Psalms 73:21

KJV

¶ Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus my heart {H3824} was grieved {H2556}{H8691)}, and I was pricked {H8150}{H8709)} in my reins {H3629}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When I had a sour attitude and felt stung by pained emotions,

Berean Standard Bible

When my heart was grieved and I was pierced within,

American Standard Version

For my soul was grieved, And I was pricked in my heart:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 73:21 captures the profound internal distress and acute remorse Asaph experienced upon realizing the spiritual folly and bitterness of his envious thoughts. This pivotal verse vividly portrays the deep, almost physical, pain of conviction that penetrated to his innermost being, signifying a turning point from doubt and comparison to a renewed understanding of God's perfect justice and unwavering presence. It is a confession of his misguided perspective, born from a comparison of his own suffering with the apparent prosperity of the wicked, marking the moment his heart was truly transformed by divine revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 73:21 serves as a crucial turning point and retrospective lament within Asaph's deeply personal spiritual autobiography. It immediately follows his profound breakthrough in [the sanctuary of God](/psalms/73-17 "Psalms 73:17 - Asaph Enters the Sanctuary"), where divine understanding illuminated the ultimate, perilous end of the wicked. Prior to this revelation, Asaph openly confessed that his faith had nearly faltered, his "feet had almost slipped," due to his envy of the prosperous ungodly ([Psalms 73:2-3](/psalms/73-2 "Psalms 73:2-3 - Asaph's Near Fall and Envy")). This envy led him to question the very value of his own purity and righteous living, lamenting, "Surely in vain have I cleansed my heart" ([Psalms 73:13](/psalms/73-13 "Psalms 73:13 - Asaph Questions His Purity")). Having received clarity on the fleeting nature of the wicked's success and their ultimate destruction ([Psalms 73:18-20](/psalms/73-18 "Psalms 73:18-20 - The Wicked's Slippery Path")), verse 21 encapsulates his immediate, painful confession of the grievous error of his previous mindset. It then sets the stage for his subsequent self-condemnation as "foolish and ignorant" ([Psalms 73:22](/psalms/73-22 "Psalms 73:22 - Asaph's Confession of Foolishness")) and his powerful declaration of God's enduring presence and goodness, culminating in his renewed commitment to God's praise ([Psalms 73:23-28](/psalms/73-23 "Psalms 73:23-28 - Asaph's Renewed Faith and Conclusion")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Asaph, a prominent Levitical musician, choirmaster, and prophet during the reigns of King David and Solomon, composed this psalm from the perspective of a devout Israelite living under the Mosaic covenant. In ancient Israel, a strong expectation often prevailed that adherence to God's covenant would result in material blessings and prosperity, while wickedness would lead to immediate suffering (as outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). When this expected correlation appeared to be contradicted by the apparent success of the wicked and the struggles of the righteous, it frequently posed a significant theological challenge, leading to spiritual crises, much like those explored in the book of [Job](/job/1 "Job 1 - Job's Righteousness and Suffering") and other lament psalms. The concept of the "reins" (kidneys) as the seat of deep emotions, conscience, and innermost thoughts was a common anthropological understanding in ancient Near Eastern and Hebrew cultures. This indicates that the pain Asaph felt was not superficial but penetrated to the very core of his being, where moral and spiritual decisions, as well as the most intimate affections, were believed to reside.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prominent in Psalms 73 and the broader wisdom literature. Firstly, it highlights the **destructive nature of envy and a skewed perspective**, demonstrating how comparing oneself to the unrighteous can lead to profound spiritual bitterness and a questioning of God's justice and sovereignty. Secondly, it underscores the **necessity of divine revelation and the sanctuary** (or drawing near to God in worship and contemplation) as the only true source of wisdom and eternal perspective, contrasting human folly with God's unchanging truth. Thirdly, it emphasizes the vital theme of **confession and repentance** as essential, often painful, steps in spiritual restoration. Asaph's candid admission of his error demonstrates that acknowledging one's misguided thoughts and feelings is crucial for genuine spiritual growth and healing. Finally, it implicitly points to the **ultimate triumph of God's righteousness and the enduring value of His presence** over fleeting worldly prosperity, setting the stage for Asaph's profound and renewed commitment to God as his ultimate good.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Grieved (Hebrew, _châmêts'_ H2556):** This verb, derived from a primitive root, literally means "to be pungent," "sour," or "leavened." In this context, it signifies a deep, internal bitterness or resentment that has fermented and soured within Asaph's heart. It describes not mere sadness, but a corrosive, acidic emotion that has tainted his disposition and spiritual outlook, reflecting his earlier envy and questioning of God's justice. The word conveys a sense of something having gone bad or become rancid internally.
* **Pricked (Hebrew, _shânan'_ H8150):** A primitive root meaning "to point," "to pierce," or "to sting." Intensively, it means to "sharpen" or "inculcate." Here, it conveys a sudden, sharp, cutting, or penetrating pain. It describes an intense pang of conscience or conviction that pierces Asaph's innermost being, indicating a painful, acute awareness of his foolishness and sin. It is a spiritual jolt that awakens him abruptly to the truth of his error.
* **Reins (Hebrew, _kilyâh'_ H3629):** This feminine noun, typically used in the plural (_kilyot_), literally refers to the kidneys. In ancient Hebrew thought, the "reins" were considered the seat of the deepest emotions, thoughts, conscience, and moral discernment—the very core of one's being, where the most intimate affections and moral judgments resided. To be "pricked in my reins" signifies that the conviction was not superficial but reached the profoundest depths of his inner self, implying a severe, internal spiritual anguish and moral distress.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus my heart was grieved":** This clause describes the profound emotional and spiritual state of Asaph immediately *after* his transformative revelation in the sanctuary. The adverb "thus" directly links his current feeling of bitterness and remorse to his previous misguided thoughts, envy, and questioning of God's ways. His "heart" (Hebrew: _lêbâb_), understood as the center of his will, intellect, and emotion, was deeply soured and embittered by his distorted perspective and his challenge to God's justice. This grief is a painful, retrospective recognition of his own profound spiritual error and folly.
* **"and I was pricked in my reins":** This second clause intensifies the description of Asaph's internal pain, indicating a sharp, piercing sensation of conviction that struck him at the deepest level of his being. The "reins" (Hebrew: _kilyot_) symbolize his innermost thoughts, conscience, and moral core. The feeling of being "pricked" suggests a sudden, acute awareness of his sin and folly, a spiritual sting that penetrated beyond superficial emotion to his very conscience, leading to profound remorse and a compelling desire for change and alignment with God's truth.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 73:21 employs rich **Imagery** and **Metaphor** to convey Asaph's profound internal state. The phrase "my heart was grieved" uses the metaphor of a souring or fermenting substance (implied by the Hebrew root _châmêts_) to describe the corrosive, bitter effect of envy and spiritual questioning on his inner being. The imagery of being "pricked in my reins" is particularly striking, using a physical sensation (a sharp sting or piercing) to describe a deep spiritual and psychological pain. The "reins" themselves function as a powerful **Metonymy** for his innermost being, conscience, and deepest emotions, emphasizing the profound depth of his conviction. This verse also functions as a powerful moment of **Confession**, where Asaph retrospectively acknowledges the profound error of his previous thoughts and feelings, setting the stage for his subsequent repentance and renewed faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 73:21 is a profound theological statement on the nature of conviction, the path to spiritual clarity, and the transformative power of divine perspective. It reveals that true spiritual insight often follows a painful confrontation with one's own folly and sin. Asaph's experience underscores the biblical truth that our internal state, particularly our thoughts, attitudes, and comparisons, profoundly impacts our spiritual well-being. When we allow envy, bitterness, or a distorted view of God's justice to fester, it "grieves" the heart and can lead to deep spiritual anguish. However, this conviction, though painful, is a divine mercy—a "pricking" that leads to repentance and a proper alignment with God's truth. It highlights the indispensable importance of discerning God's perspective, especially when faced with the apparent prosperity of the wicked, and trusting in His ultimate justice and goodness rather than succumbing to human comparison and bitterness. This verse beautifully illustrates the process of repentance, where painful self-awareness leads to spiritual restoration.

