Reading: Psalm 73-75

QUESTIONS
  • Psalm 73. It can be overwhelming and frustrating to see the ease and prosperity of wicked people in this world. Why does the psalmist’s perspective change when he “went into the sanctuary of God” (verse 17)? Through Christ, seek that same holy presence of God in prayer.
  • In Psalm 74, what does the psalmist plead with God to remember (2, 18, 22) and to not forget (19, 23)? What does it mean for God to remember these, and why do we need this? How are these brought to constant remembrance before God in Jesus Christ?
  • Compare Psalm 75 to Acts 17:30-31. Why is it good news that God judges the world by Jesus? In what ways is this also sobering? Praise God for his perfect justice in Christ our Savior.
DEVOTION

“Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart,” (Psalm 73:1); “But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling” (vs 2a) . This psalm exposes those chinks in our spiritual armor that often torment our relationship with the living God. They are like smokescreens or fogs that affect our thoughts and often our actions. No one is immune from envious thoughts. Think about the celebrities you most admire and what is it about them that you find yourself most inclined to imitate.

Jesus reserves severe criticism for the spiritual celebrities of the time in Matthew 23:25-26, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside they are full of extortion and rapacity. You blind Pharisee! First cleanse the inside of the cup and of the plate, that the outside also may be clean.” God has promised to bless the pure in heart “for they shall see God” (Mat 5:8); “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. From the heart are all the issues of life” (1 Sam 16:7). We see contradictions between what we believe and what we experience. Two kinds of doubt are being displayed as we read this psalm. The psalmist has doubt wanting resolution. The arrogant often have doubts wanting affirmation.

If we allow our doubts to take over our thought life, we further separate ourselves from God’s grace. “Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and washed my hands in innocence; for I have been stricken all day long and chastened every morning.” (73:13-14). Self-pity is like a deadly virus. The prosperity of the wicked occupies verses 1-16. The presence of the Lord occupies verses 17-28. The key word and pivotal center of the psalm is the word until, “Until I came into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end” (73:17). Note how the psalmist’s realizations and understandings come into focus as he comes to worship—“Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction” (73:18). The appearance of the wicked whom we envy is in complete contrast to their reality. Repentance and worship opened his eyes to the true state of things. The psalmist challenges us to worship as a more pivotal part of our experience. Renewal of satisfaction in God’s provision depends on finding again our place of refuge. Until we reenter God’s sanctuary we cannot see clearly.

– Jim Yoder