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Psalms 73:18

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Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

Surely thou didst set {H7896}{H8799)} them in slippery places {H2513}: thou castedst them down {H5307}{H8689)} into destruction {H4876}.

Indeed, you place them on a slippery slope and make them fall to their ruin.

Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.

Surely thou settest them in slippery places: Thou castest them down to destruction.

Commentary

Psalm 73:18 is a pivotal verse in Asaph's psalm, revealing a profound shift in his understanding of divine justice. After wrestling with the apparent prosperity and arrogance of the wicked (as detailed in the earlier verses of this psalm), Asaph gains clarity in the sanctuary of God regarding their ultimate end.

Context

Psalm 73 opens with Asaph confessing his near stumble in faith, envying the wicked who seemed to live without trouble, growing in power and wealth (see Psalm 73:2-12). He felt his own righteousness was in vain. The turning point comes in verse 17, where he enters God's sanctuary and perceives their end. Verse 18 is a direct revelation of that end, contrasting sharply with their earlier perceived stability.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Judgment: This verse underscores God's active role in the destiny of the wicked. Their downfall is not accidental but a result of God's righteous judgment.
  • The Precariousness of Worldly Success: The "slippery places" highlight that the prosperity of the unrighteous, however impressive it may seem, is inherently unstable and temporary. It lacks a firm foundation.
  • Ultimate Destruction: Despite their earthly flourishing, the wicked are ultimately "casted down into destruction." This signifies a complete and irreversible ruin, emphasizing the stark contrast between their temporary pleasure and eternal consequence.
  • God's Sovereignty: The phrase "Surely thou didst set them" points to God's ultimate control over all things, including the timing and manner of judgment.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "slippery places" is chalaqlaqqah (חֲלַקְלַקּוֹת), which conveys a sense of smoothness, slipperiness, and treacherousness. It's not just a physical slipperiness but implies a moral or existential precariousness, where a fall is inevitable.
  • "Destruction" comes from the Hebrew mash'u'oth (מַשּׁוּאוֹת), meaning desolations, ruins, or waste. It denotes a comprehensive and utter undoing, emphasizing the finality of their judgment.

Related Scriptures

This truth about the wicked's end is echoed throughout Scripture. For instance, Psalm 37:20 similarly states that "the wicked shall perish," and Proverbs 14:12 warns that "there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." The New Testament also speaks of the ultimate separation and judgment for those who reject God, as seen in Matthew 7:13 concerning the broad road that leads to destruction.

Practical Application

For believers, Psalm 73:18 offers a crucial perspective and comfort. It reminds us not to be swayed by the temporary success or apparent injustice in the world. Our hope and security are not found in earthly prosperity, but in our relationship with God, who is the ultimate judge. This verse encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing and justice, even when circumstances seem to contradict His character. It calls us to live righteously, knowing that true stability and lasting joy are found only in Him, not in the "slippery places" of worldly gain.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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 35:6 (8 votes)

    Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.

  • Jeremiah 23:12 (7 votes)

    Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery [ways] in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, [even] the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.

  • Deuteronomy 32:35 (5 votes)

    To me [belongeth] vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in [due] time: for the day of their calamity [is] at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

  • Psalms 55:23 (4 votes)

    But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

  • Psalms 94:23 (4 votes)

    And he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; [yea], the LORD our God shall cut them off.

  • Psalms 92:7 (3 votes)

    ¶ When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; [it is] that they shall be destroyed for ever:

  • Psalms 37:35 (3 votes)

    I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.