Psalms Chapter 73 — The Prosperity of the Wicked
Asaph explores the internal struggle of seeing the wicked prosper while the faithful suffer, eventually finding clarity in God's sanctuary.
1Surely God*The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim). is good to Israel,
2But as for me, my feet were almost gone.
3For I was envious of the arrogant,
4For there are no struggles in their death,
5They are free from burdens of men,
6Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck.
7Their eyes bulge with fat.
8They scoff and speak with malice.
9They have set their mouth in the heavens.
10Therefore their people return to them,
11They say, “How does God know?
12Behold, these are the wicked.
13Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,
14For all day long I have been plagued,
15If I had said, “I will speak thus”,
16When I tried to understand this,
17until I entered God’s sanctuary,
18Surely you set them in slippery places.
19How they are suddenly destroyed!
20As a dream when one wakes up,
21For my soul was grieved.
22I was so senseless and ignorant.
23Nevertheless, I am continually with you.
24You will guide me with your counsel,
25Whom do I have in heaven?
26My flesh and my heart fails,
27For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish.
28But it is good for me to come close to God.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Psalms 73:17
“until I entered God’s sanctuary, then I considered their latter end.”
This verse marks the shift in the psalmist's perspective from earthly envy to spiritual understanding.
Psalms 73:25
“Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you.”
It expresses a total devotion to God as the ultimate source of satisfaction.
Psalms 73:26
“My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
This verse is a famous declaration of God's sufficiency even in times of physical or emotional weakness.
Chapter Summary
Psalm 73, attributed to Asaph, begins with a confession of doubt. The psalmist admits his faith nearly faltered when he observed the apparent ease and wealth of arrogant and wicked people. He describes them as being free from common human burdens, full of pride, and even scoffing at God. This observation led the writer to question if keeping his own heart pure was in vain. However, a turning point occurs when he enters the sanctuary of God. There, he gains a new perspective on the ultimate fate of the wicked, seeing their prosperity as a slippery and temporary state leading to sudden destruction. He acknowledges his own previous ignorance and bitterness, realizing that despite his doubts, God remained with him. The chapter concludes with a reaffirmation of trust, as the psalmist declares that God is his strength and that being near to God is his ultimate good.
Frequently Asked Questions
The author observed that arrogant and wicked people often seemed to live without struggles, enjoying wealth and health while mocking God. This led to a temporary feeling that living a righteous life was pointless.
His perspective changed when he entered the sanctuary of God. This spiritual experience allowed him to see beyond current circumstances and realize that the prosperity of the wicked is temporary and leads to destruction.
The text is traditionally attributed to Asaph, who was a leader of choral music in the tabernacle and temple during the reign of David.
Study Note
Psalm 73 is the opening psalm of Book III of the Psalter, often characterized by its focus on national and personal crises.
Related Chapters
Psalms 37
Both chapters deal with the theme of not envying the wicked who seem to prosper.
Job 21
The book of Job also questions why the wicked live long and reach old age in prosperity.
Habakkuk 1
The prophet Habakkuk similarly struggles with the success of the treacherous and the suffering of the righteous.
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