Psalm 73:3
New International Version
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

New Living Translation
For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.

English Standard Version
For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Berean Standard Bible
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

King James Bible
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

New King James Version
For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

New American Standard Bible
For I was envious of the arrogant As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

NASB 1995
For I was envious of the arrogant As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

NASB 1977
For I was envious of the arrogant, As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Legacy Standard Bible
For I was envious of the boastful, I saw the peace of the wicked.

Amplified Bible
For I was envious of the arrogant As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Christian Standard Bible
For I envied the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For I envied the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

American Standard Version
For I was envious at the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Contemporary English Version
because it made me jealous to see proud and evil people and to watch them prosper.

English Revised Version
For I was envious at the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
because I was envious of arrogant people when I saw the prosperity that wicked people enjoy.

Good News Translation
because I was jealous of the proud when I saw that things go well for the wicked.

International Standard Version
For I was envious of the proud when I observed the prosperity of the wicked.

Majority Standard Bible
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

NET Bible
For I envied those who are proud, as I observed the prosperity of the wicked.

New Heart English Bible
For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Webster's Bible Translation
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

World English Bible
For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I see the peace of the wicked, "" That there are no bands at their death,

Young's Literal Translation
The peace of the wicked I see, That there are no bands at their death,

Smith's Literal Translation
For I was envious at the foolish; I shall see the peace of the unjust.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Because I had a zeal on occasion of the wicked, seeing the prosperity of sinners.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For I was zealous over the iniquitous, seeing the peacefulness of sinners.

New American Bible
Because I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

New Revised Standard Version
For I was envious of the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For I was envious of the wicked when I saw the prosperity of the ungodly.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because I envied the evil when I saw that the wicked had peace.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For I was envious at the arrogant, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For I was jealous of the transgressors, beholding the tranquility of sinners.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Endow the King with Your Justice
2But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. 3For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed.…

Cross References
Job 21:7-13
Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power? / Their descendants are established around them, and their offspring before their eyes. / Their homes are safe from fear; no rod of punishment from God is upon them. ...

Jeremiah 12:1-2
Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? / You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts.

Malachi 3:15
So now we call the arrogant blessed. Not only do evildoers prosper, they even test God and escape.’”

Psalm 37:1-2
Of David. Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong. / For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender plants.

Psalm 49:16-17
Do not be afraid when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases. / For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down.

Proverbs 24:19-20
Do not fret over evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked. / For the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.

Ecclesiastes 8:14
There is a futility that is done on the earth: There are righteous men who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked men who get what the actions of the righteous deserve. I say that this too is futile.

Habakkuk 1:13
Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?

Matthew 5:45
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Luke 12:16-21
Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ / Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and will build bigger ones, and there I will store up all my grain and my goods. ...

James 1:9-11
The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position. / But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field. / For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

James 5:1-6
Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ...

1 Timothy 6:9-10
Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

1 Timothy 6:17
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.

1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.


Treasury of Scripture

For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

I was

Psalm 37:1,7
A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity…

Job 21:7
Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

Proverbs 3:31
Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

Jump to Previous
Arrogant Bands Death Envied Envious Envy Foolish Peace Pride Prosperity Well-Being Wicked Wrongdoers
Jump to Next
Arrogant Bands Death Envied Envious Envy Foolish Peace Pride Prosperity Well-Being Wicked Wrongdoers
Psalm 73
1. The prophet, prevailing in a temptation
2. Shows the occasion thereof, the prosperity of the wicked
13. The wound given thereby, diffidence
15. The victory over it, knowledge of God's purpose.














For I envied the arrogant
The psalmist begins by confessing a personal struggle with envy, a sin that is often addressed in Scripture. Envy is a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, or possessions. The Bible warns against envy in passages like Proverbs 14:30, which states that envy rots the bones. The "arrogant" refers to those who are prideful and self-reliant, often dismissing God’s authority. This struggle is not unique to the psalmist; it reflects a common human experience, as seen in the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:5-8), where envy led to sin. The psalmist's honesty in admitting this feeling is a reminder of the importance of self-examination and confession.

when I saw the prosperity of the wicked
The psalmist observes the success and wealth of those who do not follow God's ways, which is a recurring theme in the wisdom literature of the Bible, such as in Job and Ecclesiastes. The "wicked" are those who live in opposition to God's commandments, yet they seem to thrive. This apparent contradiction challenges the belief that God rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked, a central tenet in Deuteronomy 28. The prosperity of the wicked is a test of faith for believers, as it can lead to doubt about God's justice. This theme is also addressed in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches about the temporary nature of earthly wealth and the eternal value of spiritual riches (Matthew 6:19-21). The psalmist's observation serves as a reminder to focus on eternal rewards rather than temporary, worldly success.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Asaph
The author of Psalm 73, Asaph was a prominent Levite musician appointed by King David to lead worship in the tabernacle. His psalms often reflect deep personal struggles and insights into God's justice and righteousness.

2. The Arrogant
This term refers to those who are prideful and self-reliant, often dismissing God’s authority. In the context of Psalm 73, they are the individuals who seem to prosper despite their wickedness.

3. The Wicked
In biblical terms, the wicked are those who live in opposition to God's laws and principles. They are often depicted as prospering in this world, which can be a source of confusion and envy for the righteous.
Teaching Points
Understanding Envy
Envy is a destructive emotion that can lead us away from God’s truth. Recognizing and confessing envy is the first step toward spiritual healing and growth.

The Illusion of Prosperity
The prosperity of the wicked is temporary and often an illusion. True prosperity is found in a relationship with God and living according to His will.

Trusting in God's Justice
God’s justice may not always be immediate, but it is certain. Trusting in His timing and sovereignty is crucial for maintaining faith amidst apparent injustices.

Focusing on Eternal Rewards
As believers, our focus should be on eternal rewards rather than temporary, worldly success. This perspective helps us maintain contentment and peace.

Guarding the Heart
Proverbs 4:23 advises us to guard our hearts, for everything we do flows from it. Keeping our hearts aligned with God’s truth protects us from the pitfalls of envy and discontent.(3) Foolish.--Better, arrogant.

When I saw.--Perhaps the conjunction is wrongly supplied, and the word "saw" here is synonymous with "envied" in the first clause. (Comp. Latin invideo.)

Verse 3. - For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked (comp. Psalm 37:1). To envy the wicked because they prosper is to make more account of the good things of this life than of God's favour - to prefer physical good to moral. It is also to doubt that God governs the universe by the strict rule of justice. The word translated "foolish" means rather, "vain arrogant boasters." Such the wicked commonly become when they prosper (comp. Psalm 5:5).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I envied
קִ֭נֵּאתִי (qin·nê·ṯî)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7065: To be, zealous, jealous, envious

the arrogant
בַּֽהוֹלְלִ֑ים (ba·hō·wl·lîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1984: To shine

[when] I saw
אֶרְאֶֽה׃ (’er·’eh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

the prosperity
שְׁל֖וֹם (šə·lō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace

of the wicked.
רְשָׁעִ֣ים (rə·šā·‘îm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person


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OT Poetry: Psalm 73:3 For I was envious of the arrogant (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 73:2
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