Whenever I read in the book of Psalms, I am reminded simultaneously of my frail humanity, my need for my Savior, and the glory and power of God. It is quite difficult to not see the type and shadow of a believer in Christ expressed in the confines of the psalmists’ words as they bare their souls before God. Martin Luther is recorded as saying, “[The Psalms are] a Little Bible, wherein everything contained in the entire Bible is beautifully and briefly comprehended.” I was recently reading my Bible and following along in the 5-day Bible reading program when I came to Psalm 73. As I read this psalm, I could not help but to see similarities in our own day and time as we too can look around as this psalmist did and see the prosperity of the wicked, only then to be brought back to our own shortcomings, and we find ourselves thanking God while confessing the failure of our hearts and flesh before Him.

Psalm 73 shares similar themes with others psalms (37, 49) as well as parts of Job. When reading it, we can see a focus on the goodness of God and the prosperity of the wicked. The psalmist nearly stumbled due to envy of the wicked and their ways. He wrote of them being fat and sleek, seeming never to suffer, continuing to increase in wealth, and speaking haughtily against God. I found myself having had these same thoughts at times in our current world.

It is quite easy to focus on what we see all around us and before us. Our own flesh is weak and so easily moved by temporal things. It is also moved with indignation to wonder how and why the wicked continue on in their prosperity without having to answer for their deeds. There seems to be no end to worldly people who are doing lawless and wicked acts without accountability and consequences. As Christians, we may find ourselves having these same thoughts not only about those in the world, but also those who are teaching false doctrine to professing believers. We may see those in high places of authority and influence who are leading others astray while profiting from those who are like those in verse 10, “His people turn back to them, and find no fault in them.”

I will admit, when people are not being held accountable and are seeming to get away with their actions that are in opposition to the instruction of God through His Word, it is effortless to focus on the prosperity of the wicked and to feel as this psalmist did. We can tell of their increase while what we have done seems to be in vain. Doesn’t God see them and what they are doing? Doesn’t He see their greed and their prideful ways? Doesn’t He see the false teachers prospering off those who profess Christ? In our proclaiming the Word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ, when our focus is solely directed onto the wicked or those who are in error, we can become distracted, discouraged, and embittered, wondering why we bother to share the truth in the capacity given to us. That bitterness could cause us to say things which would undermine another’s faith. God is loving in His correction and rebuke toward us as His children, and though wrong doing is to be exposed and addressed, we are to fix our gaze upon God and to remember the center of it all. We do not lose our focus on Christ in the midst of this fallen world where corruption abounds.

A Change Takes Place in the Sanctuary

We begin to see a change take place in verses 16-17 when he says, ” But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.” Asaph is reminded of God’s justice as He sought God in His sanctuary and though there may not be earthly consequences to one’s sinful and wicked ways, it will not go unpunished. Does that mean we rejoice in another’s eternal punishment? Not at all. What it helps us to understand is that there is peace and joy in the justice of God. The wicked and the corrupt have no refuge. There is nothing to shield them from the justice of God. And in the process of pondering on His justice, we thank Him for His mercy toward us because we deserved the same judgment and justice before receiving the salvation of Christ. We fall short daily, and we come before the throne of grace because of Jesus Christ so that we may repent of our own ways. Thank God for His mercy and His steadfast love toward us, especially when we are ignorant and brutish (psalm 73:22).

I love how the psalmist comes back from the distraction of the prosperity of the wicked to the greatest treasure beyond comprehension, and that is God Himself. There are references in verse 24 of being guided by His counsel, which would be the Word of God and then being received into glory, which seems to allude to eternal life. This is a great reminder for those of us in Christ Jesus to keep our focus on Him and to look to the eternal promise that has come only by faith alone in Christ alone. Verse 26 is a well known verse and one that should bring great encouragement to us, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” We know of no greater riches than God. He is the Rock of my heart and my portion forever. There is failure in my flesh and in my heart. My heart is deceitful and wicked. My flesh is weak and hostile at times to the things of God. This duo cannot be trusted, but God is steadfast and true. He has redeemed me, and I know of no greater treasure than Him.

As believers, we have great solace, peace, and joy in God who is our refuge and our portion forever. We have placed our trust in Him. We look to what awaits in glory with Jesus Christ. There are most certainly wicked people and those who are wolves in sheep’s clothing. And while falsehoods must be addressed for the sake of others, the absolute focus is to be on the Lord and in exalting Him, rejoicing in His justice that will one day be fully realized. Those who are far from God will perish and He puts to an end those who are unfaithful to Him. But for me it is good to be near God (73:27-28a).

Check out this latest song from Shane & Shane- My Portion