Psalms 73:27
For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights that "perishing" for those far from God isn't just about eventual judgment, but about actively being "destroyed" by God due to infidelity, a powerful image suggesting an active divine reckoning for those who turn away. The phrase "go a whoring" uses a metaphor of marital betrayal to underscore the profound spiritual offense of unfaithfulness to God, emphasizing the severity of abandoning the covenant relationship.
The psalmist, after a long struggle with doubt about why the wicked prosper while the faithful suffer, has found resolution by drawing near to God. He concludes by contrasting the eternal destiny of those alienated from God with his own secure portion in God, who is his strength and eternal good.
What does it really mean to 'perish' when you're 'far from God'? It's not just a passive fading away.
The verse uses the powerful phrase 'those who are far from you shall perish.' This 'perishing' isn't just a quiet disappearance. It implies an active, destructive end. The scholars highlight that being 'far from God' means forsaking His ways, choosing the world's prosperity over His presence, and estranging oneself from His life and knowledge.
It's like a ship drifting away from the lighthouse – it doesn't just stop existing; it heads towards rocks and ruin. The language suggests a chosen distance that leads to inevitable destruction. This is a stark reminder that 'far from God' is not a neutral place; it's a trajectory toward annihilation.
The phrase 'go a whoring' sounds jarring. What deep spiritual truth is the Psalmist conveying with such strong imagery?
The verse intensifies the idea of separation with the phrase 'you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.' The original language here uses a metaphor of spiritual adultery or 'going a whoring.' This isn't just a casual mistake; it signifies a deep betrayal of a covenant relationship.
Scholars explain that when Scripture uses this imagery, it's often about Israel's unfaithfulness to God, who is depicted as their husband. So, 'going a whoring from God' means turning to other 'lovers' – idols, worldly desires, or self-reliance – instead of remaining devoted to Him. It's a deliberate act of breaking the sacred vows of the covenant relationship. God's judgment on such wilful apostasy is severe, as this verse powerfully declares.
Understand the original words
rachaq · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
Describes a state of spiritual alienation or estrangement from God. It characterizes those who live independently of His covenant and authority, leading to inevitable spiritual decay and judgment.
abad · Hebrew Verb
To be ruined, lost, or destroyed. In a theological sense, it refers to the finality of divine judgment for those who reject God’s grace and remain in rebellion.
zanah · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
Describes one who is morally or spiritually treacherous, specifically in relation to the covenant with God. It implies breaking faith through idolatry or intentional apostasy.
This psalm was likely written during a time when outward prosperity and inward corruption were rampant in Israel. The 'going far from God' and 'going a whoring' describe not just idolatry, but a deep spiritual unfaithfulness and a preference for worldly gain over a relationship with the Divine, a choice that ultimately leads to spiritual death.
c. 760 BC
Reign of Jeroboam II
This period saw significant material prosperity in Israel, but also widespread religious corruption and social injustice. The prophet Amos, contemporary with this period, fiercely condemned the exploitation of the poor and the people's hollow religious practices.
c. 750 BC— this verse
Asaph's Spiritual Crisis
The psalmist Asaph experiences a profound crisis of faith, nearly abandoning his belief as he observes the apparent prosperity and impunity of the wicked, which contradicts his understanding of God's justice.
c. 750 BC
Asaph's Return to the Sanctuary
Through prayer and reflection in the sanctuary, Asaph regains his perspective, realizing the transience of wicked prosperity and the eternal value of closeness to God. He understands that true 'perishing' is spiritual separation from God.
c. 740 BC
Fall of Samaria
This passage directly parallels the 'going a whoring' imagery, describing Israel's spiritual adultery by forsaking God for empty idols, highlighting the severe consequence of spiritual unfaithfulness.
John 15:4-6Jesus' words about abiding in Him and bearing fruit directly contrast with the idea of being 'far from God.' Those who don't abide in Christ are metaphorically thrown away like branches, illustrating the perishing that comes from separation.
Romans 1:18-23This passage explains how people become 'far from God' by suppressing the truth and worshipping created things instead of the Creator, leading to their deserving of destruction, mirroring the verse's theme of perishing due to estrangement from God.
Hebrews 6:4-6This text warns about the impossibility of restoring those who fall away after experiencing God's goodness, directly addressing the idea of spiritual 'whoredom' or apostasy and its severe, final consequences.
1 John 2:15-17This passage cautions against loving the world, which can lead one to be 'far from the Father.' It emphasizes that those who are deeply invested in worldly things are ultimately perishing because their true allegiance is not with God.
poolePsalms 73:27: "For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee."
They that are far from thee; they that forsake thee and thy ways, preferring the prosperity of this present evil world before thy love, and favour, and service; they who estrange themselves from the love, and life, and acquaintance of God; that say to God, Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways , as they did, Job 21:14 . Thou hast destroyed; thou will…
jfbPsalms 73:27: "For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee."
27, 28. The lot of apostates, described by a figure of frequent use (Jer 3:1, 3; Eze 23:35), is contrasted with his, who finds happiness in nearness to God (Jas 4:8), and his delightful work the declaration of His praise.
This verse highlights that "perishing" for those far from God isn't just about eventual judgment, but about actively being "destroyed" by God due to infidelity, a powerful image suggesting an active divine reckoning for those who turn away. The phrase "go a whoring" uses a metaphor of marital betrayal to underscore the profound spiritual offense of unfaithfulness to God, emphasizing the severity of abandoning the covenant relationship.
The psalmist, after a long struggle with doubt about why the wicked prosper while the faithful suffer, has found resolution by drawing near to God. He concludes by contrasting the eternal destiny of those alienated from God with his own secure portion in God, who is his strength and eternal good.
The psalmist, after a long struggle with doubt about why the wicked prosper while the faithful suffer, has found resolution by drawing near to God. He concludes by contrasting the eternal destiny of those alienated from God with his own secure portion in God, who is his strength and eternal good.
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The northern kingdom of Israel, plagued by internal corruption and syncretic worship, is conquered by the Assyrian Empire, leading to the exile of many Israelites. This event would have served as a stark reminder of the consequences of straying from God.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
The Assyrian king Sennacherib invades Judah and besieges Jerusalem. While the city is miraculously spared, the event underscores the vulnerability of those who turn away from God and the devastating consequences of rebellion.
"For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you." — This verse highlights that "perishing" for those far from God isn't just about eventual judgment, but about actively being "destroyed" by God due to infidelity, a powerful image suggesting an active…
