Psalm 73: Until…

This Psalm, like the ten psalms before it, are attributed to Asaph, and we have no reasonto doubt that this is so. It is a story of discouragement, followed by encouragement andenlightenment as to God’s dealings in the world – and it contains some of the mostmemorable poetic lines in the entire Psalms. There is no information given as to theevents giving rise to it, except to say that Asaph was in great distress looking at theprosperity of the wicked. The Psalm has been divided into the following sections:

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That there is a God who presides in the affairs of people.

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The psalmist observes that the wicked seem to be prosperous.

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He seeks to hide his feelings on the matter so as not to harm the godly andhumble people.

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He has a revelation in the sanctuary which calms his heart – that God is indeed just and will right all wrongs.

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He realizes that he has been short-sighted.

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He commits himself to God.

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A Psalm of Asaph.

Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are of aclean heart. (2) But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps hadnearly slipped. (3) For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw theprosperity of the wicked.

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Asaph spells out the truth that God is good to Israel and in particular He is goodto those who have a clean heart. Indeed, Jesus taught us that God sends His rain

Psalms Bible Study Psalm 73

on the just and the unjust alike. Yet we know He especially favors those whoserve Him.

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Asaph developed an anxious concern in his heart as he surveyed the humancondition and saw that many of the wicked prosper. This almost caused him toslip; in other words, he nearly fell from his position of faith through envying the wicked.

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The prosperity of the wicked has been a temptation to many who (a) felt deprived when they did not have what they saw the wicked have; or (b) felt encouraged todo evil thinking that God did not see their actions.

(4) For there are no cords in their death, but their strength is firm. (5)They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like othermen. (6) Therefore pride encircles them as a chain; violence covers themas a garment. (7) Their eyes bulge out with fatness; they have more thanheart could wish. (8) They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerningoppression; they speak loftily. (9) They set their mouth against theheavens, and their tongue walks through the earth. (10) Therefore hispeople return here, and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.

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A in-depth description of the wicked follows. The reference to "no cords" meanscords or bands tightly drawn, and is meant to refer to pain gripping people. Hissense is that they have no trouble as others even in death.

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Because of how they prosper this they are clothed with pride. All of thisencourages them to become violent.

Psalms Bible Study Psalm 73

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Verse 6 is almost comical in its exaggeration – the wicked are so heavy from theirlife of luxury and gluttony that their eyes are bulging out of their heads. Here wecould imagine a stereotypical Roman emperor feasting on a couch all day andthen purging himself so that he could continue.

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In verse 8 we see their boasting: they plan to rob and commit other acts of oppression, and speak proudly in general. In verse 9 we also see that they speak against the heavens - literally they speak as if they were in the heavens and thushad heavenly authority. Their tongue is running all over the place!

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In verse 10 the idea is that his (meaning God's) people return – not to a place – but to this idea that Asaph is spelling out for us; they cry the waters of a full cup.

(11) And they say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge in themost High?” (12) Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world;they increase in riches. (13) Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence. (14) For all day long I have been plagued,and chastened every morning. (15) If I say, I will speak thus, behold, I would offend against the generation of thy children.

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This is the complaint of the righteous - they are tempted to think that all they have done to serve God and all they have done to keep a pure heart and cleanhands is a waste of time.

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In verse 14 his entire day seems to be filled with vexation. He feels punishedevery morning.