How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse doesn't just describe the wicked's downfall; it captures the astonishment of the psalmist witnessing it. This suddenness, this "in a moment" destruction, is what strikes him, highlighting how their seemingly solid prosperity could vanish so quickly and completely, leaving only terror behind.
How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist, Asaph, has been struggling with his faith because he sees the wicked prospering while he, a righteous person, suffers. He contrasts their apparent ease and lack of troubles with his own struggles, almost losing his conviction about God's goodness. However, after reflecting in the sanctuary, he realizes that the wicked are on "slippery places" and their seemingly stable prosperity is fleeting and will end in sudden destruction and terror.
Ever felt like the 'bad guys' win, and win big? This verse offers a stark reminder about the fleeting nature of their success.
The prosperity of the wicked often appears stable and lasting, leading many to question God's justice. However, the psalmist here exclaims in amazement at the suddenness and completeness of their downfall.
What truly brings about the downfall of the wicked? It's more than just God's external judgment; internal terror plays a crucial role.
The verse states the wicked are 'consumed with terrors.' This isn't simply about God's actions against them, but also the internal psychological and spiritual devastation they experience.
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Understand the original words
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 reflects the deep spiritual turmoil experienced by the people of God, particularly during or after the Babylonian exile. The sudden and terrifying destruction of their nation and Temple forces a re-examination of God's justice and the apparent prosperity of the wicked, a crisis that Asaph the psalmist navigates through intense personal struggle.
c. 1010 BC
David Reigns as King
King David establishes Jerusalem as the capital, uniting the tribes of Israel and ushering in a golden age of peace and prosperity. This period of stability allows for the flourishing of arts and worship, including the composition of many psalms.
c. 970 BC
Solomon's Reign Begins
David's son Solomon inherits the throne, continuing the era of prosperity. His reign is marked by the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem, a symbol of God's presence and the nation's devotion.
c. 931 BC
The Kingdom Divides
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into two: the Northern Kingdom of Israel (ten tribes) and the Southern Kingdom of Judah (two tribes). This division marks the beginning of a long period of political instability and spiritual decline.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Exile
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel and exiles its population. This devastating event serves as a stark warning about the consequences of unfaithfulness to God.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Southern Exile
The Babylonian Empire conquers Judah, destroys Jerusalem and the First Temple, and exiles a significant portion of its population. This marks a profound crisis of faith for the people of God.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great Allows Return
The Persian Empire, under Cyrus the Great, conquers Babylon. Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, marking the beginning of the post-exilic period.
This passage speaks of the wicked being consumed by fear and dread, mirroring the 'terrors' that overwhelm them in Psalm 73.
Job 27:20This verse describes the wicked being 'taken away in the night' and consumed by terrors, echoing the sudden and fearful destruction mentioned in Psalm 73.
Matthew 24:44Jesus warns about the suddenness of His return, stating 'you also must be ready, for the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him,' which parallels the 'in a moment' destruction of the wicked.
1 Thessalonians 5:3This passage describes sudden destruction falling on those who say 'peace and security,' highlighting the unexpected and swift downfall that catches the ungodly off guard.
Proverbs 1:26-27This proverb speaks of the wicked's destruction coming suddenly like a storm and their terror when it arrives, directly correlating with the themes of sudden desolation and terror in Psalm 73.
clarkePsalms 73:19: "How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors."
Are they brought into desolation - This is often a literal fact. I have known several cases where persons, very rich, have by sudden losses been brought into desolation as in a moment; in consequence of which they were utterly consumed in terrors.
pulpitPsalms 73:19: "How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors."
Verse 19. - How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! There is something very striking in the suddenness with which the prosperity of a wicked man often collapses. Saul, Jezebel, Athaliah, Epiphanes, Herod Agrippa, are cases in point, likewise Nero, Galerius, Julian. The first and second Napoleonic empires may also be cited. They are utterly consumed with terrors; literally,…
The verse doesn't just describe the wicked's downfall; it captures the astonishment of the psalmist witnessing it. This suddenness, this "in a moment" destruction, is what strikes him, highlighting how their seemingly solid prosperity could vanish so quickly and completely, leaving only terror behind.
The psalmist, Asaph, has been struggling with his faith because he sees the wicked prospering while he, a righteous person, suffers. He contrasts their apparent ease and lack of troubles with his own struggles, almost losing his conviction about God's goodness. However, after reflecting in the sanctuary, he realizes that the wicked are on "slippery places" and their seemingly stable prosperity is fleeting and will end in sudden destruction and terror.
The psalmist, Asaph, has been struggling with his faith because he sees the wicked prospering while he, a righteous person, suffers. He contrasts their apparent ease and lack of troubles with his own struggles, almost losing his conviction about God's goodness. However, after reflecting in the sanctuary, he realizes that the wicked are on "slippery places" and their seemingly stable prosperity is fleeting and will end in sudden destruction and terror.
"How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!" — The verse doesn't just describe the wicked's downfall; it captures the astonishment of the psalmist witnessing it. This suddenness, this "in a moment" destruction, is what strikes him, highlighting…
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Last reviewed October 2026