of divine encounter where the psalmist consulted God's wisdom. It was in this sacred space, through prayer and meditation on God's Word, that he gained the true perspective to discern the ultimate, disastrous end of the wicked, not just their temporary success.
The psalmist Asaph has been deeply troubled by the apparent success and ease of the wicked, which seems to contradict God's justice. This struggle has nearly caused him to lose his faith, making him question the value of following God. However, a turning point comes when he enters the sanctuary of God, which represents seeking divine wisdom and understanding.
The psalmist's spiritual breakthrough didn't happen in a vacuum. Where did he go, and what does 'sanctuary' really mean?
When the psalmist says he went 'into the sanctuary of God,' he's not just talking about a physical building. In his time, the 'sanctuary' represented the place where God's presence was felt most strongly, where His people could come to consult Him, understand His ways, and receive His counsel.
Seeking God's Perspective
The prosperity of the wicked can be baffling. What does it truly mean to 'discern their end'?
The core of the psalmist's struggle was the apparent success of those who didn't follow God, while the faithful often suffered. He nearly lost his faith over this.
Beyond Present Appearances
Understand the original words
miqdash · Hebrew Noun
A sacred place or space dedicated to the presence and worship of God, representing the locus of divine revelation and the dwelling place of the Most High.
achariyth · Hebrew Noun
In a moral or theological sense, this refers to the ultimate outcome or destiny of a person’s life, particularly in contrast to the righteous and the wicked before God.
This psalm was likely written during or shortly after the Babylonian Exile, a period of immense national trauma. The destruction of the Temple and the scattering of God's people made the prosperity of those who seemed to oppose God's will particularly perplexing and agonizing.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its citizens. This event would have deeply unsettled the remaining kingdom of Judah, raising questions about God's faithfulness.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
King Sennacherib of Assyria besieges Jerusalem. Though the city is miraculously spared, the surrounding devastation and the perceived success of the wicked (Assyrians) would have tested faith.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and exile a significant portion of the population. This catastrophic event amplified the psalm's central question about the prosperity of the wicked.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus Cylinder Issued
Cyrus the Great issues a decree allowing exiled peoples to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples. This marks the beginning of the return from Babylonian exile.
This passage speaks to the ultimate accountability before God, echoing the psalmist's realization of the 'end' of the wicked, which transcends immediate earthly observation.
Matthew 7:24-27Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish builders highlights the importance of a solid foundation and the eventual outcome of actions, mirroring the psalmist's understanding that true stability is found in God's ways, not in the fleeting prosperity of the wicked.
Proverbs 14:11-12This proverb directly contrasts the apparent prosperity of the wicked with their ultimate ruin, reflecting the core discovery the psalmist makes in the sanctuary about their inevitable 'end'.
Romans 2:5-8Paul discusses God's righteous judgment, distinguishing between the perishable outcomes of wickedness and the eternal life of righteousness, which aligns with the psalmist's discernment of the true, lasting end of each path.
Hebrews 4:12The powerful Word of God, described as sharper than any sword, is the very 'sanctuary' where the psalmist finds clarity. This passage emphasizes the penetrating truth found in Scripture, which reveals the hidden realities of human intentions and ultimate destinies.
clarkePsalms 73:17: "Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end."
Until I went into the sanctuary - Until, in the use of thy ordinances, I entered into a deep consideration of thy secret counsels, and considered the future state of the righteous and the wicked; that the unequal distribution of temporal good and evil argued a future judgment; that the present is a state of trial; and that God exercises his followers according to his godly wisdom and tender mercy. Then light sp…
jfbPsalms 73:17: "Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end."
- went into the sanctuary—to enquire (compare Ex 25:22; Ps 5:7; 27:4).
The phrase "sanctuary of God" isn't just about a physical building; it signifies a place of divine encounter where the psalmist consulted God's wisdom. It was in this sacred space, through prayer and meditation on God's Word, that he gained the true perspective to discern the ultimate, disastrous end of the wicked, not just their temporary success.
The psalmist Asaph has been deeply troubled by the apparent success and ease of the wicked, which seems to contradict God's justice. This struggle has nearly caused him to lose his faith, making him question the value of following God. However, a turning point comes when he enters the sanctuary of God, which represents seeking divine wisdom and understanding.
The psalmist Asaph has been deeply troubled by the apparent success and ease of the wicked, which seems to contradict God's justice. This struggle has nearly caused him to lose his faith, making him question the value of following God. However, a turning point comes when he enters the sanctuary of God, which represents seeking divine wisdom and understanding.
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"until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end." — The phrase "sanctuary of God" isn't just about a physical building; it signifies a place of divine encounter where the psalmist consulted God's wisdom. It was in this sacred space, through prayer and…