Psalms 73:1

BOOK III

PSALMS 73-89

INTRODUCTION FOR BOOK III

Psalms 73-89 are entitled Book III. These Psalms are classified as "The Asaph Group," composed of Psalms 73-83, the only other Asaph Psalm being Psalms 50 in Book II. "All of this group are Elohimic."[1] Most of the remaining Psalms in Book IV are ascribed to the Sons of Korah. "Some of these are Elohimic and some are Jehovist."[2] Three Psalms in this Book are ascribed, one each, to David, Heman and Ethan.

"The Psalms of Asaph are of different dates, but are similar in character and have many features in common ... They are national and historical ... They have a definite doctrine of God, who is presented as "The Shepherd of Israel" (Psalms 80:1), and the people are the sheep of his pasture (Psalms 74:1; 77:20; 79:13) ... History is used for instruction, admonition and encouragement."[3]

Dr. DeHoff summarized this entire book as follows: Psalms 73 handles the problem of the wicked's prosperity; Psalms 74 discusses the national disaster in Jerusalem's destruction; Psalms 75 speaks of the final judgment; Psalms 76 gives thanks for a great victory; Psalms 77-78 are historical extolling God's marvelous works; Psalms 79-80 give us a glance of a great disaster; Psalms 81-82 deplore the sinfulness of God's people; Psalms 83 is a prayer for protection; Psalms 84 stresses the blessedness of those `in God's house.' (with an application to Christ's church); Psalms 85-86 contain prayers of thanksgiving to God and pleas for mercy and forgiveness; Psalms 88 is the prayer of a shut-in suffering from a long illness; and Psalms 89 is a magnificent presentation of the Throne of David which will endure forever.[4]

This is the shortest of the Five Books of Psalms.

"Each of the major Psalm-types is represented in Book IV, except Penitential."[5]

We shall also observe that there are many quotations in the New Testament from this portion of the Psalms. This is especially true of Psalms 89 which is referred to in Acts 13:22, (Psalms 73:20); 2 Thessalonians 1:10 (Psalms 73:7); Revelation 1:5 (Psalms 73:27,37). Other quotations are Malachi 13:35 (Psalms 78:2), John 6:31 (Psalms 78:24), and John 10:34 (Psalms 82:6).

PSALM 73

THE PROBLEM OF THE PROSPERITY OF THE WICKED

Where is the Christian who has not struggled with this same problem? Righteous people seem pressed down on every hand, often struggling for the very necessities of life, whereas openly arrogant and wicked unbelievers flaunt their godless lives, sometimes wallowing in wealth and luxuries. This psalm addresses that very problem.

Of course, there is one practical reason for the seeming disparity between what appears to be God's treatment of the righteous and the wicked, and that is the truth emphasized by Jesus who stated that, "The sons of this world are for their own generation wiser than the sons of the light" (Luke 16:8). There surely seems to be a naivete among God's people that often hinders their worldly success. This is not the only Old Testament Scripture that deals with this problem. Psalms 37 and Psalms 49, as well as the Book of Job likewise confront this problem, dealing with it extensively. We have already commented extensively on this problem in Psalms 37 and Psalms 49.

For word on Asaph, see under Psalms 50 in Vol. I of this Series. Asaph (or possibly his sons) authored Psalms 73-83.

In this psalm, the conclusion is announced at the beginning.

Psalms 73:1-2

"Surely God is good to Israel.

Even to such as are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet were almost gone;

My steps had well nigh slipped."

"Surely God is good" (Psalms 73:1). God is not partial to the wicked. However the opposite of this may appear at times to be true, it is never the correct view. God's goodness toward the righteous is by no means limited to the present time but extends throughout eternity. Whatever advantage wickedness may appear to have in the present life is of no consequence whatever when considered in the light of the eternal rewards and punishments to be meted out on the Day of Judgment.

"But as for me" (Psalms 73:2). Here the Psalmist looks back upon the temptations which almost overcame him and recognizes how fatal it would have been for him to succumb thereunto.