PSALM 73

Published June 18, 2008

Some times we are envious of what others might have and wish we, too, could have what they have. Asaph the Chief Musician in the House of the Lord during the time of David King of Israel had this problem, to. Even though he had a high position in Israel and had food and clothes it wasn’t enough for him. Not until he changed his focus did he realized how wrong he had been because what awaited him was far more than the riches of the time.
73:1 A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
This reads as if it were today. How many times we read about greedy men taking millions in profits from large corporations while the business looses money.
4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
No bands means no Pain in their state but their strength continues.
5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
Everything is abundant in their lives. Even their wives are fat because of the abundance.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
These people say How does God know? He doesn’t know. Matter of fact there is no God.
12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
In other words, Why don’t I have all of these wonderful things that these ungodly men have.
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
Come back to God. Don’t look at what others have or do. You come back to God Then, then and only then will you know what you really have and what God has done for you. Verse 17 is where Asaph changed his mind and started turning his attention to God!
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
God is real and there is Heaven and even if we don’t have what the rich do we as Christians are still going to Heaven. Just because a million or a billion people say there is no God will not negate the fact that GOD EXISTS! No more so than a million people saying the world is flat will make the world flat!
21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.
Reins are our thoughts our minds.
22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
Nevertheless GOD IS continually with us!
24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
Whoring after other gods, gods of gold, gods of money, gods of power anything you worship other than the one true God.
28 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.

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