Psalms 73:5

KJV

They [are] not in trouble [as other] men; neither are they plagued like [other] men.

KJV (with Strong's)

They are not in trouble {H5999} as other men {H582}; neither are they plagued {H5060}{H8792)} like {H5973} other men {H120}.

Complete Jewish Bible

they don't have ordinary people's troubles, they aren't plagued like others.

Berean Standard Bible

They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men.

American Standard Version

They are not in trouble asothermen; Neither are they plagued likeothermen.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 73:5 captures the psalmist Asaph's initial, human observation that the wicked appear exempt from the common hardships and afflictions that befall humanity. This perceived ease and lack of suffering among the ungodly stands in stark contrast to the struggles often experienced by the righteous, fueling Asaph's profound crisis of faith and prompting him to question divine justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 73 is a wisdom psalm, specifically a lament, attributed to Asaph, one of King David's chief musicians. It forms part of the first collection of Asaphite psalms (Psalms 73-83). The psalm opens with Asaph's confession of a near spiritual stumble, admitting his envy of the arrogant due to their apparent prosperity and peace ([Psalm 73:2-3](/psalms/73-2 "Psalm 73:2-3 - Asaph's Feet Almost Slipped")). Verse 5 is a direct articulation of this observation, detailing the outward comfort of the ungodly that so vexed the psalmist. The entire psalm traces Asaph's journey from this initial, limited perspective to a profound shift in understanding after he enters God's sanctuary ([Psalm 73:17](/psalms/73-17 "Psalm 73:17 - Asaph's Turning Point in the Sanctuary")), where he grasps the ultimate, eternal destiny of both the wicked and the righteous.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, and the broader Ancient Near East, there was often a strong correlation between obedience to God and material blessing, and conversely, between disobedience and suffering (Deuteronomic theology). This perspective, while rooted in covenant promises, could lead to a simplistic interpretation that outward prosperity always signified divine favor and hardship divine disfavor. Asaph's struggle reflects a common theological dilemma: how to reconcile God's justice with the observable reality that the wicked often flourished while the righteous suffered. The "troubles" and "plagues" mentioned were common human experiences—toil, sickness, misfortune—which the wicked seemed to avoid, challenging the conventional understanding of divine retribution in their lifetime.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to the psalm's overarching exploration of **theodicy**, the theological problem of reconciling divine justice and goodness with the existence of evil and suffering. It highlights the **deceptive appearance of prosperity**, where outward ease masks an inner spiritual emptiness and a bleak eternal future. The verse also underscores the theme of **human envy and doubt**, demonstrating how a limited, temporal perspective can lead to spiritual stumbling when one focuses solely on present circumstances rather than God's ultimate plan. Asaph's journey in the psalm moves from this initial **superficial observation** to a deeper **eternal understanding** of God's righteous judgment and the true blessedness of being near God, a theme echoed in [Psalm 37:1-2](/psalms/37-1 "Do Not Fret Because of Evildoers").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Trouble (Hebrew, _‘āmāl_):** This word (עָמָל) carries the connotation of wearisome toil, burdensome labor, misery, or distress. It often refers to the hardship and suffering inherent in the human condition, particularly as a result of the fall (e.g., [Genesis 3:17](/genesis/3-17 "Genesis 3:17 - The Curse on the Ground")). In Psalms 73:5, it suggests the common struggles, frustrations, and painful experiences that are part of life for "other men," from which the wicked appear exempt.
* **Plagued (Hebrew, _nega‘_):** The term (נֶגַע) refers to a stroke, blow, or affliction, often implying a severe physical ailment, a calamity, or even a divine judgment. It can denote a more intense or specific form of suffering than _‘āmāl_. The psalmist observes that the wicked seem to escape these more pointed or severe forms of suffering and divine correction that often befall humanity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They [are] not in trouble [as other] men":** This clause expresses Asaph's perception that the wicked do not experience the common human struggles, sorrows, and toils that are typical for the majority of people. They appear to live lives of ease, free from the burdens and hardships that define the existence of "other men" (אֱנוֹשׁ, _‘enosh_ – frail, mortal humanity).
* **"neither are they plagued like [other] men.":** Building on the first clause, this further emphasizes the apparent immunity of the wicked from severe afflictions, calamities, or divine visitations. They seem to escape the more intense forms of suffering, whether physical, emotional, or circumstantial, that often serve as chastisement or simply as part of the human lot.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Contrast** as its primary literary device, setting the seemingly trouble-free existence of the wicked against the common, suffering experience of "other men." This stark juxtaposition highlights the psalmist's deep bewilderment and frustration. There is also an element of **Hyperbole** in Asaph's observation; while the wicked certainly face troubles, the psalmist's intense emotional state leads him to exaggerate their apparent immunity to underscore his theological dilemma. The verse functions as a direct **Observation**, presented as a factual statement from Asaph's limited, earthly perspective, which the rest of the psalm will ultimately challenge and correct.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 73:5 encapsulates a profound theological tension concerning God's justice in the face of apparent worldly inequities. It confronts the common human tendency to evaluate divine favor based on outward circumstances, challenging the simplistic notion that prosperity is always a sign of righteousness and suffering a mark of divine displeasure. The verse forces the reader to grapple with the reality that God's ways are often inscrutable from a purely human vantage point, and His justice operates on a timeline and according to principles far beyond our immediate comprehension. The psalm's resolution reminds us that true blessedness is found not in the absence of trouble, but in the presence of God and an eternal perspective that transcends temporal appearances.

