Psalms 73:5-8
They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment. Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies. They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse highlights a deceptive aspect of the wicked's prosperity: their apparent exemption from the "trouble of man" and "plagues" isn't a sign of God's favor, but rather an indication that they are beyond the common, mortal struggles that often serve as divine discipline for believers. This sets the stage for the psalmist's realization that their lack of hardship allows their pride and arrogance to flourish unchecked, unburdened by the very trials that refine the righteous.
The psalmist, Asaph, is wrestling with a profound spiritual crisis, feeling his faith nearly slip away as he observes the seemingly unhindered prosperity of the wicked. He begins by reaffirming his belief in God's goodness, but then contrasts it with the disturbing reality he sees: the ungodly appear free from the typical struggles and afflictions that plague ordinary people, even seeming to live lives untouched by the common pains of human existence. This stark contrast sets the stage for his deep internal conflict and eventual spiritual breakthrough.
Ever look at those seemingly untouched by life's struggles and wonder, "Why them, and not me?" This psalm grapples with that exact feeling.
A Different Kind of Trouble
This verse highlights a stark contrast: the wicked appear to live lives free from the typical hardships that plague humanity.
This isn't to say they never face any trouble, but their experience is presented as remarkably different from the norm, creating a significant stumbling block for faith.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Psalms 73:5-8 is available in the Sola app.
Their outward ease leads to a dangerous self-assurance. What happens when suffering doesn't temper the soul?
The Dangerous Freedom of the Unchecked
The apparent lack of trouble for the wicked isn't just a passive state; it actively shapes their character and actions.
This unchecked freedom creates an illusion of invincibility, leading them to believe they are above consequence and even divine oversight.
Understand the original words
ʿāmāl · Hebrew Noun
State of misery, affliction, or hardship. In a biblical sense, it often describes the common struggles faced by those subject to the consequences of a fallen world.
ga'on · Hebrew Noun
A haughty or arrogant attitude that sets oneself up above God and others, characterized by self-sufficiency and a lack of dependence on the Creator.
atiphah · Hebrew Noun
An outward appearance or display that conceals one's true nature; in a negative sense, it is the manifestation of one's character, here implying that their sinful state is worn openly.
chamas · Hebrew Noun
Physical force, often used unjustly or aggressively to overpower others; it stands in direct opposition to God's justice and mercy.
lebab · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the seat of intellect, emotion, and will; in the Bible, it is the center of human moral decision-making and the primary object of God's transformative work.
maskiyyoth · Hebrew Noun
Morally corrupt thoughts, sinful intentions, or foolish speech that flows from a mind disconnected from divine wisdom and truth.
maqam · Hebrew Verb
To treat something or someone with contempt, mockery, or scorn; it is the verbal expression of a prideful heart that lacks reverence for God.
ra'ah · Hebrew Noun
Deep-seated ill will or the desire to inflict harm upon others; it is a manifestation of a heart void of the love of God.
osheq · Hebrew Noun
The act of crushing or exploiting the weak; in biblical theology, it is a great injustice that cries out to God for judgment.
This psalm speaks directly to the age-old struggle of reconciling God's justice with the observable reality of the wicked often flourishing while the righteous suffer, a tension keenly felt by ancient Israelites during periods of monarchy and exile.
c. 1000 BC - 400 BC
Period of the United Monarchy and Divided Kingdoms
This psalm reflects the ongoing societal tensions and theological questions present during the period of Israel's monarchy, including its eventual division and the challenges faced by the people of God amidst surrounding nations and internal struggles.
c. 700 BC
Asaph's Ministry and Temple Service
Asaph, the traditional author or collector of this psalm, served as a musician and worship leader in Jerusalem, likely during the period of the divided kingdoms or the early monarchy. His perspective would be shaped by the religious and political climate of his time.
c. 700 BC— this verse
Observation of Wicked Prosperity
The psalmist observes the apparent ease and success of the wicked, noting their freedom from the typical hardships, illnesses, and afflictions that plague ordinary people, including the faithful.
c. 700 BC
Spiritual Struggle and Doubt
The psalmist grapples with profound doubt, nearly losing his faith as he contrasts the prosperity of the godless with the suffering of the righteous.
c. 700 BC
Encounter in the Sanctuary
Through seeking God in the sanctuary, the psalmist gains a spiritual perspective, realizing the ultimate end of the wicked and the true, eternal portion of those who cleave to God.
This passage echoes the psalmist's observation, describing how the wicked often prosper and face no apparent divine judgment, which can be a source of confusion and doubt for the righteous.
Jeremiah 12:1-4Jeremiah wrestles with a similar problem, questioning why the 'way of the wicked' prospers and why traitors live in peace, highlighting the ongoing struggle to reconcile God's justice with observable realities.
Luke 16:19-31The parable of the rich man and Lazarus provides a stark contrast to the earthly prosperity of the wicked, revealing that outward success does not equate to favor with God and that there is a final reckoning beyond this life.
Galatians 6:7-8This passage from Paul speaks to the principle of sowing and reaping, reminding us that while the wicked may seem to escape consequences in this life, God's ultimate justice will prevail, and those who sow to the flesh will reap corruption, unlike those who sow to the Spirit.
expositorsPsalms 73:1-28: "A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart."
Psalm 73:1-28 THE perennial problem of reconciling God’s moral government with observed facts is grappled with in this psalm, as in Psalm 37:1-40 ; Psalm 49:1-20 . It tells how the prosperity of the godless, in apparent flat contradiction of Divine promises, had all but swept the psalmist from his faith, and how he was led, through doubt and struggle, to closer communion with God, in which he…
calvinPsalms 73:4-9: "For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm."
- For there are no bands to their death, and their strength is vigorous. [158] 5. They are not in the trouble that is common to man; neither are they scourged [or stricken] with other men. 6. Therefore pride compasseth them as a chain; the raiment of violence hath covered them. 7. Their eye goeth out for fatness; they have passed beyond [or exceeded] the thoughts of their heart. 8. They become insolent, and wic…
The verse highlights a deceptive aspect of the wicked's prosperity: their apparent exemption from the "trouble of man" and "plagues" isn't a sign of God's favor, but rather an indication that they are beyond the common, mortal struggles that often serve as divine discipline for believers. This sets the stage for the psalmist's realization that their lack of hardship allows their pride and arrogance to flourish unchecked, unburdened by the very trials that refine the righteous.
The psalmist, Asaph, is wrestling with a profound spiritual crisis, feeling his faith nearly slip away as he observes the seemingly unhindered prosperity of the wicked. He begins by reaffirming his belief in God's goodness, but then contrasts it with the disturbing reality he sees: the ungodly appear free from the typical struggles and afflictions that plague ordinary people, even seeming to live lives untouched by the common pains of human existence. This stark contrast sets the stage for his deep internal conflict and eventual spiritual breakthrough.
The psalmist, Asaph, is wrestling with a profound spiritual crisis, feeling his faith nearly slip away as he observes the seemingly unhindered prosperity of the wicked. He begins by reaffirming his belief in God's goodness, but then contrasts it with the disturbing reality he sees: the ungodly appear free from the typical struggles and afflictions that plague ordinary people, even seeming to live lives untouched by the common pains of human existence. This stark contrast sets the stage for his deep internal conflict and eventual spiritual breakthrough.
"They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind. Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment. Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflo…" — The verse highlights a deceptive aspect of the wicked's prosperity: their apparent exemption from the "trouble of man" and "plagues" isn't a sign of God's favor, but rather an indication that they ar…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
