Psalms 73:21

Psalms 73:21 captures the psalmist Asaph's profound internal distress and regret after realizing the folly of his previous thoughts. This verse is a pivotal moment in his spiritual journey, marking a confession of his misguided perspective.

Context of Psalms 73:21

Psalm 73 is a deeply personal reflection by Asaph, a chief musician and seer in King David's time. The psalm opens with his startling confession that his feet had almost slipped (Psalms 73:2) because he envied the prosperity of the wicked. He observed their apparent ease, wealth, and lack of troubles, while he, a righteous person, suffered affliction daily. This led him to question the value of maintaining a pure heart (Psalms 73:13). Verse 21 occurs after his transformative moment in the sanctuary of God (Psalms 73:17), where he gained divine understanding of the ultimate fate of the wicked. Having seen their true end, he looks back at his earlier bitterness with deep remorse.

Key Themes and Messages

• The Destructive Nature of Envy: Asaph's grievance stemmed directly from his envy of the unrighteous. This verse powerfully illustrates how such thoughts can poison the soul, causing deep internal pain and distorting one's spiritual vision.
• Internal Conviction and Remorse: The language "grieved" and "pricked" signifies a sharp, painful awareness of sin and foolishness. It's a genuine conviction that leads to repentance and a change of heart.
• Confession of Foolishness: Following this verse, Asaph explicitly calls himself "foolish, and ignorant" (Psalms 73:22). This admission is crucial for spiritual growth, acknowledging one's error in the light of divine truth.
• The Value of God's Perspective: Asaph's suffering was not alleviated until he viewed his situation through God's eternal perspective, understanding that worldly prosperity is fleeting while God's presence is eternal good.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "pricked in my reins" uses vivid imagery from the original Hebrew. The word "reins" (Hebrew: kilyot) literally refers to the kidneys, which in ancient Hebrew thought were often considered the seat of one's deepest emotions, conscience, and innermost being, akin to the heart. To be "pricked" (Hebrew: shanán) means to be sharpened or pierced, indicating a sharp, cutting pain or deep conviction that penetrates to the core of one's being. This is not merely surface-level sadness but a profound, almost physical, spiritual anguish resulting from his realization.

Practical Application

Psalms 73:21 offers vital lessons for believers today:

• Beware of Comparison: Like Asaph, we can easily fall into the trap of comparing our lives, struggles, and blessings with others, especially those who seem to prosper without regard for God. This can lead to bitterness and questioning God's fairness.
• Trust God's Justice: Even when circumstances seem unfair, this verse reminds us to trust in God's ultimate justice and His perfect timing. His ways are higher than our ways, and His perspective transcends our limited understanding.
• Embrace Conviction: When our hearts are "pricked" by conviction, it is often the Holy Spirit guiding us to acknowledge our errors and return to a right relationship with God. This internal pain, though uncomfortable, is a necessary step towards spiritual healing and growth. It's a reminder that God's Word is sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit.
• Seek God's Sanctuary: Just as Asaph found clarity in the sanctuary, we find clarity and perspective when we draw near to God in prayer, worship, and His Word.