Psalms 73:6 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Pride and violence adorn the wicked like their natural clothing.
The Context of Psalms 73:6
The moral character of the wicked: pride and violence are their identity.
What Does Psalms 73:6 Mean?
Asaph shifts to the inner reality: the wicked are bound by pride as a chain binds, and wrapped in violence as one wears a garment. These are not incidental flaws but their essential nature—what they are clothed in, what defines them.
Yet despite this corruption, they prosper. Their sin is written on them, and God appears to tolerate it. This is the heart of Asaph's confusion: God's law is written in creation, yet its consequences seem suspended.
Psalms 73:6 in the Original Language
אָדוֹנָה (adonah)—'they wrap,' 'they clothe themselves'—violence is not merely done but worn, internalized, defining.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 73:6
What does Psalms 73:6 mean?
Pride and violence adorn the wicked like their natural clothing.
What is the context of Psalms 73:6?
The moral character of the wicked: pride and violence are their identity.