Psalms 73:16

“When I thought to know this, etc.] How to reconcile the prosperity of the wicked, and the afflictions of the righteous, to the perfections of God, and his wise providence in the government of the world, by the mere dint of reason, without consulting the sacred oracles, or his own and others’ experience: it was too painful for me: too laborious and toilsome, a work he was not equal to; “hic labor, hoc opus”; (see <210817>Ecclesiastes 8:17).”

“When I thought to know this - When I endeavored to comprehend this, or to explain it to myself. The idea is that he “thought” on the subject, or “meditated” on it with a view to be able to understand it. He did not express his opinions and feelings to others, but he dwelt on them in his own mind; not to find additional difficulties, not to confirm himself in opposition to God, and not to find new occasions for distrusting the divine government, but to understand exactly how this was. It was his object to seek and understand “the truth.” It was too painful for me - Margin, “It was labor in mine eyes.” The Hebrew word rendered “painful,” means properly labor, toil, a burden; and the idea is,…”

“To know - To find out the reason of this providence. Psalms 73:17”

“When: Psa 36:6, Psa 77:19, Psa 97:2; Pro 30:2, Pro 30:3; Ecc 8:17; Rom 11:33 too painful for me: Heb. labour in mine eyes, Psa 39:6; Luk 18:32-34; Joh 16:18, Joh 16:19 Psalms 73:17”