* [Proverbs 23:7](/proverbs/23-7 "Proverbs 23:7 - As a man thinks in his heart")
* [Jeremiah 17:9-10](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9-10 - The Deceitfulness of the Heart and God's Knowledge")
* [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Living and Active Word of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Asaph's raw and honest confession in Psalms 73:21 offers a timeless mirror for believers today. In a world saturated with social media, curated appearances, and the constant highlight reel of others' lives, it is incredibly easy to fall into the same trap of comparison that ensnared Asaph. We see the seemingly effortless success, wealth, or happiness of others, often without knowing their true struggles, the source of their prosperity, or their ultimate destiny. In turn, our hearts can become "grieved" with envy, bitterness, or even resentment, leading us to question God's fairness and goodness in our own lives. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that such comparisons are a spiritual poison, leading to internal distress and a distorted view of reality. When our hearts are "pricked" by the Holy Spirit, convicting us of our misguided thoughts, sinful attitudes, or misplaced priorities, it is not for condemnation but for restoration. This discomfort is a divine invitation to acknowledge our folly, repent, and return to the liberating truth that God’s presence is our ultimate good, far surpassing any fleeting worldly gain. Embracing this conviction, rather than resisting it, is the path to profound spiritual healing, clarity, and a renewed, unwavering trust in God's perfect plan and unwavering love for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you find yourself comparing your circumstances or blessings to others, and how does this affect your heart and spiritual well-being?**
* **Have you experienced a "pricking in your reins"—a deep, painful conviction about a particular attitude, thought pattern, or sin? How did you respond to that divine discomfort?**
* **How does intentionally seeking God's presence and perspective (like Asaph entering the sanctuary) help to heal a "grieved" heart and correct a distorted worldview?**
* **What practical, proactive steps can you take to guard your heart against the spiritual poisons of envy and bitterness when faced with the apparent prosperity or success of others, particularly those who do not honor God?**

