Psalm 73:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!

NIV: How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!

NASB: How they are destroyed in a moment! They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!

CSB: How suddenly they become a desolation! They come to an end, swept away by terrors.

NLT: In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors.

KJV: How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

NKJV: Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.

Asaph's revelation about the wicked (Psalm 73:17–18) included the fact that God's judgment of them will be sudden (Acts 12:23). They will be destroyed in a moment. Terror will hold them in a death grip. This is at least a partial answer to the bitterness (Psalm 73:21) and angst of his initial complaint (Psalm 73:2–3). It is frustrating to suffer while honoring God, only to see some who defy Him living what appear to be comfortable lives. And yet, not only does their sin put them at risk of disaster (Proverbs 9:13–18), it guarantees them an eternity of judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

Just as the wicked people of Asaph's day seemed stable and happy, so too did the later king of Babylon, Belshazzar. Just as his judgment came with sudden catastrophe, so will be the end of those who reject God and celebrate their own sin (Psalm 73:8–9).

Belshazzar arrogantly hosted an elaborate banquet for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of them (Daniel 5:1). He and all his guests committed blasphemy by drinking wine from the temple's vessels and by praising idols (Daniel 5:2–4). But suddenly God announced Belshazzar's judgment by a finger that wrote on the plaster of a wall. Belshazzar was so terrified by the mysterious writing that he was notably shaken (Daniel 5:6). He learned from the prophet Daniel that God found him lacking and his kingdom would fall to the Medes and Persians (Daniel 5:26–28). That night those enemies seized the kingdom and Belshazzar was killed (Daniel 5:30–31).

Psalm 73:15–28 gives a fitting resolution to Asaph's complaint (Psalm 73:2–3). He was disturbed by the contrast between the seemingly prosperous wicked and the difficulties of the righteous. Many today feel the same conflict. An eternal perspective gave the answer he needed to those hard examples. In short, wickedness does come with risks, and earthly life is not all there is to our existence. Even in the context of the natural world, evil invites negative consequences and disaster. In eternity, judgment on godlessness is absolutely guaranteed.

Seeing godless people thrive, even as they hatefully mock God, while believers suffer, leads many people to a crisis of faith. This was the case for Asaph. Using exaggerated imagery, he complains to the Lord that it seems as if evil people have easy lives, while godly people suffer. Further reflection reminds Asaph that sin does lead to consequences, both in this life and the next. He confesses his sins of bitterness and resolves to trust God more deeply.

This psalm is the first in a collection which corresponds to Leviticus and the overall theme of worship. Asaph, who wrote Psalm 73, confesses that seeing prosperity among wicked people brought him bitterness and envy. That nearly caused him to lose trust in God. Carefully considering God and His eternal truth led Asaph to a stronger faith. Job chapter 21, in which trial-laden Job also complains about the success of some wicked people, mentions many of the same ideas as Psalm 73.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.