Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 73:4

"For there are no pangs in their death; But their strength is firm." — Psalms 73:4 (ASV)

For there are no bands in their death - The word translated “bands” here literally means “cords tightly drawn” (Isaiah 58:6); then, pains, pangs, torments—as if one were twisted or tortured with pain, like a cord that is tightly twisted. This word occurs only in Isaiah 58:6 and in this passage.

The fact to which the psalmist refers here, and which caused him so much distress, is what often occurs: when the wicked die, they do not seem to suffer in proportion to their wickedness, or there seem to be no special marks of divine displeasure as they are about to leave the world.

They have lived in prosperity, and they die in peace. There is no uncommon agony in death; there is no special alarm about the future world. They have enjoyed this world, and a sinful life now seems to be followed by a peaceful death.

They do not even suffer as much in death as good people often do—so what then is the advantage of piety? And how can we believe that God is just, or that He is the friend of the righteous, or even that there is a God? There can be no doubt about the fact to which the psalmist here refers—that the wicked live and die in this way—and that fact has caused perplexity for good people in all ages of the world.

But their strength is firm - The margin, as in Hebrew, reads “fat.” This means they are not emaciated and weakened by disease, but they go down to death apparently from good health, and without wasting disease. (See the notes on Job 21:23-26).