Psalm 73 - “For I envied the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”  (Psalm 73:3)

“When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.”  (vv. 16-17)

“Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.  But as for me, it is good to be near God.  I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”  (Psalm 73:27-28)

In this Psalm, God talks about the “pure in heart,” as well as the “arrogant” and the “wicked.”  To man, the wicked may seem to have no troubles.  Those who are faithful feel that they have many struggles.  Sometimes this seems unfair, even to believers.

The Psalmist, who lived during the time of David, even felt that he had kept his heart clean “in vain.”  Yet when he went into the “the sanctuary of God” then everything became clear.  He “understood their final destiny,” and realized the unfaithful were not going to the same place as the faithful.  It is only a matter of time before the present injustice ends.  In shame, the Psalmist realizes how “senseless and ignorant” he was for doubting to be faithful was in the first place (Psalm 73:22).  In the end, he choose to remain on the right path, and remain always with the Lord.  God’s mercy, blessing, and guidance will surely continue to come to us so long as we remain faithful.

We often see people in the world who seem to have it all.  Maybe we have lost our job, and have been struggling to stay afloat financially, while others who ignore God may have been able to remain in a stable job.  If we focused on material things, we might feel envious.  Yet with those who are not Christians, it is easy for us to grasp their end is one we will not share in.  It is good for us to meditate sometimes on the eternal destiny that awaits all of us.  This helps us put things into perspective regarding material wealth and prosperity.

When it comes to people in the church, however, it can be a little more confusing.  Perhaps there is a brother or sister who attained a certain role in the church, or whom God uses in a special way that we never experience.  This may even occur when there are things in their lives that seem immature, flaws or weaknesses that we have already outgrown.  Many believers struggle with frustration when others, who seem less consecrated, achieve greater fame as preachers or have a position of greater influence.

We should not look to others, but only to Jesus.  Only the Lord can guide us.  The Lord is calling us out of darkness into His light.  Each day He is transforming us, and helping us to abandon the things that do not please Him.  He is helping us to be more faithful.  When we see a brother or sister doing something that is not edifying, we should not follow their example.  Nor should we judge them.  It is a matter between them and the Lord.  We should continue praying for them, and never lose sight of where the path of unfaithfulness leads.

Psalm 73 is one of the “songs of Asaph” (see the heading).  This is actually the first in the collection of Asaph’s psalms, although one of his psalms occurs earlier – Psalm 50 – as a companion song to Psalm 51.  Who was Asaph? Asaph was a Levite, one of David’s main worship musicians who ministered before the Ark of the Covenant (see 1 Chronicles 16:23; 1 Chronicles 25:1-6; 2 Chronicles 5:12).  He was also a prophet or “seer.”  (1 Chronicles 25:2; 2 Chronicles 29:30).  His sons and descendants continued to have responsibility in the temple as musicians, and they are listed in Ezra and Nehemiah among those who returned from the Babylonian Exile (Ezra 2:42; Ezra 3:10; Nehemiah 7:44; Nehemiah 11:17-24; Nehemiah 12:46).

Asaph’s psalms (Psalm 50, and Psalms 73-85) are distinctive for containing words of prophecy, where God addresses His people instead of vice versa.  They also focus on the themes of spiritual frustration or disappointment, along with the shame of disobedience and judgment.  Asaph wrote about longing to see God act – coping with periods where God did not seem to be answering prayers or helping his people, or where God’s people were suffering in mistakes they had made and needed forgiveness and help.  We all feel these things at times and can find comfort in these words.

“But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.” (Psalm 73:28, KJV)