Psalms 73:13

“Verily, I have cleansed my heart in vain, etc.] Which supposes that his heart had been unclean, as every man’s is, and which appears by what is in it, and by what comes out of it; that it was now cleansed, not in an absolute and legal sense, as if it was wholly free from sin, for this no man can say; but in an evangelical sense, being purified by faith in the blood of Christ; that he had himself some concern in the cleansing of his heart, which seems to be contrary to (<202009>Proverbs 20:9) and besides, this is the Lord’s own work, (<195110>Psalm 51:10 <263625>Ezekiel 36:25) wherefore this may be considered as a wrong and rash expression of his; for as he was wrong in one part of it, its…”

“Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain - That is, There is no advantage in all my efforts to become pure and holy. It does not assist me in obtaining the favor of God; and it would be just as well to live a sinful life - to indulge in the pleasures of sense - to make the world my portion. Nothing is to be gained by all my painful efforts at self-discipline; by all my endeavors to become righteous. It would have been as well for me - or better - if I had lived a life of sin like other people. The righteous obtain from God fewer blessings than the wicked; they have less happiness and less prosperity in this world; they are subjected to more trouble and sorrow; and to all else there must be…”

“In vain - Hence I was sometimes tempted, to think that religion was a vain, unprofitable thing. True religion is here described by its two principal parts, the cleansing of the heart, and the hands. Psalms 73:15”

“73:13-17 Recognizing the ramifications of his discouragement and doubt, the psalmist turns to the Lord and receives special insight. 73:13-14 These rhetorical questions expect a discouraging “yes” for an answer. The psalmist wonders if godliness has become a meaningless ritual (see Mal 3:14-15). • My heart refers to his whole being. • The psalmist’s pain comes from discipline and rebuke (Ps 39:11; Prov 1:23, 25; 12:1).”

“Verily: Job 9:27, Job 9:31, Job 21:15, Job 34:9, Job 35:3; Mal 3:14 washed: Psa 24:4, Psa 26:6, Psa 51:10; Heb 10:19-22; Jam 4:8 Psalms 73:14”