Psalms 73:17

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Until I went {H935}{H8799)} into the sanctuary {H4720} of God {H410}; then understood {H995}{H8799)} I their end {H319}.

Complete Jewish Bible

until I went into the sanctuaries of God and grasped what their destiny would be.

Berean Standard Bible

until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.

American Standard Version

Until I went into the sanctuary of God, And considered their latter end.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 73:17 marks the profound turning point in Asaph's spiritual crisis, where his deep-seated doubts about divine justice, fueled by the apparent prosperity of the wicked, are dramatically resolved. This pivotal verse describes his transformative encounter with God's presence in the sanctuary, leading to a revelatory understanding of the ultimate, inevitable destiny awaiting those who live apart from God, thereby restoring his faith and perspective.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The preceding verses (Psalms 73:1-16) vividly portray Asaph's intense internal struggle. He confesses that his feet had "almost stumbled" (Psalms 73:2) as he envied the arrogant and boastful wicked, who seemed to live carefree lives, free from the common troubles of humanity (Psalms 73:3-5). He observed their pride, violence, and scoffing against God (Psalms 73:6-11), leading him to question the value of his own righteousness, feeling that his efforts to maintain a pure heart were "in vain" (Psalms 73:13-14). This deep spiritual turmoil, where he wrestled with the problem of evil and divine justice, culminates in verse 16, where he admits his attempts to understand this paradox were "painful" and beyond his comprehension until the decisive moment described in verse 17. This verse thus serves as the dramatic pivot, shifting the psalm from lament and doubt to understanding and renewed faith.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Asaph was a prominent Levitical choirmaster during the time of David (1 Chronicles 16:4-5, 1 Chronicles 25:1-2), indicating his role in the temple worship. The "sanctuary of God" (מִקְדָּשׁ, _miqdash'_) refers to the tabernacle or, later, the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of Israelite worship, sacrifice, and divine encounter. In ancient Israel, the temple was not merely a building but the symbolic dwelling place of God's presence (Shekinah). Entering it implied a deliberate act of seeking God, whether for worship, prayer, or seeking divine counsel through the priests or prophets. The cultural understanding of justice in the ancient Near East often linked prosperity with divine favor and suffering with divine displeasure. Asaph's struggle reflects a common human dilemma, but within a theological framework where God's justice was expected to be evident in temporal affairs.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 73:17 is central to several profound themes. It highlights the stark contrast between **human perspective and divine perspective**, demonstrating how earthly appearances can deceive and lead to spiritual disorientation, while God's eternal truth brings clarity. The verse powerfully illustrates the **transformative power of God's presence**; it is only by drawing near to God in His holy dwelling that Asaph gains the necessary insight. This leads to the theme of **divine justice and the ultimate destiny of the wicked**, revealing that while the ungodly may flourish temporarily, their "end" is one of inevitable destruction and judgment, a truth further elaborated in [Psalms 73:18-19](/psalms/73-18 "Psalms 73:18-19 - The Slippery Path of the Wicked"). Finally, the verse encapsulates the **resolution of spiritual doubt**, offering a pathway from profound confusion and envy to renewed faith and trust in God's sovereign plan, a journey echoed in other psalms like [Psalms 37](/psalms/37 "Psalms 37 - Trust in the Lord") and [Psalms 49](/psalms/49 "Psalms 49 - The Folly of Trusting in Riches").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sanctuary (Hebrew, _miqdash'_):** This term (מִקְדָּשׁ) denotes a "consecrated place," "holy place," or "temple." It signifies a space set apart for God's exclusive presence and worship, where divine revelation and communion were expected. It's not merely a physical structure but a spiritual locus of encounter with the Most High, emphasizing the sacredness and the unique access to divine truth it provided.
* **Understood (Hebrew, _bin'_):** The verb (בִּין) implies a deep, discerning comprehension, a profound insight that goes beyond mere intellectual knowledge. It suggests a revelatory understanding, a spiritual discernment that fundamentally shifts one's perspective and resolves internal conflict. It's the "aha!" moment of clarity, indicating a divinely granted insight that transforms one's entire outlook.
* **End (Hebrew, _acharith'_):** This word (אַחֲרִית) refers to the "ultimate outcome," "latter end," or "destiny." When applied to the wicked, as here, it carries a strong connotation of finality, destruction, and judgment, contrasting sharply with their temporary earthly prosperity. It speaks to the ultimate consequence of their choices, revealing the transient nature of their success.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Until I went into the sanctuary of God;":** This clause marks the decisive turning point in Asaph's spiritual journey. His intellectual and emotional struggle, fueled by the apparent injustice of the world, reached its limit, and he sought refuge and answers in the designated place of divine presence. This act signifies a deliberate turning from human reasoning and worldly observation to a posture of seeking God's perspective through worship, prayer, and meditation on His truth. It is a spiritual pilgrimage from confusion to clarity, highlighting the necessity of drawing near to God for true understanding.
* **"[then] understood I their end.":** The conjunction "then" highlights the immediate and direct consequence of entering the sanctuary. The understanding gained was not a result of further human deliberation but a divine impartation. "Their end" refers to the ultimate destiny of the wicked—their inevitable ruin, destruction, and judgment, despite their temporary earthly prosperity. This revelation provides the crucial missing piece to Asaph's theological puzzle, resolving his envy and doubt by revealing the transient nature of worldly success and the eternal consequences of rejecting God.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 73:17 employs several potent literary devices. The entire psalm functions as a **Dramatic Monologue**, allowing the reader to witness Asaph's raw, internal struggle and his eventual breakthrough. The phrase "Until I went into the sanctuary of God" serves as a powerful **Turning Point** or **Climax**, shifting the narrative from lament and questioning to resolution and understanding. The "sanctuary" itself functions as a profound **Symbolism** for divine presence, revelation, and the locus of truth, contrasting sharply with the worldly perspective Asaph previously held. The **Juxtaposition** between Asaph's initial earthly understanding and his subsequent divine insight underscores the theme of divine perspective. Finally, the abrupt clarity of "understood I their end" acts as a **Revelation**, a sudden unveiling of truth that dispels the psalmist's deep-seated confusion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 73:17 powerfully articulates the necessity of a divine perspective to correctly interpret earthly realities, especially the perplexing prosperity of the wicked. Asaph's journey from near apostasy to profound understanding underscores that true wisdom is not found in human observation or reasoning alone, but in drawing near to God and allowing His truth to illuminate our understanding. This verse serves as a timeless reminder that God’s justice, though sometimes delayed, is always certain, and the ultimate destiny of all humanity is determined by their relationship with Him, not by their temporal circumstances. It reinforces the biblical principle that all earthly success is fleeting, but eternal consequences are immutable.

