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

11“What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” 12Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? 14I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. 15If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people.

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 decided to forget my complaints, to put away my sad face and be cheerful,
• Job 21:15Who is the Almighty, and why should we obey him? What good will it do us to pray?’
• Job 34:9He has even said, ‘Why waste time trying to please God?’
• Job 35:3For you also ask, ‘What’s in it for me? What’s the use of living a righteous life?’
• Malachi 3:14“You have said, ‘What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the Lord of Heaven’s Armies that we are sorry for our sins?
• Psalms 24:4Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.
• Psalms 26:6I wash my hands to declare my innocence. I come to your altar, O Lord,
• Psalms 51:10Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.
• Hebrews 10:19And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus.
• James 4:8Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

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