Psalms 73:19

“How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment? etc.] Very suddenly, which is often the case of wicked men, who cry Peace and safety, and sudden destruction comes upon them, (<520503>1 Thessalonians 5:3), so as in a moment were the punishment of Sodom and Gomorrah, of Pharaoh and his host, and of Korah and his company, (<250406>Lamentations 4:6 <021428> Exodus 14:28 <041621>Numbers 16:21,45), the words are expressed with admiration, as wondering at the sudden and amazing turn of things: they are utterly consumed with terrors: their destruction is not only sudden, but entire; it is like the breaking in pieces of a potter’s vessel; a shard of which cannot be gathered up and used, or like…”

“How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! - How suddenly and unexpectedly does destruction come upon them! Nothing can be argued from their apparent prosperity, for there is no ground of security in “that,” no basis for an argument that it will continue. The end must be seen in order to form a correct estimate on the subject, and that end may soon come. Compare the notes at Job 15:20-21. They are utterly consumed with terrors - literally, “they perish; they are destroyed by terrors;” that is, by terrible things, or by things suited to produce terror in the mind. The idea is not that they are destroyed by their own fears, but that things come upon them which are suited to…”

“Terrors - With God's dreadful judgements unexpectedly seizing upon them. Psalms 73:20”

“How: Psa 58:9; Job 20:5; Isa 30:13; Act 2:23; Th1 5:3; Rev 18:10 they are: Num 17:12, Num 17:13; Sa1 28:20; Job 15:21, Job 20:23-25; Pro 28:1; Isa 21:3, Isa 21:4; Dan 5:6 Psalms 73:20”

“The poet calms himself with the solution of the riddle that has come to him; and it would be beneath his dignity as a man to allow himself any further to be tempted by doubting thoughts. Placing himself upon the standpoint of the end, he sees how the ungodly come to terrible destruction in a moment: they come to an end (ספוּ from סוּף, not ספה), it is all over with them (תּמּוּ) in consequence of (מן as in Psa 76:7, and unconnected as in Psa 18:4; Psa 30:4; Psa 22:14) frightful occurrences (בּלּהות, a favourite word, especially in the Book of Job), which clear them out of the way. It is with them as with a dream, after (מן as in Ch1 8:8) one is awoke. One forgets the vision on account of its…”