Read the Bible — American Standard Version · Psalms

Psalms 73

1 A Psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, Even to such as are pure in heart.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • A Psalm H4210 (מִזְמוֹר) — properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
  • of Asaph H623 (אָסָף) — Asaph, the name of three Israelites, and of the family of the first
  • Truly God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
  • good H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
  • to Israel H3478 (יִשְׂרָאֵל) — he will rule as God; Jisraël, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
  • to such as are of a clean H1249 (בַּר) — beloved; also pure, empty
  • heart H3824 (לֵבָב) — the heart (as the most interior organ);

2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; My steps had well nigh slipped.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • But as for me, my feet H7272 (רֶגֶל) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
  • were almost H4592 (מְעַט) — a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
  • gone H5186 (נָטָה) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
  • my steps H838 (אָשֻׁר) — a step
  • had well nigh H369 (אַיִן) — a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle
  • slipped H8210 (שָׁפַךְ) — to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e. to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc.); intensi…

3 For I was envious at the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • For I was envious H7065 (קָנָא) — to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e. (in a bad sense) jealous or envious
  • at the foolish H1984 (הָלַל) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to ce…
  • I saw H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
  • the prosperity H7965 (שָׁלוֹם) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace
  • of the wicked H7563 (רָשָׁע) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

4 For there are no pangs in their death; But their strength is firm.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • no bands H2784 (חַרְצֻבָּה) — a fetter; figuratively, a pain
  • in their death H4194 (מָוֶת) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
  • but their strength H193 (אוּל) — the body (as being rolled together); also powerful
  • firm H1277 (בָּרִיא) — fatted or plump

5 They are not in trouble as other men; Neither are they plagued like other men.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • not in trouble H5999 (עָמָל) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
  • men H582 (אֱנוֹשׁ) — properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified 120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
  • neither are they plagued H5060 (נָגַע) — properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive, acquire);…
  • like H5973 (עִם) — adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then usually un…
  • men H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

6 Therefore pride is as a chain about their neck; Violence covereth them as a garment.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Therefore pride H1346 (גַּאֲוָה) — arrogance or majesty; by implication, (concretely) ornament
  • compasseth them about as a chain H6059 (עָנַק) — to collar, i.e. adorn with a necklace; figuratively, to fit out with supplies
  • violence H2555 (חָמָס) — violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain
  • covereth H5848 (עָטַף) — to shroud, i.e. clothe (whether transitive or reflex.); hence (from the idea of darkness) to languish
  • a garment H7897 (שִׁית) — a dress (as put on)

7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: They have more than heart could wish.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Their eyes H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
  • stand out H3318 (יָצָא) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.
  • with fatness H2459 (חֶלֶב) — fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part
  • they have more H5674 (עָבַר) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation…
  • than heart H3824 (לֵבָב) — the heart (as the most interior organ);
  • could wish H4906 (מַשְׂכִּית) — a figure (carved on stone, the wall, or any object); figuratively, imagination

8 They scoff, and in wickedness utter oppression: They speak loftily.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • They are corrupt H4167 (מוּק) — to jeer, i.e. (intens.) blaspheme
  • and speak H1696 (דָבַר) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
  • wickedly H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
  • oppression H6233 (עֹשֶׁק) — injury, fraud, (subjectively) distress, (concretely) unjust gain
  • they speak H1696 (דָבַר) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
  • loftily H4791 (מָרוֹם) — altitude, i.e. concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)

9 They have set their mouth in the heavens, And their tongue walketh through the earth.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • They set H8371 (שָׁתַת) — to place, i.e. array; reflex. to lie
  • their mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
  • against the heavens H8064 (שָׁמַיִם) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
  • and their tongue H3956 (לָשׁוֹן) — the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of…
  • walketh H1980 (הָלַךְ) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
  • through the earth H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

