New English Translation
Psalms 73:3
3For I envied those who are proud, as I observed the prosperity of the wicked.
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
1Certainly God is good to Israel, and to those whose motives are pure! 2But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my feet almost slid out from under me. For I envied those who are proud, as I observed the prosperity of the wicked. 4For they suffer no pain; their bodies are strong and well-fed. 5They are immune to the trouble common to men; they do not suffer as other men do.
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 fret when wicked men seem to succeed! Do not envy evildoers!
- Job 21:7“Why do the wicked go on living, grow old, even increase in power?
- Proverbs 3:31Do not envy a violent man, and do not choose to imitate any of his ways;
- Proverbs 24:1Do not envy evil people, do not desire to be with them;
- Jeremiah 12:1Lord, you have always been fair whenever I have complained to you. However, I would like to speak with you about the disposition of justice. Why are wicked people successful? Why do all dishonest people have such easy lives?
- James 4:5Or do you think the scripture means nothing when it says, “The spirit that God caused to live within us has an envious yearning”?
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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