Summer in the Psalms 

Psalm 73 July 13, 2025 

Psalms is the Bible's largest and most diverse book.  It is also the most-read book in the Bible and the most quoted Old Testament book by Jesus and the apostles.  The Psalms move us to praise the Lord through adoration and thanksgiving and remind us that God is willing and able to meet all our needs.   

What do we know about Psalms 73? 

• It was written by Asaph. 

Asaph was a Levite, a skilled musician, and a prophet (seer) who led worship in the Tabernacle in David’s time and later in the Temple during Solomon’s reign (1 Chron. 15:17, 19).  The first eleven of the seventeen psalms in Book Three were written by Asaph (Psalms 73–83).   

• It is classified as a wisdom psalm because it contrasts two ways to live (godly or wicked). 

In Psalm 73, Asaph questions God's justice as he observes the wicked seemingly thriving while the godly face hardship.  Then, he comes to a deeper understanding of God, the consequences of sin, and the meaninglessness of wealth compared to a relationship with God.   

• The question answered in Psalm 73 is, “How can God be good if he allows bad people to thrive and good people to suffer?” 

Psalm 73 addresses the same subject matter as Psalms 37 and 49 but does so in a more personal manner.  Psalm 73 lets us see Asaph’s crisis of faith and how he dealt with it.    

How is Psalm 73 divided up? 

In Vs. 1, Asaph gives his conclusion. 

“Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure.” (Psalm 73:1, NLT)  

Asaph begins Psalm 73 with what he had learned during his crisis of faith.  His confident conclusion is, “Truly or surely, God is good to those whose hearts are not polluted by sin.”   

In Vs. 2-12, Asaph confesses his problem. 

“But as for me, I almost lost my footing.  My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.  For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.  They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong.  They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.  They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty.  These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!  They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others.  They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth.  And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words.  “What does God know?” they ask.  “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”  Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.” (Psalm 73:2-12, NLT)  

Note, Asaph begins verse two with the phrase “But as for me.”  He uses this phrase four times in Psalm 73 (Vs. 2, 22, 23, 28) to show us his personal journey from doubting God’s love and justice to his confident conclusion that God is good to the godly.   

Why did Asaph doubt God’s love and justice?  

• Asaph observed that the prideful prosper despite their wickedness (Vs. 3).   

• The wicked do not seem to suffer physically or financially like everyone else (Vs. 4–5).   

• They are cruel to others (Vs. 6).   

• They get everything they wish for (Vs. 7).   

• They mock God and lie about others.  They act as if they own the earth (Vs. 8–9).   

• They cause people to believe that God does not know or care about their sin (Vs. 10-11).   

• The wicked are enjoying a life of ease with continuous prosperity (Vs. 12). 

In Vs. 13-16, Asaph states his frustration. 

“Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?  Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?  I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.  If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people.  So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.  But what a difficult task it is!”  (Ps 73:13-16, NLT)  

In Vs. 17-28, Asaph shares how he overcame his doubt. 

1st – Asaph listened to what the Word of God says about the destiny of the wicked.  Vs. 17-20 

“Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.  Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.  In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors.  When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.”  (Psalm 73:17-20, NLT)  

In the tabernacle or temple, Asaph learned that the Bible clearly states that God will cause the wicked to fall and be destroyed.  The prideful, wicked, and cruel will not prosper forever (Rev. 20:11-15; 21:5-8)! 

2nd – Asaph listened to what the Word of God says about the destiny of the godly.  Vs. 21-26 

“Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.  I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.  Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.  Whom have I in heaven but you?  I desire you more than anything on earth.  My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.”  (Psalm 73:21-26, NLT)  

The Bible also clearly states that God will bless the godly with his presence, guidance, and inheritance (1 Peter 1:3-5).  Although Asaph was overwhelmed with troubles, he realized that God was his present strength (Psalm 18:1) and future inheritance (Psalms 16:5; 119:57; 142:5), and that was much more valuable than wealth. 

3rd – Asaph committed to remain close to God.  Vs. 27-28 

“Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you.  But as for me, how good it is to be near God!  I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.”  (Psalm 73:27-28, NLT)  

In Psalm 73, a worship leader moves from doubt and struggle to clarity and commitment.  First, Asaph is frustrated when he sees God allowing the wicked to prosper and the godly to suffer.  Then, he listens to the Word of God and understands that God will destroy the wicked and reward the godly.  Finally, Asaph confidently concludes that God is good to those with pure hearts.