The big picture
Psalms 73 opens in verse 1 with “Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 14 with “For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.”, and closes in verse 28 with “But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD , that I…” Repeated or prominent terms include heart, earth, foolish, good, know. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 28Psalms 73:1-7
1–7: Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
Psalms 73:1–7 opens with “Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.” and reaches “Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 73 develops its own movement around heart, earth, foolish, good, know, with particular weight carried by heart, bands, chain.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Psalms 73:1-7
King James Version1Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
2But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
Psalms 73:8-14
8–14: They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak…
Psalms 73:8–14 opens with “They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.” and reaches “For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 73 develops its own movement around heart, earth, foolish, good, know, with particular weight carried by chastened, cleansed, concerning.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
Psalms 73:8-14
King James Version8They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
Psalms 73:15-21
15–21: If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the…
Psalms 73:15–21 opens with “If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.” and reaches “Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 73 develops its own movement around heart, earth, foolish, good, know, with particular weight carried by awakest, awaketh, castedst.
Context that brings the passage to life
“If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.” The line’s distinctive content terms include children, generation, offend. Its relationship to verses 16 shows what work it does in this passage.
Psalms 73:15-21
King James Version15If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
17Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
18Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
21Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
Psalms 73:22-28
22–28: So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
Psalms 73:22–28 opens with “So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.” and reaches “But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD , that I may…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Psalms 73 develops its own movement around heart, earth, foolish, good, know, with particular weight carried by heart, beast, continually.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Psalms 73:22-28
King James Version22So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD , that I may declare all thy works.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 73:1 begins with “Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 73:11 forms a natural hinge: “And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?”
The final note
Psalms 73:28 leaves the reader with “But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD , that I may declare all thy works.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words heart, earth, foolish, good, know, Lord help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
- doth
- does
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.