10 Therefore his people return hither: And waters of a full cup are drained by them.

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Psalms 75:8
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Therefore his people H5971 (עַם) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
  • return H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…
  • hither H1988 (הֲלֹם) — hither
  • and waters H4325 (מַיִם) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
  • of a full H4392 (מָלֵא) — full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully
  • are wrung out H4680 (מָצָה) — to suck out; by implication, to drain, to squeeze out

11 And they say, How doth God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • And they say H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
  • How doth God H410 (אֵל) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)
  • know H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
  • and is there H3426 (יֵשׁ) — there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
  • knowledge H1844 (דֵּעָה) — knowledge
  • in the most High H5945 (עֶלְיוֹן) — an elevation, i.e. (adj.) lofty (compar.); as title, the Supreme

12 Behold, these are the wicked; And, being alway at ease, they increase in riches.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • the ungodly H7563 (רָשָׁע) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
  • who prosper H7961 (שָׁלֵו) — tranquil; (in a bad sense) careless; abstractly, security
  • in the world H5769 (עוֹלָם) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially…
  • they increase H7685 (שָׂגָה) — to enlarge (especially upward, also figuratively)
  • riches H2428 (חַיִל) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

13 Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart, And washed my hands in innocency;

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Verily I have cleansed H2135 (זָכָה) — to be translucent; figuratively, to be innocent
  • my heart H3824 (לֵבָב) — the heart (as the most interior organ);
  • vain H7385 (רִיק) — emptiness; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain
  • and washed H7364 (רָחַץ) — to lave (the whole or a part of a thing)
  • my hands H3709 (כַּף) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); fig…
  • in innocency H5356 (נִקָּיוֹן) — clearness (literally or figuratively)

14 For all the day long have I been plagued, And chastened every morning.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • For all the day H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
  • long have I been plagued H5060 (נָגַע) — properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive, acquire);…
  • and chastened H8433 (תּוֹכֵחָה) — chastisement; figuratively (by words) correction, refutation, proof (even in defence)
  • every morning H1242 (בֹּקֶר) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

15 If I had said, I will speak thus; Behold, I had dealt treacherously with the generation of thy children.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • If I say H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
  • I will speak H5608 (סָפַר) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e. celebrate
  • thus H3644 (כְּמוֹ) — as, thus, so
  • behold, I should offend H898 (בָּגַד) — to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage
  • the generation H1755 (דּוֹר) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling
  • of thy children H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…

16 When I thought how I might know this, It was too painful for me;

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • When I thought H2803 (חָשַׁב) — properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); h…
  • to know H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
  • too painful H5999 (עָמָל) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
  • for me H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God, And considered their latter end.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Until I went H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
  • into the sanctuary H4720 (מִקְדָּשׁ) — a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of Jehovah or of idols) or asylum
  • of God H410 (אֵל) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)
  • understood H995 (בִּין) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand
  • I their end H319 (אַחֲרִית) — the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity

18 Surely thou settest them in slippery places: Thou castest them down to destruction.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Surely thou didst set H7896 (שִׁית) — to place (in a very wide application)
  • them in slippery places H2513 (חֶלְקָה) — properly, smoothness; figuratively, flattery; also an allotment
  • thou castedst them down H5307 (נָפַל) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
  • into destruction H4876 (מַשּׁוּאָה) — ruin

19 How are they become a desolation in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • into desolation H8047 (שַׁמָּה) — ruin; by implication, consternation
  • as in a moment H7281 (רֶגַע) — a wink (of the eyes), i.e. a very short space of time
  • they are utterly H5486 (סוּף) — to snatch away, i.e. terminate
  • consumed H8552 (תָּמַם) — to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive
  • with terrors H1091 (בַּלָּהָה) — alarm; hence, destruction