### FAQ
**What does "pricked in my reins" mean in the context of Psalms 73:21?**

Answer: "Pricked in my reins" is a vivid Hebrew idiom that describes a sharp, painful, and penetrating conviction that reaches the very core of one's being. The "reins" (Hebrew: *kilyot*) literally refer to the kidneys, which in ancient Hebrew thought were considered the seat of the deepest emotions, conscience, and innermost thoughts, akin to the modern understanding of the heart, mind, or gut. To be "pricked" (Hebrew: *shanán*) means to be pierced, stung, or sharply cut. Thus, Asaph is expressing a profound, almost physical, spiritual anguish and remorse that penetrated to his deepest moral and emotional center, a painful realization of his own foolishness and sin in questioning God's justice. It signifies a deep, internal conviction, not just a superficial sadness, leading to a transformative change in perspective.

**Why did Asaph feel this way, and what led to this realization?**

Answer: Asaph felt "grieved" and "pricked in his reins" because he had previously been consumed by envy and bitterness over the apparent prosperity and ease of the wicked, while he, a righteous person, suffered affliction. He had questioned the very value of maintaining a pure heart, feeling that his devotion to God was in vain ([Psalms 73:13](/psalms/73-13 "Psalms 73:13 - Asaph Questions His Purity")). His profound realization came when he entered the "sanctuary of God" ([Psalms 73:17](/psalms/73-17 "Psalms 73:17 - Asaph Enters the Sanctuary")), where he gained divine insight into the ultimate, fleeting end of the wicked and the eternal security and good of those who trust in God. This new, divine perspective exposed the utter folly and sinfulness of his previous thoughts, leading to the profound remorse and confession expressed in [Psalms 73:21](/psalms/73-21 "Psalms 73:21 - Asaph's Confession of Grief").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Asaph's journey from bitter envy and spiritual confusion to profound conviction and renewed faith in Psalms 73:21 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Christ. Asaph's "grieved heart" and "pricked reins" represent the universal human condition of spiritual distress, internal conflict, and the painful confrontation with our own sin and the perceived injustices of the world—a deep-seated anguish that only true divine wisdom can assuage. Jesus, as the embodiment of divine wisdom ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1-corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption")), offers the ultimate sanctuary where all who are weary and heavy-laden with the burdens of sin and a distorted worldview can find true rest for their souls ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). His perfect life, atoning death on the cross ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")), and glorious resurrection fully expose the fleeting nature of worldly prosperity and the eternal weight and consequence of sin, providing the definitive and complete answer to Asaph's dilemma. Through the work of Christ, the Holy Spirit convicts us not to leave us in despair, but to lead us to genuine repentance and new, abundant life ([John 16:8](/john/16-8 "John 16:8 - The Work of the Holy Spirit in Conviction")). He is the true 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")), offering complete forgiveness and cleansing for the very bitterness, envy, and folly that grieved Asaph's heart. In Him, we receive not just a change of perspective, but a new heart and a new spirit ([Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and Spirit")), transforming our innermost being and enabling us to truly declare, with Asaph, that God's presence is our ultimate and eternal good ([Psalms 73:28](/psalms/73-28 "Psalms 73:28 - Asaph's Conclusion of Trust in God")).

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

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.

Job 16:13

His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.

Psalms 73:3

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

Psalms 37:1

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

Lamentations 3:13

He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins.