Psalm 73:23
ESV
Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.
NIV
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
NASB
Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand.
CSB
Yet I am always with you; you hold my right hand.
NLT
Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.
KJV
Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
NKJV
Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.
What does Psalm 73:23 mean?
God had not abandoned Asaph because of Asaph's sin of envying the wicked. He was still with Asaph. Their relationship had not been severed. Asaph felt as if he'd almost fallen away from faith because of bitterness (Psalm 73:2), but God did not let him fall.Indeed, the reason Israel is still alive today after so many persecutions is due to God's grip on the nation. He promised in Isaiah 43:2 to be with the people of Israel when they pass through the rivers and walk through the fire. He has also promised to be with believers of the church age. When Jesus charged His disciples with the task of proclaiming the gospel throughout the world, He promised: "Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). Even when believers undergo harsh trials, the Lord is with them. Hebrews 13:5 exhorts believers to be content with what they have, because He has said, "I will never leave nor forsake you." The presence of the Lord is worth infinitely far more than all the wealth which wicked unbelievers temporarily possess (Psalm 73:18–20).
Psalm 73:15–28 gives a fitting resolution to Asaph's complaint (Psalm 73:2–3). He was disturbed by the contrast between the seemingly prosperous wicked and the difficulties of the righteous. Many today feel the same conflict. An eternal perspective gave the answer he needed to those hard examples. In short, wickedness does come with risks, and earthly life is not all there is to our existence. Even in the context of the natural world, evil invites negative consequences and disaster. In eternity, judgment on godlessness is absolutely guaranteed.
Seeing godless people thrive, even as they hatefully mock God, while believers suffer, leads many people to a crisis of faith. This was the case for Asaph. Using exaggerated imagery, he complains to the Lord that it seems as if evil people have easy lives, while godly people suffer. Further reflection reminds Asaph that sin does lead to consequences, both in this life and the next. He confesses his sins of bitterness and resolves to trust God more deeply.
