Psalms 73:3
Psalms 73:3 in Multiple Translations
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For I was envious at the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Because of my envy of the men of pride, when I saw the well-being of the wrongdoers.
because I was jealous of self-important people—I saw how well the wicked were doing.
For I feared at the foolish, when I sawe the prosperitie of the wicked.
The peace of the wicked I see, That there are no bands at their death,
For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Lift up thy hands against their pride unto the end; see what things the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.
because I envied those who proudly said that they did not need God, and I saw that they prospered even though they were wicked.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 73:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 73:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּֽי
קִ֭נֵּאתִי
בַּֽ/הוֹלְלִ֑ים
שְׁל֖וֹם
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
אֶרְאֶֽה
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
קִ֭נֵּאתִי
qânâʼ
H7065
be jealous
V-Piel-Perf-1cs
בַּֽ/הוֹלְלִ֑ים
hâlal
H1984
to shine
Prep | V-Qal
שְׁל֖וֹם
shâlôwm
H7965
Peace
N-ms
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
אֶרְאֶֽה
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 73:3
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
קִ֭נֵּאתִי
qânâʼ
H7065
"be jealous"
V-Piel-Perf-1cs
To be jealous means to feel envious or resentful of someone or something, often because of a perceived threat or rivalry. In the Bible, jealousy is sometimes portrayed as a negative emotion, as in the story of Cain and Abel in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to envy, be jealous, be envious, be zealous 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to be jealous of 1a2) to be envious of 1a3) to be zealous for 1a4) to excite to jealous anger 1b) (Hiphil) to provoke to jealous anger, cause jealousy
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: (be) envy(-ious), be (move to, provoke to) jealous(-y), [idiom] very, (be) zeal(-ous). See also: Genesis 26:14; Psalms 37:1; Psalms 73:3.
בַּֽ/הוֹלְלִ֑ים
hâlal
H1984
"to shine"
Prep | V-Qal
To be foolish means to act wildly or make a show, like the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:29. It can also mean to celebrate or boast, as in Psalm 38:5.
Definition: 1) to shine 1a) (Qal) to shine (fig. of God's favour) 1b) (Hiphil) to flash forth light
Usage: Occurs in 140 OT verses. KJV: (make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(-ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine. See also: Genesis 12:15; Psalms 113:1; Psalms 5:6.
שְׁל֖וֹם
shâlôwm
H7965
"Peace"
N-ms
This Hebrew word for peace, shalom, means completeness, wellness, and friendship, and is often used to describe God's relationship with humanity, as seen in the covenant with the Israelites. It encompasses physical and spiritual health, prosperity, and harmony.
Definition: This name means completeness, peace Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 209 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] do, familiar, [idiom] fare, favour, [phrase] friend, [idiom] great, (good) health, ([idiom] perfect, such as be at) peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty), salute, welfare, ([idiom] all is, be) well, [idiom] wholly. See also: Genesis 15:15; Esther 2:11; Psalms 4:9.
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
אֶרְאֶֽה
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
Study Notes — Psalms 73:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 73:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 73:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 73:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 73:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 73:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 73:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 73:3
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 73:3
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 73:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 73:3
- Sermons on Psalms 73:3
Context — Surely God Is Good to Israel
1Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
2But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped.
3For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed. 5They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 21:7 | Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power? |
| 2 | Psalms 37:7 | Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes. |
| 3 | Proverbs 23:17 | Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always continue in the fear of the LORD. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 12:1 | Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? |
| 5 | Psalms 37:1 | Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong. |
| 6 | Proverbs 24:1 | Do not envy wicked men or desire their company; |
| 7 | Proverbs 3:31 | Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways; |
| 8 | James 4:5 | Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy? |
Psalms 73:3 Summary
[Psalms 73:3 tells us that the psalmist envied the arrogant when he saw their prosperity, which made him question God's goodness, but as we see in Jeremiah 29:11, God has a plan to prosper us, not to harm us. The psalmist's envy was a result of focusing on the wrong things, but we can learn to trust in God's goodness and focus on our own relationship with Him, as encouraged in Psalms 37:3-4. By doing so, we can avoid the trap of envy and comparison, and instead, cultivate a heart of contentment and trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in Romans 8:28.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the psalmist say he envied the arrogant?
The psalmist envied the arrogant because they seemed to be prospering without any consequences for their wicked actions, which made him question God's goodness, as seen in Psalms 73:3 and supported by Jeremiah 12:1-2, where the prophet also questions God's justice.
What is the nature of the prosperity of the wicked?
The prosperity of the wicked, as mentioned in Psalms 73:3, is often a temporary and earthly prosperity, unlike the eternal blessings promised to the righteous in Psalms 37:37 and Matthew 5:10.
How can we avoid envying the arrogant like the psalmist did?
We can avoid envying the arrogant by focusing on our own relationship with God and trusting in His goodness, as encouraged in Psalms 37:3-4 and Proverbs 3:5-6, where we are reminded to trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding.