20 As a dream when one awaketh, So, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou wilt despise their image.

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Job 20:8 · Psalms 7:6 · Psalms 39:6 · Psalms 78:65 · Psalms 90:5 · Isaiah 29:7
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • As a dream H2472 (חֲלוֹם) — a dream
  • awaketh H6974 (קוּץ) — to awake (literally or figuratively)
  • O Lord H136 (אֲדֹנָי) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only)
  • when thou awakest H5782 (עוּר) — to wake (literally or figuratively)
  • thou shalt despise H959 (בָּזָה) — to disesteem
  • their image H6754 (צֶלֶם) — a phantom, i.e. (figuratively) illusion, resemblance; hence, a representative figure, especially an idol

21 For my soul was grieved, And I was pricked in my heart:

Cross references & Strong's
Cross references (TSK): Job 16:13 · Psalms 37:1 · Psalms 37:7 · Psalms 73:3 · Lamentations 3:13
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Thus my heart H3824 (לֵבָב) — the heart (as the most interior organ);
  • was grieved H2556 (חָמֵץ) — to be pungent; i.e. in taste (sour, i.e. literally fermented, or figuratively, harsh), in color (dazzling)
  • and I was pricked H8150 (שָׁנַן) — to point (transitive or intransitive); intensively, to pierce; figuratively, to inculcate
  • in my reins H3629 (כִּלְיָה) — a kidney (as an essential organ); figuratively, the mind (as the interior self)

22 So brutish was I, and ignorant; I was as a beast before thee.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • So foolish H1198 (בַּעַר) — properly, foot (as consumed); i.e. (by exten.) of cattle brutishness; (concretely) stupid
  • I, and ignorant H3045 (יָדַע) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation…
  • a beast H929 (בְּהֵמָה) — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: Thou hast holden my right hand.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • continually H8548 (תָּמִיד) — properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the regular (dai…
  • with thee: thou hast holden H270 (אָחַז) — to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)
  • by my right H3225 (יָמִין) — the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
  • hand H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…

24 Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Thou shalt guide H5148 (נָחָה) — to guide; by implication, to transport (into exile, or as colonists)
  • me with thy counsel H6098 (עֵצָה) — advice; by implication, plan; also prudence
  • and afterward H310 (אַחַר) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
  • receive H3947 (לָקַח) — to take (in the widest variety of applications)
  • glory H3519 (כָּבוֹד) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • Whom have I in heaven H8064 (שָׁמַיִם) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
  • none upon earth H776 (אֶרֶץ) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
  • I desire H2654 (חָפֵץ) — properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire

26 My flesh and my heart faileth; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • My flesh H7607 (שְׁאֵר) — flesh (as swelling out), as living or for food; generally food of any kind; figuratively, kindred by blood
  • and my heart H3824 (לֵבָב) — the heart (as the most interior organ);
  • faileth H3615 (כָּלָה) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
  • God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
  • the strength H6697 (צוּר) — properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)
  • of my heart H3824 (לֵבָב) — the heart (as the most interior organ);
  • and my portion H2506 (חֵלֶק) — properly, smoothness (of the tongue); also an allotment
  • for ever H5769 (עוֹלָם) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially…

27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: Thou hast destroyed all them that play the harlot, departing from thee.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • For, lo, they that are far H7369 (רָחֵק) — remote
  • from thee shall perish H6 (אָבַד) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
  • thou hast destroyed H6789 (צָמַת) — to extirpate (literally or figuratively)
  • all them that go a whoring H2181 (זָנָה) — to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (the Jewish…

28 But it is good for me to draw near unto God: I have made the Lord Jehovah my refuge, That I may tell of all thy works.

Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):
  • But H589 (אֲנִי) — I
  • good H2896 (טוֹב) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good t…
  • for me to draw near H7132 (קְרָבָה) — approach
  • to God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
  • I have put H7896 (שִׁית) — to place (in a very wide application)
  • my trust H4268 (מַחֲסֶה) — a shelter (literally or figuratively)
  • in the Lord H136 (אֲדֹנָי) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only)
  • Yhwh H3069 (יְהֹוִה)
  • that I may declare H5608 (סָפַר) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e. celebrate
  • all thy works H4399 (מְלָאכָה) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)