Psalms 73:27
For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 8
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יֹאבֵ֑דוּ
from thee shall perish
H6
יֹאבֵ֑דוּ
from thee shall perish
Strong's:
H6
Word #:
4 of 8
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
הִ֝צְמַ֗תָּה
thou hast destroyed
H6789
הִ֝צְמַ֗תָּה
thou hast destroyed
Strong's:
H6789
Word #:
5 of 8
to extirpate (literally or figuratively)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
James 4:4Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.Psalms 119:155Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.Exodus 34:15Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;Numbers 15:39And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:Psalms 106:39Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.
Historical Context
Throughout Israel's history, spiritual adultery (idolatry) resulted in judgment—exile, foreign oppression, plague. Hosea's marriage illustrated God's faithfulness despite Israel's whoredom. Only through Christ can spiritual adultery be forgiven and intimacy restored.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to be 'far from' God versus near to Him?
- How is loving anything more than God a form of spiritual adultery?
- What assurance do you have through Christ that you won't perish but have eternal life in God's presence?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The contrast with verse 25's devotion is stark: 'For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish; thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.' Distance from God means destruction. 'Go a whoring' uses adultery imagery for idolatry—loving anything more than God. This spiritual adultery warrants judgment. The psalm resolves: proximity to God brings life (v. 28); distance brings death. Eternal destinies hinge on relationship with God. Christ is the only way to the Father (John 14:6); those who reject Him remain 'far off' and perish.