God’s Word Translation
Psalms 73:3
3because I was envious of arrogant people when I saw the prosperity that wicked people enjoy.
Psalms 73:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
- New International Version (NIV)For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Context of Psalms 73:3
1God is truly good to Israel, to those whose lives are pure. 2But my feet had almost stumbled. They had almost slipped because I was envious of arrogant people when I saw the prosperity that wicked people enjoy. 4They suffer no pain. Their bodies are healthy. 5They have no drudgery in their lives like ordinary people. They are not plagued ⌞with problems⌟ like others.
Read all of Psalms 73Psalms 73:3 word by word
כִּֽי־קִ֭נֵּאתִי בַּֽהוֹלְלִ֑ים שְׁל֖וֹם רְשָׁעִ֣ים אֶרְאֶֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 73:3
- Psalms 37:1Do not be preoccupied with evildoers. Do not envy those who do wicked things.
- Job 21:7“Why do the wicked go on living, grow old, and even become more powerful?
- Proverbs 3:31Do not envy a violent person. Do not choose any of his ways.
- Proverbs 24:1Do not envy evil people or wish you were with them,
- Jeremiah 12:1O Lord, even if I would argue my case with you, you would always be right. Yet, I want to talk to you about your justice. Why do wicked people succeed? Why do treacherous people have peace and quiet?
- James 4:5Do you think this passage means nothing? It says, “The Spirit that lives in us wants us to be his own.”
Commentaries on Psalms 73:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3I 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, , "The prosperity of the wicked is a reproach to the gods." But they had no just…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3For 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 Psalm 14:1. When I saw the prosperity of the wicked - More literally, “the peace of the wicked.” The reference is not so much to their prosperity in general as to their peace; their conscious safety; their freedom from trouble; and especially their calmness, and their…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2-3The poet thinks it is unfair that wicked people prosper (see Psalm 72:7) and feels upset about it. The psalmist almost strayed from the path of wisdom and godliness (see Psalm 17:5; 37:31), but God prevented him from completely losing his way (38:16; 66:9; 94:18; 121:3). when I saw the prosperity of the wicked: Compare Psalm 72:3, 7.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3-93-9. The prosperous wicked are insolently proud (compare Psa 5:5). They die, as well as live, free from perplexities: pride adorns them, and violence is their clothing; indeed they are inflated with unexpected success. With all this--Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 73:3
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 73
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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