Psalm 73: Do Not Envy the Wicked

I. Introduction: Asaph wrote this psalm to tell about a time of weakness in his faith. He was tempted to give up on God but did not.

II. Text: Psalm 73:1-28

III. Asaph almost slipped and stumbled.

A. Asaph knows that God is good to His children who are pure in heart.

B. He almost stumbled when he became envious of the wicked.

C. He saw the prosperity of the wicked.

D. They do not suffer until death. They do not have the daily struggles and troubles of other men. They have more than others could desire. They belittle the oppression of others. They are haughty in their speech. They lay claim to heaven and earth.

E. The prosperity of the wicked made him envious.

F. As he saw the wicked living at ease, he questioned the reason for his service to God.

G. “I have cleansed my heart in vain.” He washed his hands from innocence while the wicked were proud, boastful, and violent. He has been plagued while the wicked are not plagued like other men. He has been chastened every morning while the wicked live every day in comfort. He wonders why he is bothering to be so good when those who don’t care about God and are wicked are living in luxury and do not have the problems he must face. What’s the use?

H. He was grieved in his heart when he compared himself to the wicked.

I. He was tempted to join them but knew that he would betray the true people of God. He tried to understand how the wicked were carefree and at ease while the righteous suffered. We can develop the same attitude. We become discouraged when we see the prosperity of the wicked and their apparent ease.

J. Asaph understood when he went into the Sanctuary of the Lord.

K. He perceived that God put the wicked on a slippery place.

L. The rich are arrogant thinking their riches will save them yet it can all be gone in an instant. In the Great Depression many who trusted in their riches killed themselves when they saw their riches were gone. Many are concerned now because their portfolios have shrunk from the growth of the last few years. We have had such a great period of financial growth, we grew fat and continued to increase, yet troubles have come and many people are worried about the future of the markets and the American economy. If we trust in riches we live on a slippery foundation.

M. He understood the eternal end of the wicked and the righteous.

N. He knew that the wicked would have eternal punishment and the righteous would have eternal bliss with God.

O. God would receive him into glory, v.24. The wicked will perish, v.27.

P. Luke 16:19-26: Rich man and Lazarus

Q. The rich man did not serve God and was in torments. Lazarus did serve God and went to Paradise.

IV. Asaph renewed his trust in God.

A. He felt foolish for ever doubting God.

B. v21-22 (NIV): “When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. He felt ashamed, like a dumb animal, for his bitter attitude towards God.

C. It reminds me of Job.

D. God brought several trials upon Job (Job 1-3).Job defends himself before his friends but questions God’s care and is bitter towards him: Job 30:20-23; 31:35. God answers Job: Job 38:1-4 (summarize rest); 40:6-9. Job’s response: Job 42:1-6. Like Job, Asaph was bitter against God and accused Him unfairly, and considered himself a brute beast in doing so. We may not always understand God’s ways or why things happen the way they do, but we must put our trust in Him.

E. He reaffirmed his love and dedication to God.

F. He is the only desire of Asaph, v.25. He is made strong by God, v.26.

G. He knows the right choice is to draw near to God.

H. James 4:8 – Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. In God is found comfort and strength. He has put his trust in the Lord. He will declare the works of God.

I. In Christ we have blessings here and in the hereafter. The wicked have hope only in this world, and unpredictable life can even strip them of that.