Psalm 73 28

Psalm 73:28 kjv

But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Psalm 73:28 nkjv

But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works.

Psalm 73:28 niv

But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Psalm 73:28 esv

But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

Psalm 73:28 nlt

But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

Psalm 73 verses

Psalm 73 28 Meaning

Psalm 73:28 signifies the profound and ultimate good found in a intimate relationship with God, particularly after the psalmist's personal spiritual struggle. It asserts that being near God is the highest form of good, providing true refuge and security. This deep fellowship then propels the believer to actively proclaim and testify to God's mighty deeds and character. The verse embodies a radical shift from worldly despair to divine reliance and public testimony.

Psalm 73 28 Context

Psalm 73 is a wisdom psalm by Asaph that documents a profound spiritual crisis and its resolution. The initial verses (Ps 73:1-12) reveal Asaph's deep struggle and envy as he observed the wicked prospering without apparent consequence, while the righteous faced affliction. He confesses his feet nearly slipped, and his steps had almost stumbled, due to this theological perplexity (Ps 73:2-3). The turning point occurs when he enters the sanctuary of God (Ps 73:17), where he gains divine insight into the ultimate, eternal destruction awaiting the wicked and the secure future for the righteous. Following this epiphany, Asaph expresses repentance for his foolishness (Ps 73:21-22) and passionately reconfirms his unwavering reliance and delight in God alone (Ps 73:23-26). Verse 27 declares the doom of those far from God. Psalm 73:28 serves as the climactic, conclusive declaration of Asaph’s renewed faith and ultimate purpose, standing in stark contrast to the despair that characterized the earlier part of the Psalm.

Psalm 73 28 Word analysis

• But as for me (וַאֲנִי, wa'ani):

  • This is a strong adversative conjunction, "But," emphasizing a sharp contrast.
  • "As for me" (wa'ani) highlights a personal, resolved commitment, a distinct choice apart from the ways of the wicked described previously.
  • It marks the profound pivot in the psalm from theological perplexity and worldly perspective to an renewed, deeply personal confession of faith.

• it is good (טוֹב, tov):

  • Beyond mere pleasantness, "tov" conveys what is morally right, inherently excellent, beneficial, and fulfilling in the most ultimate sense.
  • It suggests a deep, qualitative evaluation, that this path truly brings well-being, wholeness, and spiritual prosperity, contrasting with the fleeting, illusive "goodness" of the wicked.
  • The concept echoes God's recurring declaration "it was good" in Gen 1, suggesting that closeness to God aligns with the created order and divine intention.

• to be near God (קִרְבַת אֱלֹהִים, kirvat Elohim):

  • "Kirvat" means "nearness," "closeness," or "proximity." This signifies an intimate, relational, and active communion rather than a mere physical presence.
  • It implies a sustained state of fellowship, engagement, and dependence upon God.
  • "Elohim" is the general term for God, emphasizing His divine power and sovereign nature, but here applied in the context of intimate approachability.

• I have made (שַׁתִּי, shatti):

  • From the verb "shat" (to set, to place, to appoint, to make).
  • This is a perfect tense verb, indicating a completed action with enduring results. It's a settled, deliberate, and firm decision, an act of conscious will and intentional positioning.
  • It highlights the Psalmist's agency and commitment in actively choosing God as his foundation.

• the Lord GOD (אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, Adonai Yahweh):

  • "Adonai" (Lord) signifies mastership, sovereignty, and authority.
  • "Yahweh" (often rendered as LORD or GOD) is the covenantal name of God, revealing His self-existent, faithful, and redemptive character. This pairing is rare and very significant in the Old Testament.
  • Together, it underscores both God's supreme authority and His personal, steadfast, covenant relationship with His people, emphasizing His reliability as a refuge.

• my refuge (מַחְסִי, machsi):

  • "Machsi" means a place of safety, a stronghold, a shelter, or protection.
  • It conveys complete dependence and trust in God for security, shelter from dangers, adversity, and despair.
  • It is a personal confession ("my refuge"), indicating a deeply experiential reliance.

• that I may tell (לְסַפֵּר, l'sapper):

  • "L'sapper" (to recount, to relate, to declare, to make known) is a Piel infinitive, indicating an intense and active telling, not a passive acknowledgment.
  • This phrase indicates the purpose, outcome, or natural consequence of the preceding actions (being near God and making Him a refuge).
  • It is an outward, public proclamation of God’s character and deeds, flowing from an inward experience.

• of all Your works (כָּל מַלְאֲכוֹתֶיךָ, kol mal'akhoteikha):

  • "Kol" (all) emphasizes the comprehensive nature of what is to be declared – nothing about God’s deeds is to be withheld.
  • "Mal'akhoteikha" (Your works, deeds) refers to God’s mighty acts of creation, providence, judgment, redemption, and faithfulness, particularly those revealing His power, justice, and love. It encompasses everything He has done and continues to do.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "But as for me, it is good to be near God": This powerful opening phrase highlights the psalmist's definitive personal commitment, contrasting sharply with his earlier struggle. It underscores his resolute belief that ultimate well-being and true moral "good" are found exclusively in deep, intimate fellowship with the Creator, dispelling the illusion of happiness derived from worldly prosperity. This is the heart of true blessedness.
  • "I have made the Lord GOD my refuge": This statement denotes a conscious, deliberate, and steadfast choice to rely solely on God for security and protection. It identifies the "Lord GOD"—the sovereign, covenant-keeping God—as his personal and unfailing stronghold against the world's deceptions and adversities. It's an active, personal volitional act, not merely a passive state.
  • "that I may tell of all Your works": This phrase reveals the ultimate purpose and fruit of being near God and taking refuge in Him. The intimate experience of God's goodness naturally culminates in public testimony and proclamation of His deeds. The benefit received from God (nearness, refuge) inevitably transforms into a joyful duty and desire to magnify Him and share His greatness with others. It shifts from personal spiritual gain to divine glory and mission.

Psalm 73 28 Bonus section

• This verse provides a blueprint for a mature faith journey: recognizing worldly deceit, seeking divine truth, choosing intimate communion, and then fulfilling the calling to witness.
• The progression from "being near God" to making "the Lord GOD my refuge" to "telling of all Your works" reflects a profound and intentional commitment: spiritual intimacy leads to settled trust, which in turn leads to purposeful praise and evangelism.
• The resolution here offers a stark contrast to Job's earlier questioning of God's justice or Habakkuk's lament over delayed judgment. Asaph's conclusion emphasizes relational closeness as the answer, rather than complete intellectual understanding of every nuance of divine justice.
• The use of "Adonai Yahweh" (the Lord GOD) emphasizes that the Psalmist has anchored his trust in the most powerful, faithful, and personal revelation of God available. This specific divine title signifies the absolute supremacy and redemptive reliability of the One he chooses as his refuge.

Psalm 73 28 Commentary

Psalm 73:28 is a radiant summation of the psalmist Asaph's spiritual pilgrimage from doubt to profound faith. After wrestling with the perplexing prosperity of the wicked, his visit to the sanctuary provided the divine perspective needed to understand true values. This verse articulates his restored conviction: true 'good' (tov) is not found in earthly wealth or ease, but in an active, personal closeness to God. This proximity leads him to consciously and decisively take refuge in "the Lord GOD"—the ultimate sovereign and covenant-keeping God—finding in Him total security. The culmination of this restored relationship and deep reliance is the unstoppable urge to declare God's vast and magnificent works to others. This progression underscores a vital spiritual truth: genuine spiritual health and intimacy with God compel a believer to move from internal experience to external proclamation, transforming a crisis of faith into a powerful witness of God’s faithfulness.