Psalms 73:10

His people; either,

1. The people of those wicked blasphemers; all their children, and servants, and friends, encouraged by their example. Or rather,

2. The people of God, who is oft understood under the pronoun relative he or his, though he be not expressed, as Psalms 105:19 Isaiah 30:23. See the like Psalms 87:1 Song of Solomon 1:2. But then as God's people are of two sorts, some that are so really and sincerely, and others that are so only in profession and show, in which sense the whole body of the Israelitish nation, yea, even the wicked among them, are called his people, as Psalms 81:11 Isaiah 1:3 Jeremiah 2:11, &c.; so this may be understood, either,

1. Of those true Israelites, Psalms 73:1. Even the godly were startled and stumbled at this, as David was, Psa 37, and Jeremiah, Jer 12 But although they might have some murmuring thoughts about this matter, it seems not probable that they would either give way to such thoughts, or break forth into such expressions, as are here ascribed to them, Psalms 73:11; nor are such things to be imputed to them without necessity; nor did either David or Jeremiah in their conflicts utter any thing of this nature. Or rather,

2. Of the carnal, hypocritical Israelites, who perceiving the impunity and prosperity of these ungodly wretches, were easily drawn to the approbation and imitation of their courses. And this may seem most suitable to the context; for the description of the condition, and carriage, and words of these ungodly men, which begins Psalms 73:4, seems to be continued to Psalms 73:13; then follows the psalmist's reflection and consideration upon the whole matter, from Psalms 73:13 to the end. Return hither, or, turn hither, i.e. to this wicked company, or to their course. Waters of a full cup are wrung out to them: waters, in Scripture, do ofttimes signify afflictions, and as oft comforts and mercies. So the sense may be, either,

1. And whilst the wicked prosper, God doth wring out waters out of the cup of tribulation, and causeth his holy ones to drink them up: compare Psalms 75:8, Psalms 80:5 Isaiah 51:17 Jeremiah 25:15, &c. Or rather,

2. And those hypocritical Israelites find themselves gainers by their apostacy, and they partake of the same prosperity with their leaders, and God seems to give them a full cup of consolation, and to pour forth his mercies upon them in such abundance, as if he would wring or squeeze out all his blessings out of his stores to bestow upon them. And meeting with such success to their wickedness, it is not strange if they put that question, Psalms 73:11.