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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?

Context of Psalms 73:13

11They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?” 12This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. 14All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. 15If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children.

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 smile,’
• Job 21:15Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?’
• Job 34:9For he says, ‘There is no profit in trying to please God.’
• Job 35:3Yet you ask him, ‘What profit is it to me, and what do I gain by not sinning?’
• Malachi 3:14“You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty?
• Psalms 24:4The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.
• Psalms 26:6I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, Lord,
• Psalms 51:10Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
• Hebrews 10:19Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
• James 4:8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, 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