Psalm 73:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,

NIV: When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,

NASB: When my heart was embittered And I was pierced within,

CSB: When I became embittered and my innermost being was wounded,

NLT: Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.

KJV: Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.

NKJV: Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind.

Asaph began this psalm expressing his envy and angst over the existence of wicked, prosperous people (Psalm 73:1–3). He came to realize the error of his attitude when he more carefully considered God's truth (Psalm 73:15–17). Here, he confesses that some of his error was in bitterness, which is closely related to envy. Pain and anxiety come in many forms, but when we are sour at the thought that we "should" be experiencing something else, that's bitterness.

Looking at various English translations of this verse helps to capture the depth of emotion which Asaph experienced. A key phrase is rendered as "pricked in heart" (ESV), "pierced within" (NASB), "innermost being was wounded" (CSB), or "heart was grieved" (NIV).

Believers today may harbor bad attitudes until they are convicted by the Holy Spirit, and such temptations are natural (1 Corinthians 10:13). It is important to respond positively to the Spirit's convicting ministry and not grieve or quench Him (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19). The proper course of action to take when convicted is to confess the sin earnestly and sincerely and determine by God's grace not to repeat it. First John 1:9 promises: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." It would be wrong to misinterpret the meaning of the Holy Spirit's convicting ministry. The conviction does not mean we no longer belong to God because we have sinned; instead, it is evidence that we do belong to Him.

Asaph, in that same way, was able to bring his complaint to God, work through his own weakness into God's strength, and come back to a greater trust in what was true.

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.