Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.
Parallel translations
- KJV Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
- BSB Behold, these are the wicked—always carefree as they increase their wealth.
- ESV Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.
- NKJV Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches.
- NASB Behold, these are the wicked; And always at ease, they have increased in wealth.
- NLT Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
These are the wicked: always at ease, they keep increasing in riches.
Overview
Asaph sums up the troubling picture, the ungodly seemingly carefree and ever wealthier. This is the apparent injustice that almost overthrew his faith. The summary sets up the great turning point of the psalm, where the sanctuary gives him an eternal perspective that resolves the tension.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Ps 52:7“Behold, this is the man who didn’t make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.”
- Jer 5:28They have grown fat. They shine; yes, they excel in deeds of wickedness. They don’t plead the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they may prosper; and they don’t judge the right of the needy.
- Hos 12:7–8A merchant has dishonest scales in his hand. He loves to defraud.
- Luke 16:19“Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day.
- Jas 5:1–3Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming on you.
- Jer 12:1–2You are righteous, Yahweh, when I contend with you; yet I would reason the cause with you: why does the way of the wicked prosper? why are all they at ease who deal very treacherously?
- Ps 37:35I have seen the wicked in great power, spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.
- Jer 5:17They shall eat up your harvest, and your bread, which your sons and your daughters should eat. They shall eat up your flocks and your herds. They shall eat up your vines and your fig trees. They shall beat down your fortified cities, in which you trust, with the sword.
- Ps 62:10Don’t trust in oppression. Don’t become vain in robbery. If riches increase, don’t set your heart on them.
- Ps 49:6Those who trust in their wealth, and boast in the multitude of their riches —
- Ps 17:14from men by your hand, Yahweh, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill the belly of your cherished ones. Your sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 73:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.