Psalms 73:13
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
Original Language Analysis
אַךְ
H389
רִ֭יק
in vain
H7385
רִ֭יק
in vain
Strong's:
H7385
Word #:
2 of 7
emptiness; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain
זִכִּ֣יתִי
Verily I have cleansed
H2135
זִכִּ֣יתִי
Verily I have cleansed
Strong's:
H2135
Word #:
3 of 7
to be translucent; figuratively, to be innocent
Cross References
Psalms 26:6I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:Job 21:15What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?Job 34:9For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.Job 35:3For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?Psalms 51:10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.James 4:8Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.Malachi 3:14Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?
Historical Context
This despair echoes Malachi 3:14—'It is vain to serve God.' Israel questioned whether covenant faithfulness mattered if obedience brought suffering and disobedience brought prosperity. Only eternal judgment resolves this apparent injustice.
Questions for Reflection
- Have you ever felt that pursuing righteousness was 'in vain'—what restored proper perspective?
- How does eternity reframe the value of present righteousness even when unrewarded temporally?
- What sustains holiness when there's no immediate payoff and wickedness seems advantageous?
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Analysis & Commentary
The psalmist's despairing conclusion: 'Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain; and washed my hands in innocency for nought.' If righteousness brings no advantage and wickedness no disadvantage, why pursue holiness? This represents the crisis point before resolution. The temptation is abandoning righteousness when it doesn't pay immediate dividends. Yet verse 17 will reverse this conclusion when eternal perspective is gained. Righteousness is never 'in vain' (1 Corinthians 15:58).