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Psalm 73

• What are some illustrations of things that do not seem fair or don’t make sense in our world?

This psalm expresses the feelings of a person who looks at life and sees things that do not seem to be fair. He questions God about what appears to be unjust and does not make sense. What he comes to understand about these issues is important to all of us. Let’s see where the writer’s search takes him.

{1} Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

• Who is "Israel?"
• Why would God be good to them?
• Who are the pure in heart?
• Why would God be good to them?

The Bible tells us that "God is good." He expresses His goodness to people. But there may be times when it seems He is being good to others more than He is being good to us. For the writer of this psalm, it was not just the feelings of a spoiled, selfish person. He had been a good person. He was an Israelite. He was pure in heart. There were people who were neither Israelites nor pure in heart that seemed to be sharing in God’s goodness. God was being good to the wrong people.

{2} But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. {3} For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. {4} They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. {5} They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.

• What observation shook the feelings of the writer?
• What emotion did he experience?
• According to verse 2, what effect did his viewpoint of the wicked have on him?
• Were his statements about the wicked in verses 4 and 5 correct?

Envy distorts our perspective on things. If we think we are being treated unfairly, it can color our view and cause us to see things incorrectly.

{6} Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. {7} From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits. {8} They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression. {9} Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. {10} Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. {11} They say, "How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?" {12} This is what the wicked are like—always carefree, they increase in wealth.

• What things characterize the wicked?
• Why does God put up with their wickedness and arrogance?
• Why does it seem that God is good to people who do not deserve His goodness?

SOMETIMES IT SEEMS IT DOESN’T PAY TO BE GOOD

{13} Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence. {14} All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning. {15} If I had said, "I will speak thus," I would have betrayed your children.

It is one thing when it seems God is good to people who do not deserve it. It is quite another thing when it seems God is showing more goodness to those who do not deserve it than He is to people who deserve it.

• Why does the writer feel he deserves God’s goodness?
• How does the writer feel about having lived right, but still having experienced bad things?

{16} When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me.

When we feel we have been treated unfairly, it clouds our reasoning and we have difficulty understanding. There are times when our lack of understanding can be oppressive to our spirit. The writer felt so wronged by God that he was exasperated with his efforts to live right and with the fact that he did not seem to get special treatment by God. He just couldn’t understand this. Sometimes things just don’t make sense to us.

We tend to judge things by how they appear to us at the moment. Sometimes, sense can only be made out of things when we see the conclusion of things, not how they presently appear. There are many things in life that seem to be straightened out only in the end. Life is not always fair. Right does not always triumph over wrong. Good people do not always finish first. But there is a time when everything turns out right, and meaning must be found by seeing that fact.

{17} till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. {18} Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. {19} How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! {20} As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.

The writer was confused until he entered the sanctuary of God.

• Where or what is the sanctuary of God?
• What changed the writer’s understanding?
• What new perspective did he have on the situation of the wicked?

{21} When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, {22} I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.

• What does the writer admit about himself?

{23} Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. {24} You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. {25} Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. {26} My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Even though life wasn’t making sense, he realized that God had been faithful. God had always been with him and was holding on to his hand. The one thing that did make sense was that God’s relationship with him was dependable.

• What two things did the writer realize God would do for him?
• What does he mean by the word "glory"?

Even though the writer might experience physical or emotional deterioration, his relationship with God would provide strength and satisfaction. Other things would fall into their proper place as long as God occupied the proper place in his life.

{27} Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. {28} 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.

• What was the writer’s final conclusion about those who are not in relationship with God?
• What was his final conclusion about the result of his relationship with God?

1. There are a lot of things that don’t make sense in our world.
2. God is good to everyone, whether they are righteous or wicked.
3. We are not to live right simply because it will provide immediate payback.
4. Our value system must include the conclusion of things, not just their present perceived benefit.
5. Life makes more sense when we are in right relationship with God.
6. Knowing God and living near Him is more important that anything else.

• Have you ever envied other people whose lives seem to be going better than yours?
• Has your envy ever caused you to give up on doing the right thing because it didn’t seem to make a difference?
• As you have searched for meaning in the world, have you entered into a personal relationship with God?

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