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 attitude as most important. Purity of heart means being totally committed to God.
However, Asaph confessed that he almost stumbled in his walk as a faithful believer when he thought about the great material prosperity of the wicked. The wealth and easy living of those who do not follow God's will strictly tempted Asaph to abandon his commitment to living by God's law.
One of the distinctive features of this psalm is the recurrence of the phrase "but as for me"(vv. 2, 28, and 22 and 23 in the Hebrew text).
73:4-12 The writer next described the ways the wicked behave. They seem more care-free (vv. 4-5), proud and violent (v. 6), as well as unrestrained (v. 7). They speak proudly (vv. 8-9), lead others after themselves (v. 10), and act as if God does not care how they live (v. 11; cf. Ps. 94:7). With few cares they continue to prosper (v. 12; cf. vv. 4-5).
73:13-14 After observing the wicked, Asaph felt his commitment to follow God faithfully was a mistake. Instead of prospering he experienced more problems. God seemed to be punishing the pure in heart and prospering the proud.
