Almost Stumbled
So their people return to this place and drink up waters in abundance. Psalm 73:10 · Berean Standard Bible
People follow their lead, and the followers prosper too—their whole network benefits from riding the coattails of these powerful, wicked people.
Asaph's observing the contagion effect. It's not just the leaders who are thriving; their whole entourage, their whole system of associates, is drinking deeply from the well of ill-gotten prosperity. Success breeds followers, and the followers get wealthy too.
Asaph, noting how corruption spreads through social systems.
This is always how human wickedness operates—it builds systems, networks, dynasties. It's seductive because it's not isolated; it promises abundance to everyone willing to participate. The book of Proverbs warns repeatedly about this.
Because of the wicked's prominence and apparent divine blessing, their people follow them in droves, absorbing their teachings and prosperity like water into parched ground.
This verse's syntax is notoriously difficult; scholars debate whether this depicts the wicked's successful influence or their people's eventual judgment. The image of abundant waters suggests satiation and plenty, but in wisdom contexts, following the wicked toward apparent abundance leads toward a well of deception rather than genuine refreshment.
Asaph observing how social influence flows downward—the wicked's success corrupts their community, who imitate their path.
This illustrates how unchecked wickedness metastasizes socially; individual transgression becomes institutional evil as followers replicate the pattern of their leaders.
8They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
9They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.
10So their people return to this place and drink up waters in abundance.
11The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?”
12Behold, these are the wicked— always carefree as they increase their wealth.
Read all of Psalm 73 — Asaph nearly lost his faith watching the wicked prosper — until he entered the sanctuary and saw the end of the story.
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