Psalm 73:17
New International Version
till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

New Living Translation
Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.

English Standard Version
until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.

Berean Standard Bible
until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.

King James Bible
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

New King James Version
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.

New American Standard Bible
Until I entered the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end.

NASB 1995
Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end.

NASB 1977
Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end.

Legacy Standard Bible
Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.

Amplified Bible
Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood [for I considered] their end.

Christian Standard Bible
until I entered God’s sanctuary. Then I understood their destiny.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
until I entered God’s sanctuary. Then I understood their destiny.

American Standard Version
Until I went into the sanctuary of God, And considered their latter end.

Contemporary English Version
Then I went to your temple, and there I understood what will happen to my enemies.

English Revised Version
Until I went into the sanctuary of God, and considered their latter end.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Only when I came into God's holy place did I [finally] understand what would happen to them.

Good News Translation
until I went into your Temple. Then I understood what will happen to the wicked.

International Standard Version
until I entered the sanctuaries of God. Then I understood their destiny.

NET Bible
Then I entered the precincts of God's temple, and understood the destiny of the wicked.

New Heart English Bible
Until I entered God's sanctuary, and considered their latter end.

Webster's Bible Translation
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end.

World English Bible
until I entered God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Until I come into the sanctuaries of God, "" I attend to their latter end.

Young's Literal Translation
Till I come in to the sanctuaries of God, I attend to their latter end.

Smith's Literal Translation
Till I shall come to the holy place of God I shall not understand for their latter state.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Until I go into the sanctuary of God, and understand concerning their last ends.

Catholic Public Domain Version
until I may enter into the Sanctuary of God, and understand it to its last part.

New American Bible
Till I entered the sanctuary of God and came to understand their end.

New Revised Standard Version
until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Until I would enter the holy place of God and would discern their end:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Until I entered into the sanctuary of God, And considered their end.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
until I go into the sanctuary of God; and so understand the latter end.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Endow the King with Your Justice
16When I tried to understand all this, it was troublesome in my sight 17until I entered God’s sanctuary; then I discerned their end. 18Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin.…

Cross References
Psalm 37:38
But the transgressors will all be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.

Psalm 49:16-17
Do not be afraid when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases. / For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down.

Psalm 37:16-17
Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked. / For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

Psalm 37:20
But the wicked and enemies of the LORD will perish like the glory of the fields. They will vanish; like smoke they will fade away.

Psalm 37:28
For the LORD loves justice and will not forsake His saints. They are preserved forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.

Psalm 92:7
that though the wicked sprout like grass, and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed.

Job 21:30
Indeed, the evil man is spared from the day of calamity, delivered from the day of wrath.

Proverbs 24:20
For the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.

Malachi 3:18
So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

Ecclesiastes 8:12-13
Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives long, yet I also know that it will go well with those who fear God, who are reverent in His presence. / Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.

Matthew 13:49-50
So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous / and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Luke 16:25
But Abraham answered, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, while you are in agony.

Romans 2:5-6
But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. / God “will repay each one according to his deeds.”

2 Thessalonians 1:6-9
After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, / and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels / in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ...

1 Corinthians 2:14
The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.


Treasury of Scripture

Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

until

Psalm 27:4
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

Psalm 63:2
To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

Psalm 77:13
Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?

then

Psalm 37:37,38
Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace…

Job 27:8
For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?

Ecclesiastes 8:12,13
Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: …

Jump to Previous
Attend Considered Destiny End Entered Evil-Doers Final God's Holy Latter Perceived Sanctuaries Sanctuary Understood
Jump to Next
Attend Considered Destiny End Entered Evil-Doers Final God's Holy Latter Perceived Sanctuaries Sanctuary Understood
Psalm 73
1. The prophet, prevailing in a temptation
2. Shows the occasion thereof, the prosperity of the wicked
13. The wound given thereby, diffidence
15. The victory over it, knowledge of God's purpose.














until I entered God’s sanctuary;
This phrase signifies a turning point in the psalmist's understanding and perspective. The sanctuary refers to the temple, a sacred place where God's presence dwells. In ancient Israel, the temple was the center of worship and a place where the Israelites could seek God's guidance and wisdom. The act of entering the sanctuary symbolizes a shift from worldly confusion to divine insight. It reflects the importance of seeking God in His designated place of worship, where His truth and justice are revealed. This mirrors the experience of many biblical figures who found clarity and direction in God's presence, such as Moses on Mount Sinai or Isaiah in the temple (Isaiah 6:1-8).

then I discerned their end.
The psalmist gains understanding of the ultimate fate of the wicked, which contrasts with their apparent prosperity. This discernment is a result of divine revelation rather than human reasoning. The "end" refers to the final judgment and the eternal consequences of a life lived apart from God. This insight aligns with the broader biblical theme that God's justice will prevail, as seen in passages like Proverbs 14:12 and Revelation 20:11-15. The psalmist's realization underscores the temporary nature of earthly success and the eternal significance of one's relationship with God. This understanding foreshadows the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the importance of eternal life over worldly gain (Matthew 16:26).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Asaph
The author of Psalm 73, Asaph was a prominent Levite singer and seer in David's court. He is known for his role in leading worship and composing psalms.

2. God's Sanctuary
This refers to the holy place where God's presence dwells. In the context of ancient Israel, it would be the tabernacle or temple, a place of worship and divine revelation.

3. The Wicked
Throughout Psalm 73, Asaph contrasts the apparent prosperity of the wicked with the struggles of the righteous, leading to his moment of clarity in the sanctuary.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Perspective
Entering God's sanctuary provides a divine perspective that transcends earthly circumstances. It reminds us that God's justice and plans are beyond our immediate understanding.

The Role of Worship in Understanding
Worship and being in God's presence can bring clarity and peace, helping us to see beyond the temporary success of the wicked to their ultimate end.

Trust in God's Justice
Even when the wicked seem to prosper, we are reminded that God is just and their end is certain. Our focus should be on faithfulness rather than envy.

The Power of Divine Revelation
True understanding and discernment come from God. Seeking His presence and wisdom is crucial for navigating life's challenges.

Community and Worship
Being part of a worshiping community can help us gain perspective and support as we face the apparent injustices of the world.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Psalm 73:17?

2. How does Psalm 73:17 encourage seeking God's presence for understanding life's challenges?

3. What role does the sanctuary play in gaining insight according to Psalm 73:17?

4. How can Psalm 73:17 guide us in interpreting the fate of the wicked?

5. How does entering God's sanctuary change our perspective on worldly success?

6. How can we apply Psalm 73:17 to strengthen our daily walk with God?

7. How does Psalm 73:17 change our understanding of divine justice and human suffering?

8. What does "entered God’s sanctuary" in Psalm 73:17 imply about spiritual insight?

9. How does Psalm 73:17 address the prosperity of the wicked?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 73?

11. Psalm 73:17 suggests divine insight in a sanctuary setting—what evidence supports or refutes the historicity of supernatural experiences in the Temple?

12. Proverbs 11:18 suggests the wicked earn deceptive wages—why do some unethical individuals thrive, seemingly contradicting this verse?

13. Psalm 73:3 says the wicked prosper, yet other passages (e.g., Psalm 1:3) promise prosperity for the righteous—how do we reconcile this contradiction?

14. Psalm 73:27 proclaims God will destroy the unfaithful—how does this align with the New Testament emphasis on love and redemption?
What Does Psalm 73:17 Mean
until I entered

Asaph freely admits that his perspective was skewed “until I entered.” He had been wrestling with how the arrogant seemed to prosper (Psalm 73:2-3). His envy grew while he remained outside the place of worship, looking only at earthly appearances (Psalm 37:1-2). The turning point begins with movement—a deliberate step toward God. The simple word “until” underscores that clarity is rarely found while staying put in frustration; it comes when we intentionally seek the Lord.

Key ideas

• Stewing in bitterness blinds us.

• A change of location—physical and spiritual—opens the door for a change of vision (Psalm 42:5).

• God invites us to draw near so He can set our thoughts straight (James 4:8).


God’s sanctuary

The sanctuary was the temple precinct where God’s glory dwelled among His people. “One thing I have asked of the LORD… to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple” (Psalm 27:4). Inside this sacred space, truth eclipsed envy. Worship, sacrifice, and the reading of the Law reminded Asaph of God’s holiness, justice, and mercy (Psalm 63:2; 1 Chronicles 16:29).

What the sanctuary provides

• A recalibration of values: eternal over temporal.

• An encounter with God’s presence that exposes false judgments (Isaiah 6:1-5).

• A community context that reinforces truth (Psalm 22:22-23).


then I discerned

“Then”—after worship and exposure to God’s glory—“I discerned.” Spiritual understanding flashed where human reasoning had failed (Psalm 119:18). God grants wisdom: “For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6). Worship positions the heart to receive that wisdom.

Marks of true discernment

• It aligns with revealed Scripture, not personal preference (John 17:17).

• It moves us from envy to compassion and sobriety (Jeremiah 9:24).

• It leads to repentance and renewed trust (Psalm 73:21-23).


their end

Clarity finally dawns regarding “their end.” The prosperity of the wicked is temporary: “Surely You set them on slick places; You cast them down to destruction” (Psalm 73:18). They will be “swept away by sudden terrors” (v. 19). The sanctuary perspective stretches beyond the present into eternity (Psalm 37:10-13). Earthly success cannot prevent divine judgment: “This night your soul is required of you” (Luke 12:20). The final reckoning before the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:12-15) looms over every unrepentant life.

Living in light of their end

• Envy fades when we grasp the fragility of godless prosperity.

• Our calling is to remain faithful, not to mimic the world’s shortcuts.

• The reality of judgment fuels evangelistic urgency (2 Corinthians 5:10-11).


summary

Psalm 73:17 shows the hinge point of the psalm: perspective changes in God’s presence. Asaph wandered in confusion until he entered the sanctuary. There, worship reframed his vision, granting discernment of the ultimate destiny of the wicked. The verse invites us to follow the same path—turning from envy, stepping into God’s presence, receiving His wisdom, and viewing life through the lens of eternity.

(17) Then understood I . . .--Rather, I considered their end. The Temple service, with its blessings on righteousness, and stern warnings against wickedness, as they were read from the Book of the Law or from one of the prophets, or were chanted from some ancient song, gave the needed turn to the psalmist's speculations. He began to think not of the present, but the future; not of the advantages of sin, but its consequences--but still consequences in this world, the thought of a hereafter not having established itself sufficiently to have an ethical force.

Verse 17. - Until I went into the sanctuary of God; literally, the sanctuaries (comp. Psalm 68:35; Psalm 84:1; Psalm 132:7). The three subdivisions of beth the tabernacle and the first temple, viz. the court, the holy place, and the holy of holies, constituted three sanctuaries. The psalmist, in his perplexity, took his doubts into the sanctuary of God, and there, "in the calmness of the sacred court" (Kay), reconsidered the hard problem. Compare Hezekiah's action with the perplexing letter of Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:14). Then understood I their end. There came to him in the sanctuary the thought that, to judge aright of the happiness or misery of any man, it is necessary to await the end (comp. Herod., 1:32; Soph., 'OEd. Tyr.,' ad fin.; Eurip., 'Andromach.,' 50:100; Aristot., ' Eth. Nic.,' 1:10).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

I entered
אָ֭בוֹא (’ā·ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

God’s
אֵ֑ל (’êl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty

sanctuary;
מִקְדְּשֵׁי־ (miq·də·šê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4720: A consecrated thing, place, a palace, sanctuary, asylum

then I discerned
אָ֝בִ֗ינָה (’ā·ḇî·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 995: To separate mentally, understand

their end.
לְאַחֲרִיתָֽם׃ (lə·’a·ḥă·rî·ṯām)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 319: The last, end, the future, posterity


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OT Poetry: Psalm 73:17 Until I entered God's sanctuary and considered (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 73:16
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