73:1
People with pure hearts (people who are sincere and devoted to God) are renewed by God’s Spirit (Psalm 51:10). They choose to live in a godly way, turn away from sin, and enjoy God’s presence (see Psalm 24:3–4).
Study notes
Psalms 73
73:1–28
This wisdom psalm looks at the injustice of the prosperity of the wicked. The psalmist states that God is good to the godly, but his own experience is different (Psalm 73:2–12).
Almost overwhelmed by doubt (Psalm 73:13–16), the psalmist meets the Lord in the sanctuary. This meeting gives him a broader view and renews his trust in God (Psalm 73:17–26). His troubling doubts lead to a stronger desire for truth. He knows he can trust God and that God will save him (Psalm 73:27–28).
73:1
Asaph was a Levitical singer appointed by David (1 Chronicles 6:39). His descendants were singers and instrumentalists (1 Chronicles 15:16–17). Many of the Psalms of Asaph (Psalms 50, 73–83) were likely written by Asaph’s descendants later in Israel’s history (for example, Psalm 74).
73:1–75:10
73:1–28 Section
Psalm 73 is about learning to trust in God. In verse 1 the speaker says something that is true about God. God is good to people who have pure hearts. For the Israelites, to have a pure heart meant worshipping and obeying God faithfully.
But the speaker hadn’t always believed this was true about God. This is because the speaker was in pain. The speaker had a pure heart but was suffering. It seemed to the speaker that God punished people with pure hearts. It seemed like God blessed people who were proud and sinful. It seemed like proud and sinful people were always rich and healthy. It seemed like they were never punished for the evil things they did. This was unfair. It went against the pattern described by parts of the Law of Moses. It also went against the pattern described by many proverbs. Proverbs 11:8 taught that trouble comes on those who do wrong.
Job noticed the same things about sinful people that the speaker of Psalm 73 noticed. Job noticed that they didn’t have problems like most other people had (Job 21:6–18). The speaker in Psalm 73 felt jealous, confused and troubled about all of this. But the speaker’s mind, heart and spirit changed in the temple. In the temple the speaker came to understand something important. God will bring justice. God will stop everything that is unfair and evil. He will destroy everyone who refuses to obey him.
This hadn’t happened yet for the speaker in Psalm 73. But the speaker became completely sure that it would happen in the future. So the speaker fully trusted God. They didn’t have anyone in heaven but God. This means that the speaker didn’t ask false gods for help. The speaker didn’t want anything on earth besides God. This means that they didn’t trust in anything or anyone but God to rescue them. The speaker was still in pain and was still waiting for God to bring justice. But while they waited, they knew that God was with them. The speaker described this like God holding their hand. Being close to God made the speaker sure that God is truly good.
73:2–3
The poet thinks it is unfair that wicked people prosper (see Psalm 72:7) and feels upset about it.
The psalmist almost strayed from the path of wisdom and godliness (see Psalm 17:5; 37:31), but God prevented him from completely losing his way (38:16; 66:9; 94:18; 121:3).
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked: Compare Psalm 72:3, 7.
73:4–12
The psalmist gives an exaggerated picture of the happiness of the wicked (compare Psalm 1).
73:6
Proud people choose pride and cruelty over wisdom (Proverbs 1:9).
73:9
The proud boast, claiming that they own everything and are not subject to anyone (see Psalm 2:1–3).
73:13–14
These rhetorical questions expect a discouraging “yes” as an answer. The psalmist wonders if godliness has become a meaningless ritual (see Malachi 3:14–15).
my heart: This refers to his whole being.
The psalmist’s pain comes from discipline and rebuke (Psalm 39:11; Proverbs 1:23, 25; 12:1).
73:13–17
When the psalmist sees the effect of his discouragement and doubt, he turns to the Lord and gains new understanding.
73:15–16
If the psalmist had spoken about his doubts regarding the value of living a godly life, he might have discouraged God's people and given God's enemies a chance to speak against God (compare John 13:20). Instead, the psalmist keeps the problem to himself and thinks about it.
73:17–20
During this period, God's sanctuary was the temple in Jerusalem. In God's presence, the psalmist receives special insight (compare Psalm 18:6).
God deals with the wicked over the long term. He waits patiently and gives them time to repent (Ezekiel 33:11; 2 Peter 3:9). Those who do not repent will get what they deserve.
73:21–22
The psalmist’s feelings about the prosperity of the wicked had given him a bitter spirit.
73:24
The Lord leads the godly through their troubles and changes their misery into splendor.
73:25–26
Nothing in heaven or on earth is better than being near God.
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources