Psalm 73 18

Psalm 73:18 kjv

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

Psalm 73:18 nkjv

Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.

Psalm 73:18 niv

Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.

Psalm 73:18 esv

Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.

Psalm 73:18 nlt

Truly, you put them on a slippery path
and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.

Psalm 73 verses

Psalm 73 18 Meaning

Psalm 73:18 reveals the divine perspective on the apparent prosperity of the wicked: their exalted position is actually treacherous and divinely ordained to lead to their swift and complete ruin. What seemed stable is in fact a "slippery place" from which God Himself will cast them down into utter destruction. This verse marks a pivotal moment of understanding for the psalmist, correcting his initial human perception that had caused him to stumble.

Psalm 73 18 Context

Psalm 73 is a psalm of wisdom and lament, written by Asaph. It addresses the universal human struggle of reconciling the apparent prosperity of the wicked with the suffering of the righteous. The psalmist begins by affirming God's goodness (v. 1), but quickly plunges into doubt, confessing that his own feet almost stumbled because he envied the arrogant (v. 2-3). He meticulously details the easy, prideful, and seemingly unpunished lives of the wicked (v. 4-12), contrasting it with his own earnest but seemingly fruitless pursuit of righteousness (v. 13-14). This internal conflict reaches its peak, with the psalmist finding it too burdensome to understand (v. 15-16). The pivotal moment occurs in verse 17, "Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end." Verse 18 then reveals what Asaph understood – the precarious reality of the wicked's situation, hidden behind their facade of success. It signifies a profound shift from a worldly, outward-looking perspective to a divine, eternal one.

Historically, this struggle resonated with Israelites living under the Covenant, where blessings were promised for obedience and curses for disobedience. When the wicked prospered and the righteous suffered, it challenged their understanding of God's justice and faithfulness. The psalm reaffirms God's ultimate sovereignty and just governance.

Psalm 73 18 Word analysis

• Surely: The Hebrew word is אך (’akh). It functions as an emphatic particle, translating to "truly," "indeed," "only," or "surely." In this context, it marks a strong affirmation, signaling a revealed truth that corrects a previously mistaken belief. It emphasizes the certainty and definitive nature of the judgment to come, now clearly perceived by the psalmist.
• you set them: The Hebrew verb is תשיתם (tashithem), derived from שׁית (shiyth), meaning "to set," "to place," "to put," "to appoint." This active verb highlights God's direct agency and deliberate action. It indicates that the very position of apparent prosperity and prominence enjoyed by the wicked is not random chance or purely human achievement, but a position appointed and ordained by God. This implies divine orchestration of their circumstances, even if it seems to bless them temporarily.
• in slippery places: The Hebrew phrase is במַשׁשַׁמֹות (bema’ash’ashot), related to the root מעד (ma‘ad), meaning "to slip," "to totter," "to stagger." This describes a precarious, unstable, and dangerous position. It suggests a lack of secure footing, a constant potential for falling. Metaphorically, it implies that despite their outward appearance of strength and stability, the wicked are on a path leading to an inevitable, sudden fall. Their wealth and power are like standing on ice or loose stones.
• you cast them down: The Hebrew verb is תַּפִּילֵם (tapileim), a form of נפל (naphal), meaning "to fall," "to cause to fall," "to throw down," "to overthrow." This signifies a decisive, forceful, and ultimate act of bringing someone to ruin. It is an action by God Himself, ensuring their downfall is not by chance but by divine decree and power. The transition from "slippery places" to "cast down" indicates the fulfillment of the danger implied by the former.
• to destruction: The Hebrew word is למַשֻּׁאֹות (le-mash'shu'oth), derived from שָׁוָא (shava’), signifying "desolation," "ruin," "emptiness," "waste." This denotes a complete and utter end, a state of irreparable devastation. It's not merely a setback or loss of prosperity but a total obliteration of their standing, influence, and very being, indicating a final, irrevocable judgment.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Surely you set them in slippery places": This phrase emphasizes God's sovereign involvement in the lives of the wicked. It dispels the notion that their success is independent of divine will or that God is indifferent. Instead, their very ground of supposed triumph is secretly ordained by God to be unstable and preparatory for a fall. Their seemingly firm footing is, from God's eternal perspective, inherently treacherous. This introduces divine irony – God allows them to rise to a height from which their fall will be more dramatic.
• "you cast them down to destruction": This clarifies the inevitable consequence of being in those "slippery places." The active verb "cast down" shows God as the direct agent of their ruin, not merely allowing them to fall but actively orchestrating their complete downfall. The end state, "to destruction," signifies that their ruin is absolute, comprehensive, and irreversible. It conveys the finality of divine judgment, where all their apparent gains and arrogant displays vanish into nothingness.

Psalm 73 18 Bonus section

The revelation in Psalm 73:18 is a profound theological insight. It implies that God does not always intervene to prevent the rise of the wicked, but often allows it as a setup for their greater and more public downfall. This also highlights a key difference between divine timing and human perception. What appears to be lasting prosperity from a human perspective is, in God's eyes, a temporary elevation on a "slippery slope." The immediate suffering of the righteous is momentary when viewed against the ultimate judgment on the wicked. This verse shifts the believer's focus from the temporal injustice to God's eternal, perfect justice.

Psalm 73 18 Commentary

Psalm 73:18 serves as the divine illumination that resolves the psalmist's crisis of faith. What had perplexed him – the prosperity of the wicked – is now understood through God's eternal lens. Their wealth and status, seemingly signs of divine favor or injustice, are actually God's appointed stage for their ultimate collapse. "Slippery places" indicates that their standing is inherently insecure, lacking any true foundation. This precarity is not a human error but a divinely "set" condition, meaning God sovereignly positions them in circumstances that lead to their downfall. The subsequent "cast them down to destruction" assures the psalmist (and the believer) that God is actively engaged in executing justice. Their end is not merely a gradual decline but a decisive, complete overthrow into utter ruin. This profound truth offers comfort to the righteous who previously despaired, reinforcing the truth that God is indeed just and will ultimately judge evil, turning fleeting triumphs into eternal devastation. It warns against valuing temporal success over eternal righteousness, reminding us that worldly appearances can be deceiving, but God's perspective reveals ultimate reality.

• Practical Examples:
  • A CEO who amassed wealth through unethical practices and then faced a sudden, total collapse of their business and reputation, reflecting "slippery places" and being "cast down."
  • A regime built on oppression and violence that seems impregnable, but eventually crumbles into anarchy and ruin, showing the deceptive stability of evil.
  • An individual pursuing a life of selfish pleasure without regard for God or others, appearing to have no consequences, until an unforeseen personal catastrophe reveals the fragility of their life.