What does this verse teach about the human heart?
This verse teaches that the human heart is prone to envy and comparison, as seen in Psalms 73:3, but it also reminds us that our hearts can be pure and trust in God's goodness, as encouraged in Matthew 5:8 and 1 Peter 1:22.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in your life where you find yourself envying others, and how can you shift your focus to God's goodness?
- How does the prosperity of the wicked affect your faith, and what can you learn from the psalmist's experience?
- In what ways do you struggle with comparing yourself to others, and how can you cultivate a heart of contentment and trust in God?
- What are some biblical truths that you can remind yourself of when you feel tempted to envy others, and how can you apply them to your life?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 73:3
For I was envious at the foolish,.... The atheists, as in Psalms 14:1, who deny the creation, as Arama; the wicked, as after explained, as all wicked men are, how wise soever they may be in things
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 73:3
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For I was envious at the foolish - Hebrew, 'the foolishly insolent' or 'haughty' [from haalal (H1984), to boast foolishly] (Psalms 5:5; Psalms 75:5).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 73:3
I grudged and murmured at it, and had a secret desire to partake of their delicates.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 73:3
Psalms 73:3 For I was envious at the foolish, [when] I saw the prosperity of the wicked.Ver. 3. For I was envious at the foolish] Heb. at the braggadocios, the vain glorious, the mad boasters; factabundis, I emulated, and stomached their prosperity, compared with mine own far worse condition. Godly men, though cured of their spiritual frensy, yet play oft many mad tricks; one while fretting at the prosperity of their adversaries, and another while murmuring at their own afflictions, or plotting courses how to conform themselves to the world, &c. When I saw the prosperity of the wicked] This hath ever been a pearl in the eyes, not of the heathens only, but of better men. See Jeremiah 12:1-2 Habakkuk 1:3 Psalms 37:1-2. Yet Seneca writes a treatise of it, and shows the reasons, if at least he believed himself therein. Erasmus passes this censure of him; read him as a Pagan, and he writes Christian like; read him as a Christian, and he writeth Pagan like.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 73:3
(3) Foolish.—Better, arrogant.When I saw.—Perhaps the conjunction is wrongly supplied, and the word “saw” here is synonymous with “envied” in the first clause. (Comp. Latin invideo.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 73:3
Verse 3. I was envious at the foolish] I saw persons who worshipped not the true God, and others who were abandoned to all vices, in possession of every temporal comfort, while the godly were in straits, difficulties, and affliction. I began then to doubt whether there was a wise providence; and my mind became irritated. It seems to have been a maxim among the ancient heathens, Θεουονειδοςτουςκακουςευδαιμονειν, "The prosperity of the wicked is a reproach to the gods." But they had no just conception of a state of future rewards and punishments. Besides, man could not bear prosperity. If men had uninterrupted comforts here, perhaps not one soul would ever seek a preparation for heaven. Human trials and afflictions, the general warfare of human life, are the highest proof of a providence as benevolent as it is wise. Were the state of human affairs different from what it is, hell would be more thickly peopled; and there would be fewer inhabitants in glory. There is reason to doubt whether there would be any religion upon earth had we nothing but temporal prosperity. Indeed, all the following verses are proofs of it.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 73:3
1–14. Faith tried by the sight of the prosperity of the wicked.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 73:3
For I was envious at the foolish - The word “foolish” here refers to sinners. It may either refer to them as foolish, or as proud, insolent, vain - for so the word is elsewhere used. See Psalms 14:1.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 73:3
3. Envious at the foolish—I saw their prosperity, and thought they were more favoured than I, and I was dissatisfied. See Psalms 37:1; Proverbs 23:17; Malachi 3:14-15
Sermons on Psalms 73:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Use and Abuse of Money by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of obeying God's commandments and warns of the repercussions for ignoring them. He specifically focuses on the message in Jam |
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Of Meditating on the Future Life by John Calvin | John Calvin preaches about the three divisions of the chapter, emphasizing the use of the cross to train believers to despise the present life and aspire to the future, describing |
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Psalms 73 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith addresses the question of God's fairness in his sermon on Psalms 73, illustrating the disparity between the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous. |
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Receiving the Reward by Herbert Henry Farmer | Herbert Henry Farmer delves into the paradox of worldly success and the perception of prosperity among the wicked, challenging the notion that material wealth equates to divine fav |
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Jeremiah 12:1 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith addresses the profound questions of faith in his sermon 'BUT, WHY GOD?' using Jeremiah 12:1 as a foundation. He explores Jeremiah's struggle with God's justice, emphasi |
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God Will Do What Is Right in the End by William MacDonald | William MacDonald emphasizes the unwavering righteousness of God, reminding us that despite life's mysteries and injustices, we can trust that the Judge of all the earth will ultim |
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How the Wicked Seem to Prosper by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the common struggle of believers when they see the wicked prospering while the righteous suffer. He emphasizes the importance of mainta |