Psalms 73 · Verse 3

Psalms 73:3

For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Psalms 73:3, King James Version

Psalms 73:3 in other translations

BSBFor I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
WEBFor I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
ASVFor I was envious at the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
YLTThe peace of the wicked I see, That there are no bands at their death,
DARBYFor I was envious at the arrogant, seeing the prosperity of the wicked.
BBEBecause of my envy of the men of pride, when I saw the well-being of the wrongdoers.
WebsterFor I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

What does Psalms 73:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 73:3-9
3-9. The prosperous wicked are insolently proud (compare Psa 5:5). They die, as well as live, free from perplexities: pride adorns them, and violence is their clothing; indeed they are inflated with unexpected success. With all this--

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 I was envious at the foolish - I saw persons who worshipped not the true God, and others who were abandoned to all vices, in possession of every temporal comfort, while the godly were in straits, difficulties, and affliction. I began then to doubt whether there was a wise providence; and my mind became irritated. It seems to have been a maxim among the ancient heathens, Θεου ονειδος τους κακους ευδαιμονειν, "The prosperity of the wicked is a reproach to the gods." But they had no just conception of a state of future rewards and punishments. Besides, man could not bear prosperity. If men had uninterrupted comforts here, perhaps not one soul would ever seek a preparation for heaven. Human trials and afflictions, the general warfare of human life, are the highest proof of a providence as benevolent as it is wise. Were the state of human affairs different from what it is, hell would be more thickly peopled; and there would be fewer inhabitants in glory. There is reason to doubt whether there would be any religion upon earth had we nothing but temporal prosperity. Indeed, all the following verses are proofs of it.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 73:1-14

The psalmist was strongly tempted to envy the prosperity of the wicked; a common temptation, which has tried the graces of many saints. But he lays down the great principle by which he resolved to abide. It is the goodness of God. This is a truth which cannot be shaken. Good thoughts of God will fortify against Satan's temptations. The faith even of strong believers may be sorely shaken, and ready to fail. There are…

Read the full comment on Psalms 73:1-14 →

Psalms 73:3 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.

כִּֽי\־ki-forH3588
קִ֭נֵּאתִיKi.ne.tiI was jealousH7065
בַּֽהוֹלְלִ֑יםba.ho.Limof the boastersH1984
שְׁל֖וֹםshe.Lom[the] well-being ofH7965
רְשָׁעִ֣יםre.sha.'Imwicked [people]H7563
אֶרְאֶֽה\׃'er.'EhI sawH7200

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

Cross references for Psalms 73:3

  • Job 21:7

    Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

  • Jeremiah 12:1

    Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

  • Psalms 37:7

    Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

  • Proverbs 23:17

    Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long.

  • Psalms 37:1

    A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

  • Proverbs 24:1

    Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.

  • Proverbs 3:31

    Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

  • James 4:5

    Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
I was.
37:1,7; Job 21:7; Pr 3:31; 24:1; Jer 12:1; Jas 4:5

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

Context

  • Psalms 73:2

    But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

  • Psalms 73:3

    For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

  • Psalms 73:4

    For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.

Read all of Psalms 73

Psalms 73:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque tuve envidia de los insensatos, viendo la prosperidad de los impíos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car j’ai porté envie aux arrogants, en voyant la prospérité des méchants.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn ich beneidete die Übermütigen, als ich sah die Wohlfahrt der Gesetzlosen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Leva manus tuas in superbias eorum in finem: quanta malignatus est inimicus in sancto!