Psalms 73:7

Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

Their eyes {H5869} stand out {H3318}{H8804)} with fatness {H2459}: they have more {H5674}{H8804)} than heart {H3824} could wish {H4906}.

Their eyes peep out through folds of fat; evil thoughts overflow from their hearts.

From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild.

Their eyes stand out with fatness: They have more than heart could wish.

Commentary

Psalm 73:7 (KJV) is a vivid part of Asaph's lament concerning the apparent prosperity and arrogance of the wicked, a theme central to the initial verses of this psalm. He grapples with the seeming injustice that those who disregard God often enjoy great material success.

Context

This verse is found within the opening section of Psalm 73, where Asaph, a chief musician and seer, expresses his personal struggle and envy (Psalm 73:3) over the ease and wealth of the unrighteous. He observes their lack of trouble and their strength, culminating in this description of their excessive indulgence and satisfaction.

Key Themes

  • Material Excess and Indulgence: The phrase "Their eyes stand out with fatness" literally depicts an unhealthy physical manifestation of overindulgence, perhaps even gluttony. It suggests a life of luxury where physical appetites are unrestrained.
  • Arrogance and Pride: Beyond the physical, this imagery often symbolizes spiritual blindness and arrogance. Their prosperity has made them insensitive, self-satisfied, and oblivious to spiritual realities or the suffering of others. Their "eyes" are focused entirely on their own abundance. This theme is further explored in Proverbs 16:18, which warns against pride.
  • Unsatisfied Worldly Desires: "They have more than heart could wish" highlights an extreme level of material wealth and gratification. They lack nothing in worldly terms; their every desire is met, leading to a dangerous complacency and a false sense of security that ignores eternal consequences.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "fatness" here is chelev (Χ—Φ΅ΧœΦΆΧ‘), which can refer to richness, the best part, or literally fat. While sometimes used positively (e.g., the fat of sacrifices as the best portion for God), here it is used pejoratively to denote excessive, unhealthy indulgence. The verb for "stand out" (yashat) implies bulging or protruding, reinforcing the visual of physical excess and perhaps the unpleasantness of their appearance due to gluttony.

Practical Application

Psalm 73:7 serves as a powerful reminder not to be deceived by outward appearances of worldly success. What may seem like blessing or favor from God can, in fact, be a path to spiritual emptiness and pride. The true measure of prosperity is not in what one possesses but in one's relationship with God. Asaph's journey in this psalm ultimately leads him to understand the ultimate end of the wicked and the enduring goodness of God to the righteous.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 17:10

    They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

  • Job 15:27

    Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on [his] flanks.

  • Jeremiah 5:28

    They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.

  • Psalms 73:12

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

  • Ezekiel 16:49

    Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.

  • Luke 12:16

    And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

  • Luke 12:19

    And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, [and] be merry.
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