Psalms 73:18-19
Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While it might seem like God is letting the wicked have it easy, the verse reveals that He deliberately places them in precarious positions. Their so-called prosperity is actually a setup for a swift and devastating fall, making their ultimate ruin all the more shocking and deserved.
The psalmist, after wrestling with doubt over the prosperity of the wicked, finds resolution in approaching God directly. This newfound clarity reveals that the wicked, despite their outward success, are precariously placed and ultimately destined for ruin. Their apparent security is a facade, as God's judgment will swiftly bring about their downfall.
Ever wondered why bad people seem to get ahead, only to crash and burn later? This verse offers a powerful perspective on their temporary success.
The psalm contrasts the apparent stability of the wicked with the reality of their precarious position. While they may seem secure and prosperous in the eyes of the world, their success is built on unstable ground.
The fall of the wicked isn't always a slow, drawn-out process. Sometimes, it's swift and absolute.
This concept focuses on the sudden and total nature of the wicked's destruction, as described in the latter part of the verse and its surrounding context.
Understand the original words
chalaqlaqqowth · Hebrew Noun
A state of moral instability or precariousness, often used metaphorically to describe the vulnerability of the wicked who lack the firm foundation of God's truth.
sho'ah · Hebrew Noun
A state of complete desolation, ruin, or sudden annihilation, often serving as a manifestation of divine judgment against those who oppose God.
shamem · Hebrew Verb
An act of God, a process, or a state of being brought to an end, often implying total loss or catastrophic judgment.
ballahah · Hebrew Noun
A state of intense fear or dread, frequently associated in the Old Testament with the judgment of God or the sudden realization of divine power.
This psalm was likely written during or shortly after the Babylonian exile, when the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple forced Asaph to confront the apparent prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous. The timeline highlights the devastating backdrop against which this profound theological struggle took place.
c. 1000-900 BC
Davidic Monarchy and Temple Construction
The United Monarchy under David and Solomon establishes Jerusalem as the religious and political center, with the construction of the First Temple. This era represented a peak of Israelite power and prosperity.
c. 930 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This division led to ongoing conflict and instability.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Exile
The Northern Kingdom of Israel is conquered by the Neo-Assyrian Empire, and its elite population is exiled. This event served as a stark warning to Judah about the consequences of unfaithfulness.
c. 597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieges Jerusalem and deports a significant portion of the population, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel. This marks a severe decline in Judah's fortunes.
This verse speaks of sudden terror and destruction coming upon those who reject wisdom, mirroring the swift downfall described in Psalms 73:18.
Job 20:29This passage describes the inheritance and portion of the wicked as decreed by God, emphasizing their eventual destruction and the certainty of God's judgment, similar to the theme of God setting the wicked in unstable places.
Matthew 7:24-27Jesus' parable of the two builders highlights the instability of a life built on a faulty foundation, akin to the 'slippery places' of the wicked, contrasted with the steadfastness of those who follow God's words.
Luke 6:49This verse is the parallel to the parable in Matthew 7, directly stating that the one who hears and does not act is like a builder whose house collapses without any resistance, illustrating the inevitable destruction from 'slippery places'.
Jeremiah 23:12This verse describes God's judgment on false prophets, stating they will be brought down into slippery paths, directly correlating the imagery of 'slippery places' with divine retribution.
jfbPsalms 73:18: "Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction."
18-20. their end—future (Ps 37:37, 38), which is dismal and terribly sudden (Pr 1:27; 29:1), aggravated and hastened by terror. As one despises an unsubstantial dream, so God, waking up to judgment (Ps 7:6; 44:23), despises their vain shadow of happiness (Ps 39:6; Isa 29:7). They are thrown into ruins as a building falling to pieces (Ps 74:3).
clarkePsalms 73:18: "Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction."
Thou didst set them on slippery places - Affluence is a slippery path; few have ever walked in it without falling. It is possible to be faithful in the unrighteous mammon, but it is very difficult. No man should desire riches; for they bring with them so many cares and temptations as to be almost unmanageabe. Rich men, even when pious, are seldom happy; they do not enjoy the consolations of…
While it might seem like God is letting the wicked have it easy, the verse reveals that He deliberately places them in precarious positions. Their so-called prosperity is actually a setup for a swift and devastating fall, making their ultimate ruin all the more shocking and deserved.
The psalmist, after wrestling with doubt over the prosperity of the wicked, finds resolution in approaching God directly. This newfound clarity reveals that the wicked, despite their outward success, are precariously placed and ultimately destined for ruin. Their apparent security is a facade, as God's judgment will swiftly bring about their downfall.
The psalmist, after wrestling with doubt over the prosperity of the wicked, finds resolution in approaching God directly. This newfound clarity reveals that the wicked, despite their outward success, are precariously placed and ultimately destined for ruin. Their apparent security is a facade, as God's judgment will swiftly bring about their downfall.
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586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and the First Temple, exiling most of the remaining population. This catastrophic event plunged the people into despair and raised profound questions about God's justice.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus's Decree and Return from Exile
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon and issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marks the beginning of the restoration period.
"Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!" — While it might seem like God is letting the wicked have it easy, the verse reveals that He deliberately places them in precarious positions. Their so-called prosperity is actually a setup for a swift…
