For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Parallel translations
- KJV For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
- BSB For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
- NKJV For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
- NASB For I was envious of the arrogant As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
- NLT For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.
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
His near fall came from envying the arrogant when he saw how the wicked prospered.
Overview
Asaph names the root of his struggle: envy at the apparent ease and success of ungodly people. The prosperity of the wicked has long troubled the faithful. This honest naming of temptation prepares the way for the corrective vision he will later receive in God's sanctuary, where eternal realities reframe earthly appearances.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Job 21:7“Why do the wicked live, become old, yes, and grow mighty in power?
- Jer 12:1You 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?
- Prov 23:17Don’t let your heart envy sinners; but rather fear Yahweh all day long.
- Ps 37:7Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.
- Ps 37:1By David. Don’t fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.
- Prov 24:1Don’t be envious of evil men; neither desire to be with them:
- Prov 3:31Don’t envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways.
- Jas 4:5Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously”?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 73:3 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.