This week we add to our journey through Psalms Book 3. As I have shared with you when we started the Book of Psalms, for study purposes it is broken down is to 5 sections. Today we read Psalm 73…28 verses and it is the first in this section which includes 73-89. Open your bibles and let’s go… I will be reading from the NLT version. I am using for my research material The New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume 4 and Clarke’s Commentary.

When we start this Psalm 73 it travels back to the very start of the psalter, Psalm 1 & 2 which we read in our first unit of this study. We see here in psalm 73 that the primary characters are the wicked and the conclusion of psalm 73 goes back to that of psalm 1 vv. 5-6. 

5 

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment

    nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous,

6 

for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,

    but the way of the wicked will perish.

It recalls Psalm 2:12 usage of refuge 

12

with trembling kiss his feet, or he will be angry, and you will perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled.

We read that sameness inPsalm 73:28

28 

he let them fall within their camp,

    all around their dwellings.

 

Here is an interesting note… Moving through the songs and prayers of  Psalms 3-72 we note that our happiness and prosperity has everything to do with God’s presence in our life and all  the threats and sufferings of this life. It could be easily argued that in some aspects this could be a profession of faith and be a part of religious instruction or as liturgy. Now as we take a look at the structure of Psalm 73 we will break it down into 3 sections of verses and also by verses.

Section 1

vv. 1-12 are the problem (12 Lines) 

vv. 1-3 the plight of the psalmist (3 lines)

vv.  4-12 the prosperity of the wicked (nine lines)

Section 2 

vv. 13-17 turning point

Section 3  

vv. 18-28 the solution (12 lines)

vv.  18-20 the plight of the wicked (3 lines) 

vv.   21-28 the prosperity of the psalmist (9 lines) 

Short note before we move on from Clarke’s Commentary.

“A Psalm of Asaph:” and it is likely that this Asaph was the composer of it; that he lived under the Babylonish captivity; and that he published this Psalm to console the Israelites under bondage, who were greatly tried to find themselves in such outward distress and misery, while a people much more wicked and corrupt than they, were in great prosperity, and held them in bondage.

Times were hard but even being captives they had many blessings from God…The best of which was they had promises of deliverance,  which would be fulfilled in due time. It is understood throughout scripture, Old and New that those of a pure heart would never be forsaken by God. Here we see doubt creep in as we all often wonder how the wicked always seem to prosper as we struggle with the difficulties and the afflictions of life. It is only natural for us to be irritated at our circumstances. We must remember that these wicked people have no conception of what is to come…there is a time of judgement yet to come. It is a very good possibility that if we had endless comforts we would never prepare for something better. It is really not that hard to understand…If it weren’t for our human trials and afflictions, why just the struggle of everyday life…most of us would never understand the need we have for God, for his love and protection and of course the promise of the resurrection. To go just a little further consider this. Without the cross there would have been no resurrection and we would not really be so concerned about what is next. Life would be only temporal, praise God for the promise of the resurrection, that which is to come to those who believe. The following verses in this psalm builds on that hope. Verse four is interesting. I know it is old school…so to speak but Satan will throw everything at us in this life even including for some a painful death…all this to shake our confidence in our God. The ungodly know nothing of this because Satan is sure of them and he will not come against his prey. Kinda reminds me of the story about frogs. Put some frogs in a pot of water and they are content, turn the heat up and by the time they realize they are in trouble it is to late. The ungodly are distracted by the sins of life and the flesh, by the time they realize what is happening, it will be to late. They go quietly like sheep to the slaughter. Verse 6, 7,8 are explicit, they do not not minimize the evil that is among us. I will not list all the signs of office and position of that day which were emblems of magistracy and civil power but these emblems only pointed to those who were responsible for the misery of the people. They were signs of violence, and the oppressive conduct that encompassed them. These signs of office and power were used to plunder of the poor and defenseless. They have become fat from their plunder and only wish for more. They cannot be satisfied even though they have more than they expected it still isn’t more than they wish for. Does this resonate with you? They are corrupt, they discount excessive acts and   they neither show equity, kindness, nor mercy; they are cruel, and they vindicate their proceedings. These people blaspheme God, ridicule religion, mock at Providence, and laugh at a concept of judgement for the wicked.They find fault with every thing; they speak badly of  the just in heaven, and ridicule the saints that are upon earth. They criticize every prospect of the judgement of God to come.

In verse 10 I struggle to understand even with the aid of various commentaries. I think when I read 10,11 and 12 it helped me some to understand better. We can become dismayed and confused with all the actions and words going on around us. We might even ask does God know what’s going on here? I look around me and still see all these wicked people getting richer from my misery. He is driven in verse 12 to say…it is ungodly that they still flaunt their irreligious and profane behavior before God and His people. Verse 13 leads us into a  dangerous thought. The psalmist put forth the question of have I cleansed my heart in vain? Does not God honor our efforts to worship the true God, to walk according to the law of righteousness, and keep the ordinances of the Most High? Verses 14,15 and 16 to me represents a short lament from the psalmist as to his daily encounter, from early morn on of trouble and pain. He has refrained from speaking to it least he be at odds with God’s people. It has been a difficult task for him to understand why these wicked people still prosper! We must remember and understand that this Psalm was written during the captivity, there was no sanctuary in captivity and none in Jerusalem, it had been destroyed. We need to learn that where we set apart our hearts and minds to seek our God is where he will meet us. It is a slippery path the unrighteous walk and they will eventually fall. All the riches in the world will never get you past those gates. Remember what Jesus said…  “Sell what thou hast, and give to the poor; and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up thy cross, and follow me.” Many of us remember that every action has a reaction and so naturally we as Christians recognize that sin has its consequences. Verse 19 tells us God’s reaction to sin… 

How suddenly are they destroyed,
    completely swept away by terrors! (NIV)

Without God whatever appearance they had of greatness, nobility, honor, and happiness was swept away in an instant. They knew nothing of the greatness of God, had they, surely they would have not risk such dishonor.? Yet we of The Way, are sorry for their demise under such circumstances. But at the same time it awakens in me  that myself and my people are under God’s care; that we are continually upheld by HIM; and while in His hand, we shall not be utterly cast down. Verses 24-26 lift us up and encourage us to remain on the right path. We may have full confidence that when we follow the  WORD and SPIRIT as our guide through life; those who have done thy righteous will, shall be received into thy eternal glory. There is nothing here in this life we will need in heaven… God has made known His position on both heaven and earth… but we will do well to remember we have an advocate in heaven, Jesus Christ, therefore where do you look? We all will die and it is wise to make God the rock of your heart. Look to the heavens because it is God and God alone that can tend the desires and wishes of an immortal spirit. We have the prospect of its being for ever, this eternity thing, that is the inheritance of those who believe and serve.

As we wrap this up with the last two verses 27-28 we go back to the title of this blog… It is Good to be Near God….  WE reminded they that are far from thee shall perish. To be clear, it is good to draw near to God.

From the writings of Clarke’s Commentary:

I have put my trust in the Lord God — I confide in Jehovah, my Prop and Stay. I have taken him for my portion.

That I may declare all thy works. — That I may testify to all how good it is to draw nigh to God; and what a sufficient portion he is to the soul of man.

Life is Good

jk