* [Jeremiah 12:1](/jeremiah/12-1 "Jeremiah's Complaint About the Wicked Prospering")
* [Job 21:7](/job/21-7 "Job's Question About the Prosperity of the Wicked")
* [Psalm 37:1](/psalms/37-1 "Do Not Fret Because of Evildoers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 73:5 serves as a potent mirror for our own hearts, revealing how easily we can fall into the trap of judging God's faithfulness or a person's standing based on their outward circumstances. In a world that often equates success with blessing and hardship with failure, this verse cautions us against such superficial assessments. It calls us to cultivate a deeper, eternal perspective, understanding that true prosperity is spiritual and relational, not material or circumstantial. When we observe the ungodly flourishing, or ourselves enduring trials, this psalm encourages us not to let our feet slip in doubt or envy, but to anchor our hope in God's ultimate justice and His unwavering presence, knowing that His plan unfolds beyond our immediate sight. Our comfort and security are found not in avoiding trouble, but in drawing near to God, regardless of our present circumstances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically react when I observe unrighteous individuals experiencing apparent success and ease, while I or others I know face significant challenges?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to equate material prosperity or the absence of suffering with God's favor, either for myself or for others?**
* **What does the journey of Asaph in Psalm 73, starting from this verse, teach me about the importance of an eternal perspective in navigating life's inequities?**

### FAQ
**Does Psalms 73:5 imply that righteous people always suffer and wicked people never do?**

Answer: No, Psalms 73:5 reflects Asaph's initial, limited, and deeply emotional perception, not a universal theological truth. The psalmist is expressing his profound frustration and envy at the *apparent* ease of the wicked, which stood in stark contrast to his own struggles and those of other faithful individuals. The entire psalm, particularly from [Psalm 73:17](/psalms/73-17 "Psalm 73:17 - Asaph's Turning Point in the Sanctuary") onward, serves to correct this very misconception. Asaph comes to realize that the wicked's prosperity is fleeting and their end is destruction, while the righteous, despite their troubles, have an enduring inheritance in God. God's people do experience blessings, and the wicked do face troubles, but Asaph's point is the *outward appearance* of their freedom from common human suffering, which challenged his faith.

**How does the rest of Psalm 73 address the problem raised in verse 5?**

Answer: The turning point in Psalm 73 occurs in [Psalm 73:17](/psalms/73-17 "Psalm 73:17 - Asaph Enters the Sanctuary"), when Asaph enters God's sanctuary. In this sacred space, he gains a divine, eternal perspective that completely transforms his understanding. He realizes that the prosperity of the wicked is a dangerous illusion, placing them on "slippery places" leading to sudden destruction and eternal ruin ([Psalm 73:18-19](/psalms/73-18 "Psalm 73:18-19 - The Wicked on Slippery Places")). Conversely, he understands that his own relationship with God, despite temporal suffering, is his ultimate good and eternal security ([Psalm 73:23-26](/psalms/73-23-26 "Psalm 73:23-26 - God's Presence is My Good")). This shift from a temporal to an eternal viewpoint resolves his spiritual crisis, affirming God's perfect justice and the enduring blessedness of those who draw near to Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 73:5, with its lament over the apparent ease of the wicked, finds its ultimate resolution and reinterpretation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Asaph wrestled with the seeming injustice of the world, Christ perfectly embodied righteousness yet experienced the deepest possible "trouble" and "plague." He was "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Man of Sorrows")), enduring not only the common human afflictions but also the unique suffering of bearing the world's sin. His life was marked by rejection, poverty, and persecution, culminating in the ultimate "plague" of divine judgment on the cross ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Christ's Suffering for Our Sins")). Yet, through His suffering, Christ transformed the meaning of trouble and plague. He bore the full weight of God's wrath, ensuring that those who believe in Him will not face eternal condemnation, but rather inherit eternal life and glory ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). The apparent prosperity of the wicked is revealed as a fleeting illusion in light of Christ's eternal kingdom, which is "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")). Believers are called to share in Christ's sufferings, knowing that such participation leads to ultimate glory and conformity to His image ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ"); [Philippians 3:10](/philippians/3-10 "Philippians 3:10 - Sharing in Christ's Sufferings")). Thus, the Christ-centered perspective transcends Asaph's initial lament, revealing that true blessedness is found not in the absence of earthly trouble, but in union with the suffering and glorified Savior.

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 73:12

Behold, these [are] the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase [in] riches.

Job 21:9

Their houses [are] safe from fear, neither [is] the rod of God upon them.

Revelation 3:19

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Jeremiah 12:1

¶ Righteous [art] thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of [thy] judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? [wherefore] are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

Jeremiah 12:2

Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou [art] near in their mouth, and far from their reins.

Job 21:6

Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.

1 Corinthians 11:32

But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.