Psalm 73:16

Translations

Modern

When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight

Traditional

When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

Literal

And I thought to know this—it was toil in my eyes—

Latin

Existimabam ut cognoscerem hoc; labor est ante me:

Original

Hebrew

English

When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight

Notes

Psalms 73:15–16

If the psalmist had spoken about his doubts regarding the value of living a godly life, he might have discouraged God's people and given God's enemies a chance to speak against God (compare John 13:20). Instead, the psalmist keeps the problem to himself and thinks about it.

Psalms 73:13–17

When the psalmist sees the effect of his discouragement and doubt, he turns to the Lord and gains new understanding.

Psalms 73:1–28

This wisdom psalm looks at the injustice of the prosperity of the wicked. The psalmist states that God is good to the godly, but his own experience is different (Psalm 73:2–12).

Almost overwhelmed by doubt (Psalm 73:13–16), the psalmist meets the Lord in the sanctuary. This meeting gives him a broader view and renews his trust in God (Psalm 73:17–26). His troubling doubts lead to a stronger desire for truth. He knows he can trust God and that God will save him (Psalm 73:27–28).

Psalms 73:1–75:10

The seeming success of the wicked (Psalm 73) and God's apparent rejection of his people (Psalm 74) raise questions about his justice. God rules the entire world and decides when to judge (Psalm 75).

Theme notes and profiles

Complaints Material Reward Questions and Doubt Wisdom Psalms

Related verses

Ecclesiastes 8:17
I saw every work of God, and that a man is unable to comprehend the work that is done under the sun. Despite his efforts to search it out, he cannot find its meaning; even if the wise man claims to know, he is unable to comprehend.
Psalm 39:6
Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.
Proverbs 30:2–3
Surely I am the most ignorant of men, and I lack the understanding of a man.
Psalm 97:2
Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation.
Luke 18:32–34
He will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon.
Psalm 36:6
Your righteousness is like the highest mountains; Your judgments are like the deepest sea. O LORD, You preserve man and beast.
Romans 11:33
O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!
Psalm 77:19
Your path led through the sea, Your way through the mighty waters, but Your footprints were not to be found.
John 16:18–19
They kept asking, “Why is He saying, ‘a little while’? We do not understand what He is saying.”

Glossary

Asaph Music Poor, the Prayer Proverbs, Book of Psalms, Book of

Topics

Blindness: Spiritual Doubting: General Scriptures Concerning God: Providence of, Mysterious and Misinterpreted Happiness of the Wicked: Sometimes a Stumbling-Block to Saints Integrity: General Scriptures Concerning Meditation: General Scriptures Concerning Murmuring: Against God Temptation: Resistance To The Happiness of the Wicked: Sometimes a Stumbling-Block to Saints The Providence of God: Sometimes Dark and Mysterious The Punishment of the Wicked in This Life by Put in Slippery Places The Rich: General Scriptures Concerning The Righteousness of God: Saints: Acknowledge, Though the Wicked Prosper Wicked (People): Contrasted with Righteous People Wicked (People): Prosperity of Wicked (People): Punishment of Worldliness: General Scriptures Concerning

Psalm 73:16

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