Bible Commentary

Psalms 73:15-20

Matthew Henry on Psalms 73:15-20

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

The psalmist having shown the progress of his temptation, shows how faith and grace prevailed. He kept up respect for God's people, and with that he restrained himself from speaking what he had thought amiss.

It is a sign that we repent of the evil thoughts of the heart, if we suppress them. Nothing gives more offence to God's children, than to say it is vain to serve God; for there is nothing more contrary to their universal experience.

He prayed to God to make this matter plain to him; and he understood the wretched end of wicked people; even in the height of their prosperity they were but ripening for ruin. The sanctuary must be the resort of a tempted soul.

The righteous man's afflictions end in peace, therefore he is happy; the wicked man's enjoyments end in destruction, therefore he is miserable. The prosperity of the wicked is short and uncertain, slippery places.

See what their prosperity is; it is but a vain show, it is only a corrupt imagination, not substance, but a mere shadow; it is as a dream, which may please us a little while we are slumbering, yet even then it disturbs our repose.

Recommended reading

More for Psalms 73:15-20

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 73:1-28The grievous conflict of the flesh and the Spirit, and the glorious conquest of the Spirit at the last. I. THE BEGINNING OF THE PSALM. In this he ingeniously pointeth at those rocks against which he was like to have spl…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 73:1-28The solution of a great problem. The question here is—Why should good men suffer, and bad men prosper, when the Law had said that God was a righteous Judge, meting out to men in this world the due recompense of their de…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 73:1-28Asaph's trial and deliverance. Asaph was greatly tempted, as this psalm plainly shows. It does not matter whether he speaks of himself or, as is likely, of some other servant of God. Consider— I. HIS TEMPTATION. 1. It w…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 73:1-28EXPOSITION THIS is the first of the "Psalms of Asaph," whereof the present book contains eleven. They are characterized by a preponderating use of the name "Elohim" over that of" Jehovah," by a great calmness and solemn…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 73:15If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children; or, if I had said (Revised Version). If, when these feelings assailed me, and the lot of the ungodly man seemed to me much bet…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 73:16When I thought to know this; literally, and I meditated, that I might understand this. A process of careful thought and consideration is implied, during which the psalmist tried hard to understand the method of God's go…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 73:17Until I went into the sanctuary of God; literally, the sanctuaries (comp. Psalms 68:35; Psalms 84:1; Psalms 132:7). The three subdivisions of both the tabernacle and the first temple, viz. the court, the holy place, and…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 73:18Surely thou didst set them up in slippery places. The wicked have at no time any sure hold on their prosperity. They are a "set in slippery places"—places from which they may easily slip and fall. Thou castedst them dow…Joseph S. Exell and contributors