Psalms 73:7
Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
Original Language Analysis
יָ֭צָא
stand out
H3318
יָ֭צָא
stand out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 6
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מֵחֵ֣לֶב
with fatness
H2459
מֵחֵ֣לֶב
with fatness
Strong's:
H2459
Word #:
2 of 6
fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part
עֵינֵ֑מוֹ
Their eyes
H5869
עֵינֵ֑מוֹ
Their eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
3 of 6
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
עָ֝בְר֗וּ
they have more
H5674
עָ֝בְר֗וּ
they have more
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
4 of 6
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
Cross References
Psalms 17:10They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.Job 15:27Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on his flanks.Jeremiah 5:28They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
Historical Context
In societies where most people lived at subsistence level, the wealthy elite's conspicuous consumption was morally offensive. Amos condemned those living in luxury while ignoring injustice (Amos 6:4-7).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you guard against defining life by material abundance rather than spiritual riches?
- What does having 'more than heart could wish' reveal about the insatiability of greed?
- How can you cultivate contentment in a culture obsessed with accumulation and indulgence?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Their eyes 'stand out with fatness' suggests excessive indulgence producing physical corpulence. 'They have more than heart could wish' means they exceed even their own greedy desires. This describes people whose lives revolve around material accumulation and sensual pleasure. Yet Jesus warns that a person's life doesn't consist in abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15). The rich fool's barns were full but his soul was impoverished (Luke 12:16-21).