Psalms 73:27

KJV

For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

For, lo, they that are far {H7369} from thee shall perish {H6}{H8799)}: thou hast destroyed {H6789}{H8689)} all them that go a whoring {H2181}{H8802)} from thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who adulterously leave you.

Berean Standard Bible

Those far from You will surely perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.

American Standard Version

For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: Thou hast destroyed all them that play the harlot, departing from thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 73:27 delivers a stark and definitive declaration from the psalmist Asaph, revealing the ultimate and inevitable destiny of those who intentionally distance themselves from God. This verse serves as a powerful culmination of Asaph's spiritual struggle, contrasting the fleeting prosperity of the wicked with the enduring justice of God, affirming that separation from the Divine Source leads to destruction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic statement in Asaph's profound spiritual journey documented in [Psalm 73](/psalms/73 "Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of the Wicked and God's Justice"). Initially, Asaph grappled with deep spiritual turmoil, observing the seemingly unhindered prosperity and arrogance of the wicked, which caused his own faith to waver and his feet to nearly slip ([Psalm 73:2](/psalms/73-2 "Psalm 73:2 - Asaph's Feet Almost Slipped")). He recounts their pride, violence, and apparent immunity to trouble ([Psalm 73:3-12](/psalms/73-3 "Psalm 73:3-12 - The Prosperity of the Wicked")). However, his perspective dramatically shifted upon entering the sanctuary of God, where he gained divine insight into their ultimate, sudden destruction ([Psalm 73:17](/psalms/73-17 "Psalm 73:17 - Asaph's Realization in the Sanctuary")). Verse 27, therefore, is not merely a warning but a triumphant affirmation of God's righteous judgment against those who forsake Him, directly preceding Asaph's personal declaration of the goodness of drawing near to God in [Psalm 73:28](/psalms/73-28 "Psalm 73:28 - Asaph's Declaration of Closeness to God").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of "whoring" (זָנָה, _zānâ_) is deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern covenant theology, particularly within Israel's relationship with Yahweh. In the Old Testament, the covenant between God and Israel was often depicted as a marriage, with God as the faithful husband and Israel as His bride. Therefore, any act of idolatry, turning to foreign gods, or adopting pagan practices was considered spiritual adultery, a profound betrayal of the covenant vows and a violation of the exclusive devotion owed to Yahweh ([Exodus 34:15-16](/exodus/34-15 "Exodus 34:15-16 - Warning Against Idolatry")). This metaphor underscored the gravity of spiritual unfaithfulness, portraying it not merely as a theological error but as a deeply personal and offensive act of betrayal against the divine Husband. The concept of "perishing" (אָבַד, _ʾābad_) for those "far from thee" also resonates with the Deuteronomic covenant curses, where disobedience and turning away from God led to severe consequences, including destruction and exile from the land ([Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Curses for Disobedience")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within [Psalm 73](/psalms/73 "Psalm 73 - God's Justice and the Fate of the Wicked") and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment**, asserting God's active role in bringing about the destruction of the unfaithful. This is not a passive consequence but a direct act of divine justice, emphasizing God's sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to righteousness. Secondly, the phrase "go a whoring from thee" highlights **Spiritual Adultery**, a pervasive Old Testament metaphor for idolatry, covenant unfaithfulness, and abandoning the exclusive relationship with God for worldly pursuits or false gods. It signifies a profound betrayal of loyalty that is due to God alone. Finally, the verse articulates the **Consequences of Separation**, equating being "far from thee" with perishing. This emphasizes that true life, flourishing, and security are found in intimate proximity to God, while spiritual distance inevitably leads to destruction, echoing the New Testament principle that [the wages of sin is death](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Far (Hebrew, רָחַק, _rāḥaq'_):** This word signifies a physical or spiritual distance. In the context of Psalm 73:27, it denotes a deliberate and profound spiritual alienation from God. It's not merely a lack of proximity but an active state of being removed or estranged, implying a turning away from the source of life and truth. This distance is a choice, leading to the stated consequence.
* **Perish (Hebrew, אָבַד, _ʾābad'_):** This term means to be lost, to be destroyed, to come to an end, or to vanish. It implies a complete ruin or cessation of existence in a meaningful sense. In a spiritual context, it refers to spiritual death, separation from God's life-giving presence, and ultimate destruction, contrasting sharply with the eternal life found in God's presence.
* **Go a whoring (Hebrew, זָנָה, _zānâ'_):** This verb literally means to commit fornication or harlotry. Theologically, it is a powerful and frequently used metaphor in the Old Testament to describe Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness to Yahweh, their covenant God. It encompasses idolatry, pursuing other gods, adopting pagan practices, or relying on foreign alliances instead of God. The imagery conveys the idea of a profound betrayal of a sacred, exclusive relationship, treating spiritual disloyalty as a moral and relational abomination.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish:"** This clause serves as a solemn declaration, drawing attention to a universal spiritual truth. "Far from thee" describes a state of spiritual estrangement, not necessarily physical distance. It implies a deliberate turning away from God, a rejection of His presence, His ways, and His covenant. The consequence for such a state is "perishing," signifying ultimate ruin, spiritual death, and separation from the source of life and blessing. This is the inevitable outcome for those who choose alienation from their Creator.
* **"thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee."** This second clause reinforces and intensifies the first, using a more active and specific verb. "Thou hast destroyed" emphasizes God's direct agency in judgment, underscoring His sovereignty and righteous wrath against sin. The phrase "go a whoring from thee" vividly portrays spiritual infidelity, using the powerful metaphor of sexual harlotry to denote betrayal of the exclusive covenant relationship with God. This includes idolatry, pursuing worldly desires over divine commands, and any act of unfaithfulness that breaks the sacred bond with Yahweh. The psalmist asserts that God actively brings destruction upon those who commit such spiritual treason.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 73:27 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Parallelism** is evident in the two clauses, where "they that are far from thee" is paralleled with "all them that go a whoring from thee," and "shall perish" is paralleled with "thou hast destroyed." This synonymous parallelism reinforces the central idea: spiritual distance and unfaithfulness inevitably lead to divine judgment and destruction. The phrase "go a whoring" is a powerful **Metaphor** for spiritual infidelity, drawing on the deeply offensive nature of sexual betrayal to illustrate the gravity of turning away from God. This imagery evokes strong emotional and moral condemnation. Furthermore, the verse uses **Contrast** implicitly with the psalmist's own journey, where he moves from near stumbling due to the prosperity of the wicked to a renewed understanding of God's justice and the goodness of drawing near to God ([Psalm 73:28](/psalms/73-28 "Psalm 73:28 - Asaph's Declaration of Closeness to God")). The stark warning of perishing for those far from God contrasts with the life and security found in His presence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 73:27 profoundly articulates God's unwavering justice and the severe consequences of spiritual apostasy. It underscores the biblical truth that God is not indifferent to human choices, particularly those that involve loyalty and faithfulness. The imagery of "whoring" emphasizes the deeply personal and relational nature of sin against God, portraying it as a betrayal of a sacred covenant, akin to marital infidelity. This highlights God's expectation of exclusive devotion and His righteous indignation towards idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness. The ultimate "perishing" signifies not merely physical death but a comprehensive destruction, a spiritual and existential separation from the source of all life and blessing. This truth serves as a foundational principle throughout Scripture, affirming that true life and flourishing are found only in intimate relationship with God, while separation inevitably leads to ruin.

