Psalms 73 · Verse 16

Psalms 73:16

When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
Psalms 73:16, King James Version

Psalms 73:16 in other translations

BSBWhen I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight
WEBWhen I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me—
ASVWhen I thought how I might know this, It was too painful for me;
YLTAnd I think to know this, Perverseness it is in mine eyes,
DARBYWhen I thought to be able to know this, it was a grievous task in mine eyes;
BBEWhen my thoughts were turned to see the reason of this, it was a weariness in my eyes;
WebsterWhen I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

What does Psalms 73:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 73:16-17
16-17. Still he-- thought--literally, "studied," or, "pondered this riddle"; but in vain; it remained a toil (compare Margin), till he--

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 16 When I thought to know this - When I reviewed the history of our fathers, I saw that, though thou hadst from time to time hidden thy face because of their sins, yet thou hadst never utterly abandoned them to their adversaries; and it was not reasonable to conclude that thou wouldst do now what thou hadst never done before; and yet the continuance of our captivity, the oppressive hardships which we suffer, and the small prospect there is of release, puzzle me again. These things have been very painful to me.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 73:15-20

The psalmist having shown the progress of his temptation, shows how faith and grace prevailed. He kept up respect for God's people, and with that he restrained himself from speaking what he had thought amiss. It is a sign that we repent of the evil thoughts of the heart, if we suppress them. Nothing gives more offence to God's children, than to say it is vain to serve God; for there is nothing more contrary to their…

Read the full comment on Psalms 73:15-20 →

Psalms 73:16 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וָֽ֭אֲחַשְּׁבָהVa.'a.cha.she.vahand I thought !H2803
לָדַ֣עַתla.Da.'atto knowH3045
זֹ֑אתZotthisH2063
עָמָ֖ל'a.Mal[was] troubleH5999
ה֣וּאHu'itH1931
בְעֵינָֽי\׃ve.'ei.Naiin view myH5869

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 73:16

  • Ecclesiastes 8:17

    Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

  • John 16:18-19

    They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?

  • Proverbs 30:2-3

    Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.

  • Romans 11:33

    O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

  • Psalms 97:2

    Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

  • Luke 18:32-34

    For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again. And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

  • Psalms 77:19

    Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.

  • Psalms 36:6

    Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O Lord, thou preservest man and beast.

  • Psalms 39:6

    Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
When.
36:6; 77:19; 97:2; Pr 30:2,3; Ec 8:17; Ro 11:33
too painful for me. Heb. labour in mine eyes.
39:6; Lu 18:32-34; Joh 16:18,19

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 73:15

    If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

  • Psalms 73:16

    When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

  • Psalms 73:17

    Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

Read all of Psalms 73

Psalms 73:16 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Pensaré pues para saber esto: es á mis ojos duro trabajo,
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Quand j’ai médité pour connaître cela, ce fut un travail pénible à mes yeux,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Da dachte ich nach, um dieses zu begreifen: eine mühevolle Arbeit war es in meinen Augen;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Tuus est dies, et tua est nox; tu fabricatus es auroram et solem.