Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

PSALMS 73:7KJV
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Psalms 73:7 (KJV)

What does Psalms 73:7 mean?

Psalms 73:7 describes people whose eyes seem to bulge from their abundance, and who have more than their hearts could ever desire. The verse paints a picture of those who are so well-off and satisfied that their wealth and excess are even visible in their appearance.

The psalm is written by Asaph, who is reflecting on the prosperity of people who do not follow God. He is troubled by how the wicked seem to live in luxury and have everything they want, which makes their self-indulgence obvious to everyone around them. This verse helps set up Asaph’s struggle with understanding why those who do wrong often seem to prosper.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 73:7

  • "eyes" (עֵינֵיהֶם, ʿeineihem): The word for "eyes" here highlights the idea that their abundance is so great it is visible in their physical features, suggesting a life of ease and plenty.
  • "fatness" (חֵלֶב, ḥelev): This word means "fat" or "richness," and in ancient Israel, being "fat" was often a sign of wealth and prosperity, not just physical size.
  • "more" (עָבַר, ʿavar): This word means "to pass over" or "to exceed," so the verse is saying their possessions or desires go beyond what anyone could reasonably want.
  • "heart" (לֵבָב, levav): The heart in Hebrew thought is the center of desire and will, so having more than the heart could wish means having excess beyond even the wildest dreams.
  • "wish" (מַשְׂכִּית, maskit): This word can mean "imagination" or "desire," emphasizing how their abundance surpasses even what they could imagine wanting.

Why Psalms 73:7 matters

  • This verse helps clarify that the psalmist is not just talking about ordinary prosperity, but about a level of excess that is almost grotesque—so much that it shows in their bodies and attitudes.
  • It highlights the tension in the psalm: Asaph is honestly wrestling with why those who seem to ignore God can have such visible, overflowing success.
  • Understanding the imagery and original words makes it clear that the psalmist is using vivid language to express both envy and confusion about the unfairness he sees in the world.

Where else these words appear

“wish” Hebrew H4906 · used in 6 verses

  • Leviticus 26:1 Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.
  • Numbers 33:52 Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:
  • Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

“fatness” Hebrew H2459 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
  • Leviticus 7:23 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep, or of goat.
  • Judges 3:22 And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out.