Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
-The mental conflict which resulted in the Psalmist's mind from the anomalous prosperity of sinners.
Verse 12. Behold, these (are) the ungodly, who prosper in the world - rather, 'and (yet) they prosper (or are tranquilly secure) perpetually' х `owlaam (H5769)]. The Chaldaic favours the English version; but the Hebrew is against it. Behold, these are the ungodly, against whom God's Word denounces shame and misery. And yet they prosper perpetually. Impatience exaggerates.
Verse 13. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain - referring to Psalms 73:1, "such as are of a clean heart."
And washed my hands in innocency - (Psalms 26:6.) Not absolute, but relative sincerity, in religion (Proverbs 20:9). Understand "in vain" to this clause. Malachi 3:14 breathes the same impatient and unbelieving spirit.
Verse 14. For all the day long have I been plagued - in contrast to Psalms 73:5, "neither are they played like other men." And chastened every morning. - `my chastening (visited me anew) every morning.'
Verse 15. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. Here a voice within urges him to shrink from openly recommending ungodliness. It is sad to indulge in such hard thoughts of God's goodness and justice at all; but to preach or recount them publicly (as the Hebrew for speak means) would be utter treachery to the people and the cause of God. "If ... I will speak х caapar (H5608)] thus," as those ungodly apostates (Psalms 73:11), 'I should deal treacherously toward the generation,' etc. (cf. Job 15:4). The treacherous dealing toward the children of God, the true Israel (Psalms 73:1; Psalms 14:5; Deuteronomy 14:1), consists in uttering sentiments subversive of their prayers and hopes, and calculated to encourage the wicked rather than the righteous.
Verse 16. When I thought to know this - `When I meditated in order to know this,' with all the powers of my reason.
It was too painful for me. Human speculation and research can in this accomplish nothing. The thing remains after all a painful perplexity: not so much the fact of the exalted state of the godless, and the depression of the godly, as the perplexity thereby suggested concerning God's righteousness, causes the pain.