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Texts -- Psalms 73:1-22 (NET)

Context

Book 3
(Psalms 73-89)

Psalm 73
73:1 A psalm by Asaph . Certainly God is good to Israel , and to those whose motives are pure ! 73:2 But as for me , my feet almost slipped ; my feet almost slid out from under me. 73:3 For I envied those who are proud , as I observed the prosperity of the wicked . 73:4 For they suffer no pain ; their bodies are strong and well-fed . 73:5 They are immune to the trouble common to men ; they do not suffer as other men do. 73:6 Arrogance is their necklace , and violence their clothing . 73:7 Their prosperity causes them to do wrong; their thoughts are sinful . 73:8 They mock and say evil things ; they proudly threaten violence . 73:9 They speak as if they rule in heaven , and lay claim to the earth . 73:10 Therefore they have more than enough food to eat, and even suck up the water of the sea. 73:11 They say , “How does God know what we do? Is the sovereign one aware of what goes on ?” 73:12 Take a good look ! This is what the wicked are like, those who always have it so easy and get richer and richer . 73:13 I concluded, “Surely in vain I have kept my motives pure and maintained a pure lifestyle . 73:14 I suffer all day long, and am punished every morning .” 73:15 If I had publicized these thoughts, I would have betrayed your loyal followers . 73:16 When I tried to make sense of this , it was troubling to me . 73:17 Then I entered the precincts of God’s temple , and understood the destiny of the wicked. 73:18 Surely you put them in slippery places ; you bring them down to ruin . 73:19 How desolate they become in a mere moment ! Terrifying judgments make their demise complete ! 73:20 They are like a dream after one wakes up . O Lord , when you awake you will despise them . 73:21 Yes , my spirit was bitter , and my insides felt sharp pain . 73:22 I was ignorant and lacked insight ; I was as senseless as an animal before you.

Pericope

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Arts

Hymns

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  • [Psa 73:1] O God, How Good Thou Art
  • [Psa 73:2] God Loveth The Righteous

Questions

Resources/Books

Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • The texts of the individual psalms do not usually indicate who wrote them.1However some of the titles of the individual psalms do contain information about the writers.2This is the only really reliable information we have as ...
  • I. Book 1: chs. 1-41II. Book 2: chs. 42-72III. Book 3: chs. 73-89IV. Book 4: chs. 90-106V. Book 5: chs. 107-150...
  • This psalm advances the thought of Psalm 36. Here David urged the righteous not to let the prosperity of the wicked upset them but to continue to trust in God's justice. Similar encouragements characterize Psalms 49 and 73. H...
  • The writer reflected on the problem that the prosperity of the wicked poses in this wisdom psalm (cf. Ps. 73). He observed that there are many ungodly people who enjoy many physical blessings. Still he concluded that the righ...
  • This psalm pictures God seated in His heavenly throne room. He has two indictments against His people Israel. The wicked among them were hypocritical in their worship, a violation of the first part of the Decalogue, and in th...
  • A man or men named Asaph wrote 17 of the psalms in this book (Pss. 73-83). Other writers were the sons of Korah (Pss. 84-85, 87), David (Ps. 86), Heman (Ps. 88), and Ethan (Ps. 89). Asaph, Heman, and Ethan were musicians from...
  • 73:1-3 Asaph began this psalm by affirming God's goodness to His people, specifically those whose hearts are pure because they seek to follow God faithfully (v. 1). This verse provides the key to the psalm by highlighting att...
  • 73:15-20 The present condition of the wicked tends to make the godly question the wisdom of their strong commitment to the Lord. However the future condition of those who disregard God's will now helped Asaph remain loyal to ...
  • 89:38-45 Next Ethan recounted what God had permitted to overtake David. He was now weak and defeated rather than being strong and successful. God had apparently cut David off and gone back on His promises. The fall of Jerusal...
  • Allen, Ronald B. "Evidence from Psalm 89."In A Case for Premillennialism: A New Consensus, pp. 55-77. Edited by Donald K. Campbell and Jeffrey L. Townsend. Chicago: Moody Press, 1992._____. Lord of Song. Portland: Multnomah P...
  • To clarify his meaning and to support his contention in verse 3, Solomon cited examples from nature. Work produces nothing ultimate or truly satisfying.1:4 No person is permanent on the earth. The earth remains, but people di...
  • This pericope contains one of Jeremiah's "confessions,"a self-revelation of the prophet's own struggles to cope with God's actions (cf. 10:23-24; 15:10-12, 15-21; 17:9-11, 14-18; 18:18-23; and 20:7-18).219The heart of this on...
  • Having given a true prophecy about the future, Jeremiah proceeded to announce God's judgment on the false prophets who were misleading His people with false prophecies (cf. v. 1). This section consists of six different messag...
  • Whereas the previous verses have focused on the Antichrist, those in this pericope concern Israel. Here we learn that this "end time"will definitely be a time of intense persecution of Jews. This section constitutes the clima...
  • That another oracle is in view is clear from the question and answer format that begins this pericope, as it does the others. Verse 17 contains the question and answer, and the discussion follows in 3:1-6. The Israelites' cha...

Expositions Of Holy Scripture (Maclaren)

  • I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.'--Psalm 17:15.As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when Thou awakest, Thou shalt despise their image.'--Psalm 73:20.BOTH of these Psalms are occupied with that standi...
  • Truly my soul waiteth upon God. 5. My soul, wait thou only upon God.' Psalm 62:1-5.We have here two corresponding clauses, each beginning a section of the psalm. They resemble each other even more closely than appears from th...
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