Psalms 73

“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.

“But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.” The line’s distinctive content terms include feet, gone, nigh. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.” The line’s distinctive content terms include plagued, trouble. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.” Naming Their keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.” The line’s distinctive content terms include concerning, corrupt, loftily. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.

“They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.” The line’s distinctive content terms include earth, heavens, mouth. Its relationship to verses 8 and 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.” The line’s distinctive content terms include increase, prosper, riches. Its relationship to verses 11 and 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.” Naming Verily keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“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.

“When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;” The line’s distinctive content terms include know, painful, thought. Its relationship to verses 15 and 17 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.” Naming Until keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.” Naming Surely keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.” The line’s distinctive content terms include consumed, desolation, moment. Its relationship to verses 18 and 20 shows what work it does in this passage.

“As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.” The line’s distinctive content terms include grieved, heart, pricked. Its relationship to verses 20 shows what work it does in this passage.

“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.

“Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.” Naming Nevertheless keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“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.” The verse names God and Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.