Thoughts on Psalm 73
Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 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. Psalm 73:1-28 (KJV)
Psalm 73 shows us that the wicked may prosper for a time, but it doesn’t last, therefore we need to stay focused on God.
When we see the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer at times, we don’t like it and it raises questions in our minds about God. Yet, we must look at the end of both parties. The wicked will perish, but the righteous will be with God forever. We must stay focused on God at all times. Know that God is just and that He will make things right. We have to trust Him and believe He knows what is going on. We need to remember that God is good and keep ourselves from becoming bitter towards Him.
Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Psalm 73:21-23 (KJV)
According to this passage, if we aren’t careful, we can become foolish for lack of knowledge. Even when we don’t understand and what we see around us bothers us, we know the One who knows all things. God knows how to help us. In all our weakness and frailties, God lets us be with Him. He knows we need Him. Life only makes sense with God, and God alone knows how to hold us up when things get us down.
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Psalm 73:24 (KJV)
Throughout our lives, God will guide us safely through life’s journey and get us to heaven.
Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 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. Psalm 73:25-28 (KJV)
God is Who we need. He’s more than enough. Even when we fail, God is there. He is our strength. When our hearts and flesh fail us, God is our strength, our Rock. He is stability and security for us; our portion forever. The things we go through don’t last- they have an expiration date- but God lasts forever. We must go through to get through. As we draw near to God in tough times, God prevails when all else fails. As we look to Him and get His perspective, we can persevere through things. Seeing things from His point of view is part of being on God’s side. When we are on God’s side, we are on the winning side. We win- now and forever!
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For additional study: Have you ever noticed that if you switch the numbers in Psalm 73 to 37, the two Psalms actually go together? Study both Psalms and see how they match up! They both speak about how we ultimately inherit all things even though the wicked appear to be prospering.
