Psalms 73:16

73:15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.

When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; too: Heb. labour in mine eyes

KJV

When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me;

When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

What does Psalms 73:16 mean?

Psalms 73:16 is a verse in the book of Psalms, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include חָשַׁב (châshab), יָדַע (yâdaʻ), עָמָל (ʻâmâl).

Hebrew interlinear

When

thoughtחָשַׁבchâshab/khaw-shab'/H2803properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); hence (from the mental effort) to think, regard, value, compute

knowיָדַעyâdaʻ/yaw-dah'/H3045to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)

this,

was

too

painfulעָמָלʻâmâl/aw-mawl'/H5999toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of body or mind

for

me;עַיִןʻayin/ah'-yin/H5869an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

too:

Heb.

labour

mine

eyes

Topics

Doubting Integrity Meditation Murmuring Providence of God, the Punishment of the Wicked, the Rich, The Righteousness of God, the Temptation Wicked Worldliness

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Psalms 73:16.

Genesis 19:8

Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.

Genesis 24:16

And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. very: Heb. good of countenance

Genesis 3:5

For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

Genesis 3:7

And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. aprons: or, things to gird about

Frequently asked questions

What does Psalms 73:16 say?

Psalms 73:16 (King James Version) reads: "When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; too: Heb. labour in mine eyes"

Is Psalms 73:16 in the Old or New Testament?

Psalms 73:16 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Psalms.

Reflect

As you read Psalms 73:16, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on Psalms 73:16 →

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