Psalms 73:13

Psalms 73:13 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
• New International Version (NIV)Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence.
• English Standard Version (ESV)All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, And washed my hands in innocence.

Context of Psalms 73:13

11They say, “How does God know what we do? Is the sovereign one aware of what goes on?” 12Take a good look! This is what the wicked are like, those who always have it so easy and get richer and richer. I concluded, “Surely in vain I have kept my motives pure and maintained a pure lifestyle. 14I suffer all day long, and am punished every morning.” 15If I had publicized these thoughts, I would have betrayed your loyal followers.

Psalms 73:13 word by word

אַךְ־רִ֭יק זִכִּ֣יתִי לְבָבִ֑י וָאֶרְחַ֖ץ בְּנִקָּי֣וֹן כַּפָּֽי׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Verily I have cleansedזָכָהzâkâh · to cleanH2135
• my heartלֵבָבlêbâb · heartH3824
• vainרִיקrîyq · vainH7385
• and washedרָחַץrâchats · to wash: washH7364
• my handsכַּףkaph · palmH3709
• in innocencyנִקָּיוֹןniqqâyôn niqqâyôn · innocenceH5356

Cross-references for Psalms 73:13

• Job 9:27If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression and be cheerful,’
• Job 21:15Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain if we were to pray to him?’
• Job 34:9For he says, ‘It does not profit a man when he makes his delight with God.’
• Job 35:3But you say, ‘What will it profit you,’ and, ‘What do I gain by not sinning?’
• Malachi 3:14You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God. How have we been helped by keeping his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord who rules over all?
• Psalms 24:4The one whose deeds are blameless and whose motives are pure, who does not lie, or make promises with no intention of keeping them.
• Psalms 26:6I maintain a pure lifestyle, so I can appear before your altar, O Lord,
• Psalms 51:10Create for me a pure heart, O God! Renew a resolute spirit within me!
• Hebrews 10:19Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus,
• James 4:8Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded.

Commentaries on Psalms 73:13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13I have cleansed my heart in vain - It is no advantage to us to worship the true God, to walk according to the law of righteousness, and keep the ordinances of the Most High.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain - That is, There is no advantage in all my efforts to become pure and holy. It does not assist me in obtaining the favor of God; and it would be just as well to live a sinful life - to indulge in the pleasures of sense - to make the world my portion. Nothing is to be gained by all my painful efforts at self-discipline; by all my endeavors to become righteous. It would have been as well for me - or better - if I had…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13-14These rhetorical questions expect a discouraging “yes” as an answer. The psalmist wonders if godliness has become a meaningless ritual (see Malachi 3:14–15). my heart: This refers to his whole being. The psalmist’s pain comes from discipline and rebuke (Psalm 39:11; Proverbs 1:23, 25; 12:1).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 13-1413-14. The Psalmist, partaking of these troubles, is especially disturbed in view of his own case, that with all his diligent efforts for a holy life, he is still sorely tried.Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 73:13

• Ablution
• Blindness
• Doubting
• Integrity
• Meditation
• Murmuring
• Rich, the
• Temptation
• Washing
• Wicked (People)
• Worldliness

In the dictionaries

• Asaph
• Counsel
• Fatness
• Glory
• Hand
• Loftily
• Manasseh
• Mouth
• Psalms
• Receive

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