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.
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The Psalmist's Initial Struggle

1
A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. ​
2
But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. ​
3
For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ​

The Deceptive Prosperity of the Wicked

4
For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. ​
5
They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6
Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. ​
7
Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. ​
8
They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9
They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. ​
10
Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. ​
11
And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? ​
12
Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

Doubt and Despair

13
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. ​
14
For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. ​
15
If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. ​
16
When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

The Turning Point in the Sanctuary

17
Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. ​
18
Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. ​
19
How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20
As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. ​
21
Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
22
So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. ​

Assurance and Eternal Hope

23
Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. ​
24
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. ​
25
Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. ​
26
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. ​
27
For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. ​
28
But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy 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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