This begins Book III (Psalms 73-89).
A Psalm of Asaph. The eternal and temporal view of the godly and wicked, a personal testimony.
Profession of Faith
v.1 Asaph begins with his conclusion. God is good to those with a pure heart.
Trial of Faith
v.2-3 The crisis (speaker was envious of the prosperity of the wicked).
v.4-12 Description of the prosperous wicked.
These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for. (v.7, NLT)
v.13-14 Speaker’s discontent at having lived a godly life.
Renewal of Faith
v.15-17 Now the speaker sees rightly, having worshiped in the temple.
v.18-20 A second look at the wicked.
v.21-22 Speaker puts down his earlier attitude.
v.23-26 A second look at the godly life.
You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. (v.24, NLT)
v.27-28 Summary. The wicked perish and God rewards the godly.
This psalm reminds us to focus on the eternal rather than the temporal. We never need to doubt the goodness of God. Do you desire God more than your earthly possessions?
I am preparing a discussion of Romans 6:15-23 for a group. I think that passage goes right along with Asaph’s crisis of faith. “I was envious of the arrogant” (Ps 73:3a). “Should we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace” (Rom. 6:15)? Paul’s response is “by no means!”
It reminds me of sharing Christ with some young friends who were really into marijuana. They wanted to come to Jesus and be a part of the church. The problem was, on Sundays, they really loved to smoke weed and then go to the movies. That’s how they wanted to spend their Sundays. The girl (about 21 years old) told, “I have to admit, I really enjoy doing that. It’s fun.” What happens when sin is fun?
Scholar Paul Achtemeier puts in terms of life and death. Sure smoking a joint might be fun, but that life leads to death. Righteousness leads to life and to a relationship with God. “Your guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me with honor” (Ps 73:24).