Psalms Chapter 73 · Verse 19
How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
Original Language Analysis
הָי֣וּ
H1961
הָי֣וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 8
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְשַׁמָּ֣ה
How are they brought into desolation
H8047
לְשַׁמָּ֣ה
How are they brought into desolation
Strong's:
H8047
Word #:
3 of 8
ruin; by implication, consternation
כְרָ֑גַע
as in a moment
H7281
כְרָ֑גַע
as in a moment
Strong's:
H7281
Word #:
4 of 8
a wink (of the eyes), i.e., a very short space of time
תַ֝֗מּוּ
consumed
H8552
תַ֝֗מּוּ
consumed
Strong's:
H8552
Word #:
6 of 8
to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive
Historical Context
Biblical examples include the flood, Sodom's destruction, Korah's earthquake, and Herod's worms (Acts 12:23). Each demonstrates how sudden divine judgment can be after extended rebellion.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the suddenness of judgment warn against presuming on God's patience?
- What 'terrors' await those who die in their wickedness without Christ?
- How should the certainty of sudden judgment shape evangelistic urgency?
Analysis & Commentary
The wicked's destruction comes suddenly: 'How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.' Instantaneous judgment contrasts with long prosperity—years of ease end in moment of terror. 'Utterly consumed' emphasizes completeness; nothing remains. This describes both temporal judgments (sudden calamities) and eternal judgment (the rich man's immediate torment in Luke 16:23). Security built on wickedness is illusory; terror inevitably follows.