Psalm 73

Introduction

It doesn’t matter how many movies you have watched you want the good guys to win

You expect to see the good guys win

It is in our nature

We want the bad guys caught

We want the crooked business guy to get busted

The Good Guy’s are supposed to win

It leaves us satisfied when it ends like it is supposed too

i was excited for a movie called No Country for Old Men

The Bad guy wins in the end

I was angry for a week over it

We are in Psalm 73 today

it is the start of Book 3 of the Psalter

If you read Psalm 72 you are on a high

Hope and dreams for an awesome future

Then Boom Psalm 73 slaps you in the face with the human experience

The dreams of Psalm 72 are met with the real world of Psalm 73 and its brutal

We are going to walk through Psalm 73 today with the author through his confusion, questions, and ultimate return to trust in God’s promised Future for His people

When the Bad Guys Look To Be Winning: V 1-12

The Turning Point: V 13-17

Anchored in The True Story: V 18-28

We will work through the Whole Psalm as we look at each part

First

1. When the Bad Guys Look To Be Winning: V 1-12

Psalm 73:1–12 CSB

God is indeed good to Israel, to the pure in heart. But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my steps nearly went astray. For I envied the arrogant; I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have an easy time until they die, and their bodies are well fed. They are not in trouble like others; they are not afflicted like most people. Therefore, pride is their necklace, and violence covers them like a garment. Their eyes bulge out from fatness; the imaginations of their hearts run wild. They mock, and they speak maliciously; they arrogantly threaten oppression. They set their mouths against heaven, and their tongues strut across the earth. Therefore his people turn to them and drink in their overflowing words. The wicked say, “How can God know? Does the Most High know everything?” Look at them—the wicked! They are always at ease, and they increase their wealth.

What he is seeing doesn’t live up to the expectation he has for life from what he knows

“I know God is who He says He is…but....”

I believe the God is goof to Israel was added later and the original translation is this: ““Surely God is good to the upright; God to the pure in heart.”

He is saying I know I have this right …God is Good to His people who love him and are called according to His purposes”

2. The Turning Point: V 13-17

Psalm 73:13–17 CSB

Did I purify my heart and wash my hands in innocence for nothing? For I am afflicted all day long and punished every morning. If I had decided to say these things aloud, I would have betrayed your people. When I tried to understand all this, it seemed hopeless until I entered God’s sanctuary. Then I understood their destiny.

3. Anchored In The True Story: V 18-28

Psalm 73:18–28 CSB

Indeed, you put them in slippery places; you make them fall into ruin. How suddenly they become a desolation! They come to an end, swept away by terrors. Like one waking from a dream, Lord, when arising, you will despise their image. When I became embittered and my innermost being was wounded, I was stupid and didn’t understand; I was an unthinking animal toward you. Yet I am always with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me up in glory. Who do I have in heaven but you? And I desire nothing on earth but you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever. Those far from you will certainly perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, God’s presence is my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge, so I can tell about all you do.