Bible Commentaries
Psalms 73

Verses 1-28

Psalms BOOK III

(Psalms 73-89)

Psalms 73

Victory Over Doubt

This begins the third book of the Psalms, Psalms 73-89, corresponding with Leviticus, the third book of the Pentateuch. It sets forth how a redeemed and delivered people need and may secure daily cleansing and victory over the world, the flesh, and the Devil.

This 73rd Psalm, much like the 37th, teaches how one may have victory over doubts and uncertainties of life. This is usually referred to as "The Psalm of Asaph." It poses the problem of the prosperity of the wicked while the righteous seem to suffer, a thing that has plagued the minds of men in every generation. Only the Bible provides a satisfactory solution to the problem. Asaph had once expressed the cynicism and skepticism of Macbeth who said, "Life is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing," until, like David, he considered their latter end, in the light of God’s Word, v. 16, 17; Psalms 37.

Scripture v. 1-28:

Verse 1 teaches that God is only good, truly good to those of Israel, people who are redeemed, who have a "clean heart," called Israelites "in whom is no guile," John 1:47. The term "clean heart" refers to people with a "pure heart," those "who shall see God," Matthew 5:8. Those who are Israelites, only in appearance, are considered as heathen be­fore God. Men’s hearts, of all races, may be made pure by faith in Jesus Christ, Acts 15:9. Such only, are good before the Lord, as Barnabas, Acts 11:24.

Verses 2, 3 assert that before Asaph came to this conclusion his feet were almost gone; And his steps were nigh slipped from under him. For he was "envious at the foolish, when he saw the prosperity of the wicked." His faith had wavered; He was indignant with envy and covetousness when he saw the temporary flare of the prosperous wicked.

Such a spirit is unbecoming to any child of God, especially one in a position of leadership, in the home or in the church, Psalms 22:14; For the foolish, boasting, temporarily prosperous wicked shall be brought low in judgment, Psalms 5:5; Psalms 75:5; Luke 12:20-21; Luke 16:25.

Verse 4 adds "There are no bands in their death; but their strength is firm." The wicked had no growing pains from a need of food or medical treatment "unto" their death, as they obstinately died as a fool dieth, even as the rich man of Luke 12:20, and that of Luke 16:25; Job 21:7.

Verse 5 adds further, "They are not troubled as other men (of poorer fare); neither are they plagued like other men, the rest of the less fortunate in material things of Adam’s race., Job 14:1. But in the sanctuary he had learned the lesson of "after this the judgment," Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Hebrews 9:27-28.

Verse 6 continues "therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain, (to enslave them), violence covereth them as a garment," Their pride is like a chain that binds a criminal or a slave. A violent dungeon sentence awaits the proud and haughty who are rebels against God, living for this world only, with insolent ingratitude toward God, the Giver and Sustainer of their daily lives, Psalms 75:5; Isaiah 3:16; Ecclesiastes 8:11; Proverbs 8:13; Proverbs 6:16-17; Proverbs 16:18.

Verse 7-9 further indict the prosperous wicked with "eyes that stand out (puffed out) with fatness," bloated eyes from riotous conduct of gluttony and lustful fleshly living, "Having more than heart could wish," but not content therewith, like the rich barn builder, Luke 12:13-21. They are described as "corrupt and speaking wickedly concerning oppression." They speak loftily regarding it, their mastery over the oppressed, indicating their cruel-hearted words and deeds toward the less fortunate, the poor and the oppressed of the moment, 2 Peter 2:18; Judges 1:16.
Verse 9 adds "they set their minds against the heavens" as "their tongue walks through the earth," Revelation 13:6; They blasphemed like Satan, Job 1:7; Job 2:2.

Verses 10, 11 declare "therefore his people (those of God) return thither (to such ways also) and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them," or they are "sucked up" in the ways of the wicked, as their souls also carnally covet material prosperity, without regards for an’ hour of judgment after death, Psalms 75:8; Psalms 51:16. "So they (people of God say) how doth God know? And is there knowledge in the most High?" Job 22:13; Psalms 10:11. The apostate soon comes to question God’s providence altogether, to his own eternal hurt, Romans 8:28.

