King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
For I was envious at the foolish, [when] I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Complete Jewish Bible:
when I grew envious of the arrogant and saw how the wicked prosper.
Berean Standard Bible:
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
American Standard Version:
For I was envious at the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
For I was envious{H7065}{H8765)} at the foolish{H1984}{H8802)}, when I saw{H7200}{H8799)} the prosperity{H7965} of the wicked{H7563}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Job 21:7
- ¶ Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?
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.
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?
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.
James 4:5
- Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Psalms 73:3
Psalm 73:3, penned by Asaph, a Levite and one of the leaders of King David's choir, captures a moment of personal struggle and spiritual reflection. The verse expresses the psalmist's envy towards the foolish—those who live without regard for God's laws—when he observes their apparent prosperity and ease. This sentiment reflects a common theme in the Wisdom Literature of the Bible, where the righteous often grapple with the seeming success of the wicked, which appears to contradict the just order they believe God has established.
In the historical context, Asaph's words resonate with the experiences of the Israelites who, despite their covenant with God, witnessed the success of neighboring nations and individuals who did not follow the Lord. This tension between faith and experience raises questions about divine justice and theodicy—the vindication of divine goodness and providence in the face of evil.
The verse sets the stage for the rest of Psalm 73, where Asaph works through his doubts and comes to a renewed understanding of God's sovereignty and righteousness. He ultimately concludes that the prosperity of the wicked is temporary and that their ultimate end is destruction, while those who remain faithful to God will be sustained and ultimately rewarded. This realization leads to a deeper trust in God's wisdom and justice, despite the appearances of worldly success and failure.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7065
There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָנָא
Transliteration: qânâʼ
Pronunciation: kaw-naw'
Description: a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e. (in a bad sense) jealous or envious; (be) envy(-ious), be (move to, provoke to) jealous(-y), [idiom] very, (be) zeal(-ous). - Strong's Number: H1984
There are 140 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָלַל
Transliteration: hâlal
Pronunciation: haw-lal'
Description: a primitive root; to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify; (make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(-ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine. - Strong's Number: H7200
There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָאָה
Transliteration: râʼâh
Pronunciation: raw-aw'
Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. - Strong's Number: H7965
There are 208 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלוֹם
Transliteration: shâlôwm
Pronunciation: shaw-lome'
Description: or שָׁלֹם; from שָׁלַם; safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace; [idiom] do, familiar, [idiom] fare, favour, [phrase] friend, [idiom] great, (good) health, ([idiom] perfect, such as be at) peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty), salute, welfare, ([idiom] all is, be) well, [idiom] wholly. - Strong's Number: H7563
There are 249 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָשָׁע
Transliteration: râshâʻ
Pronunciation: raw-shaw'
Description: from רָשַׁע; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person; [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.