Psalms 73:25

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 73:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.
Psalms 73:25 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 73

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Whom have I in heaven but thee, etc.] Which includes God the Father, Son, and Spirit; God the Father, as his only covenant God and Father; Christ as his only Mediator, Saviour, and Redeemer, Head, Husband, Advocate, and Intercessor; the Spirit as his only sanctifier, Comforter, earnest, and sealer; and is expressive of their being the one and only Lord God, the sole object of worship, trust, and confidence; his only helper and guide; and in whom his supreme happiness and glory lay; and it excludes the sun, moon, and stars, in the lower heavens, from being the object of worship and trust; and angels and glorified saints in the highest heavens: the words may be rendered, “who is for me in…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“whom have I in heaven but thee? - literally, “Who is to me in the heavens?” That is, There is no one there that in my love for him can be compared with thee; no one who can do for me what thou canst do; no one who can meet and satisfy the needs of my soul as thou canst; no one who can be to me what God “is” - what a God “must” be. After all my complaining and my doubts there is no one, not even in the heavens, who cant supply the place of “God,” or be to me what God is; and the warm affections of my soul, therefore, are “really” toward him. I feel my need of him; and I must and do find my supreme happiness in him. What would even heaven be to me without God? who there, even of the angels of…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“73:25-26 Nothing in heaven or on earth is better than being near God.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Whom: Psa 16:5, Psa 16:11, Psa 17:15, Psa 37:4, Psa 43:4, Psa 63:3, Psa 89:6; Mat 5:8; Phi 3:8; Jo1 3:2; Rev 21:3, Rev 21:22, Rev 21:23 none upon: Psa 42:1, Psa 42:2, Psa 104:34, Psa 143:6-8; Isa 26:8, Isa 26:9; Hab 3:17, Hab 3:18; Mat 10:37; Phi 3:8 Psalms 73:26”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification