And they say, “How can God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”
The psalmist battles carnal reason itself, contending against what the eye sees: the wicked gorged in wealth and pleasure while mocking God, and the righteous crushed under troubles. He nearly cast off all care for religion at this sight. But he reproves his own rashness in judging from the present state alone, and learns that when God's providence runs its course as He has determined in secret counsel, the righteous will not be cheated of their reward, nor the wicked escape the judge.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 73:1-28
And they say, How doth God know? Thus dare the ungodly speak. They flatter themselves that their oppressions and persecutions are unobserved of heaven. If there be a God, is he not too much occupied with other matters to know what is going on upon this world? So they console themselves if judgments be threatened.
He had been brooding on the wicked's prosperity until the fire burned in him; then he checked himself: Yet God is good. That word settled him. We must anchor ourselves to truths that cannot be shaken, His goodness, His justice, His holiness, and believe that all His ways, though we cannot now trace them, stand firm upon these rocks.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 73:1-14