A steep path of wet, polished limestone climbs out of frame, the hillside dropping away on one side, under a pale empty sky.

Wisdom · Asaph

Psalm 73

For anyone who has done right and watched the wrong people win. Asaph almost walked away.

28 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

1–41Book IDavid's prayers: 'The LORD is my shepherd'
42–72Book II'As the deer pants'; the throne under pressure
73–89Book IIIAsaph and Korah: the kingdom fallsPsalm 73
90–106Book IVBack to Moses: the LORD reigns
107–150Book VSongs of ascents, and the last Hallelujah

Surely God Is Good to Israel

A Psalm of Asaph.

Surely God is good to Israel,

to those who are pure in heart.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;

my steps had nearly slipped.

For I envied the arrogant

when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

So their people return to this place

and drink up waters in abundance.

The wicked say, “How can God know?

Does the Most High have knowledge?”

Behold, these are the wicked—

always carefree as they increase their wealth.

Reflect

Name it

Asaph said it outright: “I envied the arrogant.” Whose life have you looked at with that same ache? Write the name down, and what you think they have.

A lone man, small and seen from behind, crosses the empty temple court toward the long plain stone house and its two bronze pillars.

Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure;

in innocence I have washed my hands.

For I am afflicted all day long

and punished every morning.

If I had said, “I will speak this way,”

then I would have betrayed Your children.

When I tried to understand all this,

it was troublesome in my sight

until I entered God’s sanctuary;

then I discerned their end.

0:25

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

The same courtyard years later: the roof fallen in, the low table overturned, weeds through the paving, nobody there.

Surely You set them on slick ground;

You cast them down into ruin.

How suddenly they are laid waste,

completely swept away by terrors!

Like one waking from a dream,

so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form.

The turn at verse 17

Whiteboard

Down one side and up the other. Nothing around Asaph changed at the bottom. Where he stood to look did.

When my heart was grieved

and I was pierced within,

I was senseless and ignorant;

I was a brute beast before You.

Yet I am always with You;

You hold my right hand.

You guide me with Your counsel,

and later receive me in glory.

Dawn from a flat rooftop in the City of David: a single Levite in a white linen robe, seen from behind with a small lyre, looks east across the Kidron valley and the Mount of Olives to range after range of hills under a pale gold sky.

Whom have I in heaven but You?

And on earth I desire no one besides You.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart

and my portion forever.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Those far from You will surely perish;

You destroy all who are unfaithful to You.

But as for me, it is good to draw near to God.

I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,

that I may proclaim all Your works.

Pray

Pray it by name

Read verses 25 and 26 aloud. Then pray them again and name the thing you have wanted more than God. “Whom have I in heaven but You?” Say it with that thing in mind.

You’ve experienced

Psalm 73

0 of 150 psalms read

A verse to carry with you

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26

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