* [Deuteronomy 30:19](/deuteronomy/30-19 "Deuteronomy 30:19 - Choose Life")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin is Death")
* [James 4:4](/james/4-4 "James 4:4 - Friendship with the World is Enmity with God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 73:27 serves as a sobering and vital reminder for all who seek to follow God. It compels us to examine the true object of our affections and loyalty. In a world constantly vying for our attention, offering fleeting pleasures and false securities, it is easy to unconsciously "go a whoring" after idols of success, comfort, material possessions, or even self-righteousness. This verse calls us to a radical self-assessment: are we actively drawing near to God, cultivating intimacy with Him, and prioritizing His will, or are we allowing spiritual distance to creep in, leading us down a path of ultimate destruction? It reassures us that while the wicked may seem to prosper for a time, God's justice is sure and inescapable. Our greatest security and joy are found not in worldly gain, but in steadfast devotion and proximity to the Living God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be unconsciously "whoring" after things that pull me away from God?**
* **How does the ultimate fate of those "far from God" deepen my appreciation for the grace and mercy shown to me in Christ?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to intentionally draw nearer to God and strengthen my spiritual intimacy with Him?**

### FAQ
**What does "go a whoring from thee" mean in a spiritual context?**

Answer: In a spiritual context, particularly in the Old Testament, "go a whoring from thee" (Hebrew: _zānâ_) is a powerful metaphor for spiritual infidelity and idolatry. It refers to Israel's unfaithfulness to their covenant with Yahweh, their God. Just as a wife's harlotry is a betrayal of her husband, Israel's worship of other gods, reliance on foreign alliances, or pursuit of worldly ways instead of God's commands was considered a profound act of betrayal against the exclusive devotion owed to the one true God. This imagery emphasizes the deeply personal and offensive nature of turning away from God, treating spiritual disloyalty as a violation of a sacred, exclusive relationship ([Exodus 34:15-16](/exodus/34-15 "Exodus 34:15-16 - Warning Against Idolatry")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalm 73:27 warns of the perishing of those far from God and those who "go a whoring" from Him, the New Testament reveals the ultimate solution to this spiritual alienation through Jesus Christ. Humanity's natural state is one of being "far off" from God due to sin ([Ephesians 2:13](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13 - Made Near by the Blood of Christ")), having gone astray like sheep without a shepherd ([Isaiah 53:6](/isaiah/53-6 "Isaiah 53:6 - All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray")). Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), came precisely to bridge this chasm. His atoning sacrifice on the cross paid the ultimate price for our spiritual "whoring" and rebellion, making it possible for us to be reconciled to God ([2 Corinthians 5:19](/2_corinthians/5-19 "2 Corinthians 5:19 - God Reconciling the World to Himself")). Through faith in Him, we are no longer "far off" but "brought near by the blood of Christ" ([Ephesians 2:13](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13 - Made Near by the Blood of Christ")). He is the one who gathers those who were scattered and brings them into an intimate, covenant relationship with God, offering eternal life instead of perishing ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Thus, the stark warning of Psalm 73:27 finds its ultimate resolution and hope in the redemptive work of Christ, who transforms spiritual distance into divine intimacy.

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

James 4:4

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Psalms 119:155

¶ Salvation [is] far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.

Exodus 34:15

Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and [one] call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;

Numbers 15:39

And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:

Revelation 17:1

¶ And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

Revelation 17:5

And upon her forehead [was] a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Psalms 106:39

Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.