Verses 12, 13 observe "Behold these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world. They increase in riches," with seeming tranquillity, perpetually. Let it be observed that impatience too often exaggerates, for riches, pursued without, God, lead to shame, guilt, and fear, 1 Timothy 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Galatians 6:7-8. Asaph concluded "Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain (for no profit), and washed my hands in innocency," v. 1; Psalms 26:6; Malachi 3:14, breathes the same bad spirit or disposition of a doubting soul, like Thomas, who thought he had lost it all in the natural death of the Lord, John 10:19-22; James 4:8.

Verses 14-16 add "all day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning," in contrast with the prosperous wicked, v. 5, morning after morning, in every day. Verse 15 relates that Asaph hesitated to speak openly of the evil thoughts that he had in his heart toward God, about this, in his apostate state, v. 11. Else he would deal treacherously toward God, whom he purported to represent in music and song in Israel, Job 15:4; Psalms 14:5; Deuteronomy 14:11.
Verse 16 asserts: "When I thought to know this ... (or meditate to understand it) it was too painful for me." His conscience was burdened, knowing his thoughts were those of an hypocrite, living for one world only, as expressed Ecclesiastes 8:17; 1 John 2:15-17; Romans 12:1-2.

Verse 17 unkeys (unlocks) the eye door of mystery, to those who have a carnal mind, that are willing to be subject to open them to Divine truth. He understood the end of the prosperous when he had gone into God’s sanctuary, learned wisdom there, Psalms 27:4; Psalms 77:13; Psalms 119; Psalms 121; Hebrews 10:24-25;2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Verses 18, 19 described Asaph’s changed view of the prosperous, proud, boastful wicked, after he had gone to God’s sanctuary, and had a Divine preview of their "later end," when judgment came, v. 17. He beheld them from the sanctuary, as they would be judged who had been put at the judgment, where they had chosen to live, as on "slippery ground, cast down to destruction", Psalms 5:6. They were brought to desolation, utterly consumed with terrors, as in a moment, at the final judgment, as Pharaoh was at the Red Sea, Sodom and Gomorrah in Lot’s day, and Sennacherib in his stand against Jerusalem; See Job 18:11; Ezekiel 26:21; Revelation 20:11-15.

Verses 20-22 declare that when the Lord awakes, to final judgment of the prosperous, proud, obstinate wicked, it will be like one, awakening from a bad dream; as the Lord will "despise their image," Job 20:8; Job 34:26; Daniel 12:2; John 5:29; Romans 2:4-9. Asaph adds, "thus was my heart grieved (embittered) or soured, and I was as a beast before you," Isaiah 55:8-9.

Verses 23, 24 conclude that in spite of his former doubts, envy, cynicism, and covetousness, he had come back to be continually in communion with the Lord, and enjoyed being led by His right hand, since his eyes were opened in the house of the Lord, Matthew 14:31; as also expressed by David, Psalms 122. ); and Paul, 1 Timothy 3:15. He also pledged "Thou shaft guide me with thy counsel (hereafter) and afterward receive me to glory," to your glory-presence, John 14:3; Psalms 16:7; Psalms 25:9; Psalms 143:8-10; Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 58:8. See also 2 Corinthians 5:1; 2 Timothy 4:8.

Verse 25 Inquires "Whom have I in heaven but thee?" as his supreme good, Song of Solomon 5:10; Acts 4:12. He added, "There is none upon earth that I desire (spiritually yearn for) besides thee," John 7:17; Isaiah 26:8-9; Habakkuk 3:17-18; Matthew 10:37; Philippians 3:8.

Verse 26 adds "My flesh and my heart failed (continually); But God is (exists as) the strength or rock of my heart and my portion or provision forever," without end, Psalms 18:1-2; Psalms 24:2; Job 19:25-27; La 3:24.

Verse 27 certifies that all those who are afar from the Lord shall perish, dying in that state, John 3:18; John 3:36; Mark 16:16; John 8:24. It emphasizes that he has determined to destroy all those who go a whoring from the Lord, whether it be by idolatry or by covetousness, as the prosperous wicked had done, Leviticus 20:6; Numbers 14:33.

Verse 28 witnesses, "But it is good (the ideal thing) for me to draw near to God," as admonished Hebrews 10:22; Zephaniah 3:2; James 4:8. It is good for it brings both salvation and a life of usefulness to God and ones fellowman, followed by rewards, 1 Corinthians 3:8; Revelation 22:12. Asaph related that as a result of taking his doubts and fears to the sanctuary of God, putting his full trust in the word of God, he was now resolved to declare all the works of the Lord as righteous, by what he said and the way he lived, Matthew 5:15-16.