Psalms 73:10
Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֤ן׀
H3651
לָכֵ֤ן׀
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יָשׁ֣יּב
return
H7725
יָשׁ֣יּב
return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
2 of 8
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
עַמּ֣וֹ
Therefore his people
H5971
עַמּ֣וֹ
Therefore his people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 8
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וּמֵ֥י
and waters
H4325
וּמֵ֥י
and waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
5 of 8
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
מָ֝לֵ֗א
of a full
H4392
מָ֝לֵ֗א
of a full
Strong's:
H4392
Word #:
6 of 8
full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness; adverbially, fully
Historical Context
Throughout Israel's history, false prophets drew larger crowds than true prophets (Jeremiah 5:31). Popularity indicated cultural apostasy, not divine approval. The faithful remnant remained small.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you resist the pressure to follow popular voices that contradict God's truth?
- What does it mean that people 'wring out' a full cup of corrupt ideology—how complete is the deception?
- How can the church maintain faithfulness when the culture returns to wicked leaders and ideas?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The people 'return hither' and 'waters of a full cup are wrung out to them' depicts masses following wicked leaders and imbibing their lies fully. The full cup represents complete acceptance of corrupt ideology. This shows how influential the wicked become, drawing crowds to themselves. Yet popularity doesn't validate truth; broad is the way to destruction (Matthew 7:13). Believers must resist cultural drift toward those who speak 'loftily' while abandoning God's truth.