* [Psalms 37:1-2](/psalms/37-1 "Psalms 37:1-2 - Fret not yourself because of evildoers")
* [Proverbs 24:19-20](/proverbs/24-19 "Proverbs 24:19-20 - Do not fret because of evildoers")
* [Luke 16:19-31](/luke/16-19 "Luke 16:19-31 - The Rich Man and Lazarus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world where injustice often seems to prevail and the unrighteous appear to flourish, Psalms 73:17 offers a vital anchor for the soul. Like Asaph, we can easily become disoriented when we judge life solely by what we see around us – the apparent ease of those who disregard God, or the struggles of those who faithfully follow Him. This verse calls us to shift our gaze from the horizontal to the vertical, from the temporal to the eternal. When doubts arise, or envy tempts our hearts, our most crucial step is to enter "the sanctuary of God" – not necessarily a physical building, but a posture of heart that seeks God's presence through prayer, worship, diligent study of His Word, and communion with His people. It is in this sacred space of encounter that God grants clarity, reveals His sovereign plan, and reminds us that His justice will ultimately prevail, ensuring that every life finds its true and eternal "end." This divine perspective frees us from the snare of comparison and anchors our hope in God's unfailing righteousness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "sanctuary" do you enter when faced with confusion or doubt about God's justice?**
* **How does focusing on the "end" or ultimate destiny of individuals change your perspective on their current circumstances?**
* **In what ways can you cultivate a deeper awareness of God's presence in your daily life to gain divine perspective?**

### FAQ
**What does "the sanctuary of God" mean for believers today?**

Answer: For ancient Israel, the "sanctuary" (מִקְדָּשׁ, _miqdash'_) was the physical tabernacle or temple, the designated place of God's dwelling and worship. For believers today, while we no longer have a physical temple as the sole locus of God's presence, the principle remains. "Entering the sanctuary" signifies drawing near to God in any context where His presence is sought and His truth is revealed. This includes personal prayer and meditation, corporate worship with fellow believers, diligent study of God's Word (which is living and active, [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Word of God is Living and Active")), and seeking counsel from wise, godly individuals. The New Testament teaches that believers are individually "temples of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")) and collectively form God's spiritual dwelling place ([Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - Built Together for God's Dwelling")). Therefore, "entering the sanctuary" is about cultivating an intimate, ongoing relationship with God, allowing His perspective to shape our understanding of life's perplexing realities.

**How does Asaph's experience relate to the problem of evil?**

Answer: Asaph's struggle in Psalms 73 directly addresses the "problem of evil" or theodicy – the question of how a good and powerful God can allow evil and suffering, particularly when the wicked seem to prosper and the righteous suffer. Before entering the sanctuary, Asaph was deeply troubled by the apparent injustice of the world, where the arrogant and ungodly seemed to escape trouble and flourish (Psalms 73:3-12). His faith was shaken because his human observation could not reconcile this reality with God's promised justice. His breakthrough in verse 17, where he understood "their end," reveals that God's justice is not always immediate or evident in temporal terms, but it is ultimately certain and eternal. The "end" of the wicked is destruction, while the "end" of the righteous is eternal communion with God (Psalms 73:23-26). This perspective shift provides a theological framework for understanding that God's justice operates on an eternal timeline, far beyond our limited human view.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 73:17 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who is the true "sanctuary of God" and the ultimate revelation of divine truth. Asaph found clarity by entering a physical temple, but in Christ, God's presence is fully embodied. Jesus declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" ([John 2:19](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus, the True Temple")), referring to His own body. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus became the new and living way to approach God ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - The New and Living Way")). In Him, we not only gain understanding of the wicked's "end" – their judgment – but also the glorious "end" of the righteous: eternal life and communion with God. Jesus Himself is the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), providing the means for sinners to escape the judgment that awaits those who reject God. He is the wisdom of God ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")), and by drawing near to Him through faith, we receive the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth")). Thus, Asaph's experience foreshadows the profound and complete clarity that is found only in Christ, who perfectly reconciles divine justice with divine love, and reveals the eternal destiny of all.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ecclesiastes 8:12

Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his [days] be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:

Ecclesiastes 8:13

But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong [his] days, [which are] as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.

Luke 12:20

But God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

Psalms 27:4

One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

Psalms 77:13

Thy way, O God, [is] in the sanctuary: who [is so] great a God as [our] God?

Psalms 37:37

Mark the perfect [man], and behold the upright: for the end of [that] man [is] peace.

Psalms 37:38

But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.