Psalms73

Asaph initially struggles with his faith, almost stumbling due to envy of the wicked's apparent prosperity and ease. However, upon entering God's sanctuary, he gains understanding of their sudden and ultimate destruction. He then reaffirms his unwavering trust in God, recognizing Him as his constant guide, strength, and eternal portion, despite his own failings.

The Psalmist's Initial Struggle

1
A psalm of Asaf: How good God is to Isra'el, to those who are pure in heart! ​
2
But as for me, I lost my balance, my feet nearly slipped, ​
3
when I grew envious of the arrogant and saw how the wicked prosper. ​

The Deceptive Prosperity of the Wicked

4
For when their death comes, it is painless; and meanwhile, their bodies are healthy; ​
5
they don't have ordinary people's troubles, they aren't plagued like others.
6
So for them, pride is a necklace; and violence clothes them like a robe. ​
7
Their eyes peep out through folds of fat; evil thoughts overflow from their hearts. ​
8
They scoff and speak with malice, they loftily utter threats.
9
They set their mouths against heaven; their tongues swagger through the earth. ​
10
Therefore his people return here and [thoughtlessly] suck up that whole cup of water. ​
11
Then they ask, "How does God know? Does the Most High really have knowledge?" ​
12
Yes, this is what the wicked are like; those free of misfortune keep increasing their wealth.

Doubt and Despair

13
It's all for nothing that I've kept my heart clean and washed my hands, staying free of guilt; ​
14
for all day long I am plagued; my punishment comes every morning. ​
15
If I had said, "I will talk like them,"I would have betrayed a generation of your children. ​
16
When I tried to understand all this, I found it too hard for me -

The Turning Point in the Sanctuary

17
until I went into the sanctuaries of God and grasped what their destiny would be. ​
18
Indeed, you place them on a slippery slope and make them fall to their ruin. ​
19
How suddenly they are destroyed, swept away by terrors!
20
They are like a dream when one awakens; Adonai, when you rouse yourself, you will despise their phantoms. ​
21
When I had a sour attitude and felt stung by pained emotions,
22
I was too stupid to understand; I was like a brute beast with you. ​

Assurance and Eternal Hope

23
Nevertheless, I am always with you; you hold my right hand. ​
24
You will guide me with your advice; and afterwards, you will receive me with honor. ​
25
Whom do I have in heaven but you? And with you, I lack nothing on earth. ​
26
My mind and body may fail; but God is the rock for my mind and my portion forever. ​
27
Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who adulterously leave you. ​
28
But for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made Adonai ELOHIM my refuge, so that I can tell of all your works. ​

Study Notes for Psalms 73

Verse 1

This verse introduces the psalm with a crucial theological affirmation (God is good to Israel), which the Psalmist’s subsequent crisis of faith will test. Asaph, the author, immediately confirms the orthodox view before describing his doubt.

Verse 2

The metaphor of 'slipping feet' illustrates the near-total collapse of the Psalmist’s faith when confronted with the perplexing reality of injustice in the world.

Verse 3

The crisis is triggered by envy, a deep emotional response to the apparent success and prosperity enjoyed by those who actively disregard divine law.

Verse 4

The phrase 'no bands in their death' suggests that the wicked experience an easy, peaceful, and painless end, contrasting sharply with the suffering often associated with the righteous (see v. 14).

Verse 6

Pride and violence are described as clothing ('chain,' 'garment'), symbolizing that these sins are their defining characteristics and are displayed openly without shame.

Verse 7

Their physical indulgence ('eyes stand out with fatness') is a biblical sign of excessive luxury and moral corruption resulting from unchecked wealth and self-gratification.

Verse 9

Setting their mouth 'against the heavens' is supreme blasphemy, claiming superiority over God. Their tongue walking 'through the earth' signifies their widespread arrogance and destructive influence.

Verse 10

This difficult verse suggests that the wicked’s success causes even God's own people ('his people') to turn away from faith, perhaps adopting the wicked’s skepticism or being drawn into their prosperity.

Verse 11

This rhetorical question expresses the core arrogance of the ungodly: the denial of God's active knowledge, involvement, or care in human affairs (a form of practical atheism).

Verse 13

This marks the peak of the Psalmist's crisis. He feels that his commitment to purity and righteousness ('cleansed my heart') has been useless, as he has received only affliction while the wicked thrive.

Verse 14

The Psalmist contrasts his constant affliction ('plagued, and chastened every morning') with the ease of the wicked (v. 4), highlighting the apparent failure of the covenant promises of blessing.

Verse 15

Asaph recognizes that voicing his painful doubts publicly would cause others who trust God ('the generation of thy children') to stumble, showing a concern for corporate faith despite his personal agony.

Verse 17

The 'sanctuary of God' (the Temple) is the place of divine encounter. The resolution to the Psalmist’s crisis is not found through intellectual reasoning, but through spiritual insight granted during worship.

Verse 18

The vision changes: the wicked’s prosperity is now seen not as security, but as a dangerous, unstable height ('slippery places') from which God will cast them down into swift judgment.

Verse 20

The wicked's existence is transient and illusory, like a dream that vanishes when one wakes up. When God acts ('thou awakest'), their power and image will be utterly dismissed.

Verse 22

Looking back, Asaph judges his own jealousy and doubt as utterly irrational and spiritually dull, comparing his lack of understanding to that of an unthinking 'beast.'

Verse 23

Despite his momentary lapse (v. 22), the Psalmist affirms that God never abandoned him ('continually with thee'), illustrating God's steadfast faithfulness even when human faith falters.

Verse 24

This verse moves beyond temporal justice to eternal destiny. 'Glory' likely refers to eternal fellowship with God, which provides the ultimate resolution to the problem of suffering.

Verse 25

This is an intense expression of devotion (a confession of faith), declaring God as the sole object of desire and ultimate satisfaction, both in heaven and on earth.

Verse 26

Recognizing physical and emotional frailty, the Psalmist grounds his hope in God, who is his 'portion for ever.' This echoes the Levitical concept where God himself is the ultimate inheritance.

Verse 27

The fate of those who reject God ('go a whoring,' a metaphor for spiritual idolatry or apostasy) is contrasted sharply with the eternal hope of those who draw near to Him.

Verse 28

The psalm concludes with a renewed commitment to ministry ('declare all thy works') and closeness to God, affirming the goodness stated in verse 1, but now based on spiritual experience and revelation.

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