Psalms 73:10

Psalm 73:10 KJV: "Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full [cup] are wrung out to them."

Context of Psalm 73:10

Psalm 73 is a profound wisdom psalm by Asaph, a chief musician for King David. It recounts Asaph's personal spiritual crisis as he grappled with the apparent prosperity and ease of the wicked, while the righteous seemed to suffer. His feet had almost slipped (Psalm 73:2) as he observed their pride, violence, and scoffing against God (Psalm 73:6-9). Verse 10, therefore, describes the consequence or impact of this observation, particularly on "his people," which can refer either to the wicked's followers or to the people of God who are tempted by the allure of worldly success and are drawn back to such an outlook.

Key Themes and Messages

• The Allure of Worldly Prosperity: The verse highlights how the visible success and ease of the wicked can draw others, even believers, away from steadfast faith. "His people return hither" suggests a drawing back to the wicked's ways, influence, or perspective, captivated by their apparent lack of trouble.
• The "Full Cup" of Experience: The phrase "waters of a full [cup] are wrung out to them" is subject to various interpretations due to its poetic nature. It can imply:
  • The wicked are so abundant in their prosperity that they dispense it to their followers, who eagerly drink from this worldly abundance.
  • Alternatively, and perhaps more aligned with Asaph's eventual realization, it suggests that those who follow the wicked or envy them eventually drink deeply from a cup of bitter experience, sorrow, or disillusionment. The "full cup" could represent the wicked's overflowing measure of sin, which ultimately leads to a draining or wringing out of negative consequences for those associated with them.
• Spiritual Temptation: This verse powerfully captures the dangerous temptation to abandon biblical principles or question God's justice when faced with the apparent ease and success of those who disregard God.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's supplied word "[cup]" is a common biblical metaphor for destiny, experience, or judgment (e.g., Psalm 11:6, Isaiah 51:17). The Hebrew word for "wrung out" (מָצָא, matsa') can mean 'to find', 'to draw out' (as in drawing water from a well), or 'to drain'. This ambiguity contributes to the verse's varied interpretations, suggesting either that people find/draw from the wicked's abundance, or that they are drained/experience bitter waters themselves, reflecting the internal struggle Asaph faced.

Practical Application

Psalm 73:10 serves as a potent reminder for believers to maintain spiritual discernment in a world that often values success over righteousness. It cautions against envying the wicked or being drawn into their worldview. True prosperity and lasting joy are found not in worldly gain, but in a close relationship with God, as Asaph himself discovered when he entered the sanctuary and understood the ultimate end of the wicked (Psalm 73:17). This verse encourages us to trust in God's ultimate justice and to remember that the "full cup" of worldly success is often fleeting and can lead to bitter consequences for those who pursue it.