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

Context of Psalms 73:13

11And they say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?” 12Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches. Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, And washed my hands in innocence. 14For all day long I have been plagued, And chastened every morning. 15If I had said, “I will speak thus,” Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of 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 put off my sad face and wear a smile,’
• Job 21:15Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?’
• Job 34:9For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing That he should delight in God.’
• Job 35:3For you say, ‘What advantage will it be to You? What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?’
• Malachi 3:14You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God; What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, And that we have walked as mourners Before the Lord of hosts?
• Psalms 24:4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.
• Psalms 26:6I will wash my hands in innocence; So I will go about Your altar, O Lord,
• Psalms 51:10Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
• Hebrews 10:19Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,
• James 4:8Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse 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