From The Psalm: Comparative Life_How Real Are You?
His offense was that he was envious of the prosperity of the wicked.
A. Prosperity of the wicked (73:1–14)
A. Prosperity of the wicked (73:1–14)
Why should the people who oppose God be better off than those who trust Him? This problem was so overwhelming he almost lost faith in God’s goodness.
His offense was that he was envious of the prosperity of the wicked.
His offense was that he was envious of the prosperity of the wicked.
73:4–12. Asaph explained the prosperity that troubled him. He observed that the wicked do not seem to suffer trouble as other people do (vv. 4–5).
They cover themselves with pride and violence (v. 6). Their evil devices are unbounded (v. 7). Their speech is scornful, malicious, and arrogant, as if they owned the earth (vv. 8–9). Many people are carried away by their evil (they turn to them, v. 10) and presumptuous self-confidence, thinking God does not know of their sin (v. 11; cf. 94:7).
With no cares in the world (cf. 73:4–5, 12) wicked, arrogant people continue to prosper.
73:13–14. Asaph said he was confused over the value of his salvation. He felt that he had cleansed himself in vain (cf. pure in v. 1) because since trusting the Lord he had been plagued and chastened.
They cover themselves with pride and violence (v. 6). Their evil devices are unbounded (v. 7). Their speech is scornful, malicious, and arrogant, as if they owned the earth (vv. 8–9). Many people are carried away by their evil (they turn to them, v. 10) and presumptuous self-confidence, thinking God does not know of their sin (v. 11; cf. 94:7).
Like many saints before and after him, Asaph was puzzled that God seemed to prosper the wicked and punish the righteous.
B. Destiny of the wicked and the righteous (73:15–28)
73:15–20. Asaph overcame his doubts by considering the destiny of the wicked.
His words are like a confession, for he knew the treachery his words could have been to the congregation (v. 15).
The entire conflict was painful (oppressive) to him, till in the sanctuary he understood what will happen to the wicked.
God will set them in dangerous (slippery; cf. “slipped” in v. 2) places where they will stumble and fall, be cast … down in ruin, and suddenly be destroyed.
When God finally sets things right, the wicked will be like fantasies (a dream), counterfeits of reality. This was the negative aspect of the solution to Asaph’s problem.
73:21–26. The positive aspect of the solution was Asaph’s conviction of his own glorious destiny. He confessed that his perspective had been dulled by brutish ignorance. If he had not been so ignorant, he admitted, his heart would not have been so bitter (vv. 21–22).
(Grieved is lit., “grew sour”; embittered is lit., “felt stinging pains.”) His true position was in stark contrast with the wicked, for he knew God was always with him (v. 23) and would guide him wisely (with His counsel) and receive him into glory (v. 24).
“Into glory” could also be translated “with glory,” meaning that God would guide him through his troubles so that he would enjoy honor (and not shame; cf. 4:2) in this life.
Of course believers today know from the New Testament that God’s punishment of the wicked and blessing of the righteous extend beyond death.
Though Asaph was overwhelmed, God was his Strength (cf. 18:1) and His Portion (cf. 16:5; 119:57; 142:5). Some wicked people prosper materially but only the spiritual “possessions” of the righteous will last.
1 I love you, LORD;
you are my strength.
5 The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You support my lot.