Psalm 73:22

Translations

Modern

I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.

Traditional

So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

Literal

And I was brutish and could not know; I was a beast before You.

Latin

…et ego ad nihilum redactus sum, et nescivi:

Original

Hebrew

English

I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.

Notes

Psalms 73:21–22

The psalmist’s feelings about the prosperity of the wicked had given him a bitter spirit.

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 3:18
I said to myself, “As for the sons of men, God tests them so that they may see for themselves that they are but beasts.”
Psalm 92:6
A senseless man does not know, and a fool does not understand,
Psalm 49:10
For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others.
Isaiah 1:3
The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.”
Psalm 32:9
Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.
Proverbs 30:2
Surely I am the most ignorant of men, and I lack the understanding of a man.
Job 18:3
Why are we regarded as cattle, as stupid in your sight?
Psalm 69:5
You know my folly, O God, and my guilt is not hidden from You.

Glossary

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

Topics

Beasts: Devoid of Understanding Blindness: Spiritual Humility: Exemplified Integrity: General Scriptures Concerning Meditation: General Scriptures Concerning Murmuring: Against God Repentance: Exemplified Sin: Confession of Temptation: Resistance To The Rich: General Scriptures Concerning Wicked (People): Contrasted with Righteous People Wicked (People): Prosperity of Worldliness: General Scriptures Concerning

Psalm 73:22

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