Psalms 73:28

But [it is] good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

But {H589} it is good {H2896} for me to draw near {H7132} to God {H430}: I have put {H7896}{H8804)} my trust {H4268} in the Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}, that I may declare {H5608}{H8763)} all thy works {H4399}.

But for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made Adonai ELOHIM my refuge, so that I can tell of all your works.

But as for me, it is good to draw near to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may proclaim all Your works.

But it is good for me to draw near unto God: I have made the Lord Jehovah my refuge, That I may tell of all thy works.

Commentary

Psalm 73:28 stands as the powerful culmination of Asaph’s spiritual journey detailed throughout Psalm 73. After a period of intense doubt and envy concerning the prosperity of the wicked, the psalmist arrives at a profound realization: true good and enduring peace are found only in drawing near to God and trusting in Him, leading to a desire to proclaim His greatness.

Context

The preceding verses of Psalm 73 describe Asaph's honest struggle. He confesses that his "feet were almost gone" (Psalm 73:2) as he envied the apparent ease and success of the wicked, while he himself experienced affliction. His perspective dramatically shifts when he "went into the sanctuary of God" (Psalm 73:17), where he understood their ultimate, perilous end. This final verse, therefore, is a declaration of his renewed faith, perspective, and purpose, contrasting sharply with his earlier despair.

Key Themes

  • The Supreme Good of Closeness to God: Asaph emphatically states that the ultimate benefit and source of true joy is to "draw near to God." This signifies an intimate, personal relationship and active communion with the divine, which far surpasses any worldly comfort or success.
  • The Foundation of Trust: The psalmist declares, "I have put my trust in the Lord GOD." This is an affirmation of unwavering reliance on God's character, sovereignty, and faithfulness, especially after witnessing His justice and control from a divine perspective. Such trust brings stability and peace amidst life's challenges.
  • The Purpose of Proclamation: The natural outflow of drawing near to God and trusting Him is the desire to "declare all thy works." This transforms personal experience into public testimony, motivating believers to share God's goodness, power, and justice with others.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb for "draw near" is qarab (קָרַב), which conveys a sense of approaching for intimate fellowship, worship, or service. It's not merely physical proximity but a spiritual inclination and devotion. The divine title "Lord GOD" in KJV often translates the Hebrew Adonai Yahweh (אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה). Adonai signifies "my Lord" or "Master," emphasizing God's absolute authority, while Yahweh (often rendered LORD) is God's covenant name, highlighting His personal and faithful presence. Together, they stress God's sovereign power and His unwavering commitment to His people. To "declare" (נָגַד, nagad) means to tell, report, or make known, implying a public and intentional proclamation.

Practical Application

Psalm 73:28 provides a profound blueprint for navigating life's complexities and spiritual struggles. In a culture that often measures success by material wealth or social status, this verse powerfully reminds us that our greatest good lies in a vibrant, personal relationship with God. When doubts arise or when the prosperity of the wicked seems unjust, our anchor is to boldly draw near to God's throne of grace. This intimacy fosters deep trust in the Lord, enabling us to stand firm. Ultimately, our experience of God's goodness and faithfulness should compel us to declare His marvelous works, becoming witnesses of His transformative power and ultimate justice to a world searching for meaning.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 40:5 (17 votes)

    Many, O LORD my God, [are] thy wonderful works [which] thou hast done, and thy thoughts [which are] to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: [if] I would declare and speak [of them], they are more than can be numbered.

  • James 4:8 (14 votes)

    Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.

  • Hebrews 10:19 (13 votes)

    ¶ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

  • Hebrews 10:22 (13 votes)

    Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

  • Lamentations 3:25 (10 votes)

    The LORD [is] good unto them that wait for him, to the soul [that] seeketh him.

  • Lamentations 3:26 (10 votes)

    [It is] good that [a man] should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

  • Psalms 65:4 (10 votes)

    Blessed [is the man whom] thou choosest, and causest to approach [unto thee, that] he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, [even] of thy holy temple.