Psalm 73 12

Psalm 73:12 kjv

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

Psalm 73:12 nkjv

Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches.

Psalm 73:12 niv

This is what the wicked are like? always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.

Psalm 73:12 esv

Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.

Psalm 73:12 nlt

Look at these wicked people ?
enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.

Psalm 73 verses

Psalm 73 12 Meaning

Psalm 73:12 conveys the psalmist Asaph’s troubling observation about the wicked: they appear to live without struggle, always at ease, and continuously accumulate wealth and resources. This direct declaration describes the outward, seemingly secure, and thriving state of those who disregard God, forming the core of the psalmist’s initial crisis of faith regarding divine justice.

Psalm 73 12 Context

Psalm 73 is the first psalm of Book III (Psalms 73–89), attributed to Asaph. The psalm primarily wrestles with the problem of suffering for the righteous and prosperity for the wicked—a timeless human theological dilemma often referred to as the problem of divine justice or theodicy. Asaph confesses his struggle with doubt and envy, openly admitting his slip and almost fall from faith (vv. 2-3). Verse 12 serves as a pivotal summary of his outward observation of the wicked that fueled this spiritual crisis. He had been looking at life purely from a temporal and human perspective, observing their undisturbed lives and material accumulation. This situation directly challenged his understanding of God's justice and the covenant promises, leading him to feel that his own purity and striving for righteousness were in vain (vv. 13-14). The turning point for Asaph comes when he enters "the sanctuary of God" (v. 17), where he gains a divine, eternal perspective on the ultimate destiny of the wicked, revealing their true fleeting nature and destruction. Historically, this struggle might have been intensified by surrounding Ancient Near Eastern cultures which often linked immediate prosperity directly to divine favor, and suffering to divine disfavor or sin. Asaph's psalm directly confronts this superficial correlation by challenging God while simultaneously acknowledging His inherent goodness (v. 1), leading to a deeper understanding of justice beyond present circumstances.

Psalm 73 12 Word analysis

• Behold (הִנֵּה - hinnēh): An interjection of emphasis or exclamation, calling for special attention. Here, it conveys a sense of dismay or incredulity as Asaph points out what he sees, a stark and frustrating reality that has caused him internal turmoil.
• these (אֵלֶּה - ʾēlleh): Refers specifically to the "wicked" (רְשָׁעִים) mentioned in previous verses and identified by their observed conduct. It underscores that Asaph is referring to a specific group whose lives provoke his doubt.
• are the ungodly / are the wicked (הֵמָּה רְשָׁעִים - hēmmāh rᵉšāʿîm):
  • ungodly / wicked (רְשָׁעִים - rᵉšāʿîm): Plural of rasha’ (רָשָׁע). In biblical context, rasha' describes those who disregard God's law, actively practice evil, or are guilty and estranged from God. It refers to a character alienated from divine principles, rather than just occasional wrongdoing.
• who prosper in the world / always at ease (שַׁלְוֵי עוֹלָם - šalwê ʿôlām):
  • prosper / at ease (שַׁלְוֵי - šalwê): From shalvah (שַׁלְוָה), meaning quietness, security, prosperity, tranquility, and ease. This term encompasses not just financial wealth but an apparent absence of trouble, hardship, or adversity in life. They seem untroubled and undisturbed.
  • in the world / for an age / forever (עוֹלָם - ʿôlām): While ʿôlām can mean "eternity" or "forever," in this context, it often refers to a sustained duration, a long time, or throughout one's lifetime within the earthly sphere ("in this present world" or "continually"). It highlights the consistent, ongoing nature of their prosperity as observed by the psalmist. Their "ease" is not fleeting but seems enduring.
• they increase (יִשְׂגּוּ - yiśgû): From the root śāgâ (שׂגא), meaning to grow, increase, or abound, especially in wealth or position. It implies a continuous, unhindered accumulation and expansion of resources and influence.
• in riches / wealth (חָיִל - ḥāyil): Literally "strength" or "might," but contextually it commonly denotes wealth, possessions, resources, or general substance that provides power and influence. It is not limited to money but refers to all forms of material accumulation that confer status and security.

Words-group analysis:

• "Behold, these are the ungodly...": This opening emphasizes the psalmist's direct observation and emotional response. He is not just theorizing; he is reporting what he plainly sees. The identification of "ungodly" or "wicked" frames their apparent success as problematic, given their character.
• "who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.": This phrase describes two interconnected aspects of their apparent success: their internal tranquility/security ("prosper," "at ease") and their external material abundance ("increase in riches"). The conjunction of "shalwah" (ease) and "chayil" (riches/might) paints a picture of comprehensive earthly well-being that seems stable ("in the world/age"). This observation directly challenges the belief in immediate divine retribution for wickedness and reward for righteousness in the earthly realm.

Psalm 73 12 Bonus section

The "problem of the prosperity of the wicked" is a recurring theme in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament (e.g., Job, Jeremiah 12, Ecclesiastes). Psalm 73 provides a personal narrative of grappling with this very issue, moving from doubt and bitterness to understanding and worship. The resolution for Asaph, found in the sanctuary (v. 17), highlights that a correct theological perspective on such a problem requires entering into God's presence and understanding His ultimate, eternal judgment rather than relying solely on present earthly observations. The apparent ease and growing wealth of the wicked are temporal; their ultimate end, seen from God's vantage point, is a terrifying precipice (v. 18). This demonstrates that not all prosperity is a blessing, especially if it leads to greater complacency and further alienation from God.

Psalm 73 12 Commentary

Psalm 73:12 encapsulates Asaph’s acute spiritual crisis stemming from the stark reality he perceives: the wicked thrive and multiply their earthly possessions without apparent struggle or divine consequence. This verse articulates the human complaint against perceived divine injustice—that those who reject God often experience comfortable and successful lives. The psalmist describes their "ease" (shalwah), implying not only wealth but an undisturbed, secure existence, devoid of the trials faced by the righteous. Their continuous "increase in riches" (chayil) further solidifies the material disparity that troubled Asaph. This observation is not merely a passing thought but the bedrock of his almost "slip" (v. 2), leading him to question the value of his own righteous living. The frustration is intensified by the persistent nature implied by "in the world" or "continually." While common sense might suggest that a righteous God would bless the good and afflict the evil, Asaph's immediate experience showed the opposite, prompting him to confront the disjunction between biblical promises and lived reality. This verse captures the painful struggle of faith when the visible world contradicts deeply held theological convictions.