Psalm 73:21 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓]
Psalm 73:21, NIV: "When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,"Psalm 73:21, ESV: "When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,"
Psalm 73:21, KJV: "Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins."
Psalm 73:21, NASB: "When my heart was embittered And I was pierced within,"
Psalm 73:21, NLT: "Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside."
Psalm 73:21, CSB: "When I became embittered and my innermost being was wounded,"
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The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New American Standard Bible Copyright© 1960 - 2020 by The Lockman Foundation.
Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright© 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.
What does Psalm 73:21 mean? [⇑ See verse text ⇑]
Asaph began this psalm expressing his envy and angst over the existence of wicked, prosperous people (Psalm 73:1–3). He came to realize the error of his attitude when he more carefully considered God's truth (Psalm 73:15–17). Here, he confesses that some of his error was in bitterness, which is closely related to envy. Pain and anxiety come in many forms, but when we are sour at the thought that we "should" be experiencing something else, that's bitterness.Looking at various English translations of this verse helps to capture the depth of emotion which Asaph experienced. A key phrase is rendered as "pricked in heart" (ESV), "pierced within" (NASB), "innermost being was wounded" (CSB), or "heart was grieved" (NIV).
Believers today may harbor bad attitudes until they are convicted by the Holy Spirit, and such temptations are natural (1 Corinthians 10:13). It is important to respond positively to the Spirit's convicting ministry and not grieve or quench Him (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19). The proper course of action to take when convicted is to confess the sin earnestly and sincerely and determine by God's grace not to repeat it. First John 1:9 promises: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." It would be wrong to misinterpret the meaning of the Holy Spirit's convicting ministry. The conviction does not mean we no longer belong to God because we have sinned; instead, it is evidence that we do belong to Him.
Asaph, in that same way, was able to bring his complaint to God, work through his own weakness into God's strength, and come back to a greater trust in what was true.