A Psalm of Asaph.
Truly God is good to Israel,
To such as are pure in heart.
Psa 73:2
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly slipped.
Psa 73:3
For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Psa 73:4
For there are no pangs in their death,
But their strength is firm.
Psa 73:5
They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like other men.
Psa 73:6
Therefore pride serves as their necklace;
Violence covers them like a garment.
Psa 73:7
Their eyes bulgefn with abundance;
They have more than heart could wish.
Psa 73:8
They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;
They speak loftily.
Psa 73:9
They set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue walks through the earth.
Psa 73:10
Therefore his people return here,
And waters of a full cup are drained by them.
Psa 73:11
And they say, “How does God know?
And is there knowledge in the Most High?”
Psa 73:12
Behold, these are the ungodly,
Who are always at ease;
They increase in riches.
Psa 73:13
Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,
And washed my hands in innocence.
Psa 73:14
For all day long I have been plagued,
And chastened every morning.
Psa 73:15
If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
Psa 73:16
When I thought how to understand this,
It was too painful for me--
Psa 73:17
Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end.
Psa 73:18
Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
Psa 73:19
Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
They are utterly consumed with terrors.
Psa 73:20
As a dream when one awakes,
So, Lord, when You awake,
You shall despise their image.
Psa 73:21
Thus my heart was grieved,
And I was vexed in my mind.
Psa 73:22
I was so foolish and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
Psa 73:23
Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
Psa 73:24
You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.
Psa 73:25
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
Psa 73:26
My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psa 73:27
For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;
You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
Psa 73:28
But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
That I may declare all Your works.
Truly God is good to Israel,
To such as are pure in heart.
Psa 73:2
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly slipped.
Psa 73:3
For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Psa 73:4
For there are no pangs in their death,
But their strength is firm.
Psa 73:5
They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like other men.
Psa 73:6
Therefore pride serves as their necklace;
Violence covers them like a garment.
Psa 73:7
Their eyes bulgefn with abundance;
They have more than heart could wish.
Psa 73:8
They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;
They speak loftily.
Psa 73:9
They set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue walks through the earth.
Psa 73:10
Therefore his people return here,
And waters of a full cup are drained by them.
Psa 73:11
And they say, “How does God know?
And is there knowledge in the Most High?”
Psa 73:12
Behold, these are the ungodly,
Who are always at ease;
They increase in riches.
Psa 73:13
Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,
And washed my hands in innocence.
Psa 73:14
For all day long I have been plagued,
And chastened every morning.
Psa 73:15
If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
Psa 73:16
When I thought how to understand this,
It was too painful for me--
Psa 73:17
Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end.
Psa 73:18
Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
Psa 73:19
Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
They are utterly consumed with terrors.
Psa 73:20
As a dream when one awakes,
So, Lord, when You awake,
You shall despise their image.
Psa 73:21
Thus my heart was grieved,
And I was vexed in my mind.
Psa 73:22
I was so foolish and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.
Psa 73:23
Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
Psa 73:24
You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.
Psa 73:25
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
Psa 73:26
My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psa 73:27
For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;
You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
Psa 73:28
But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
That I may declare all Your works.
Your Thoughts
1.Looking over this Psalm, was there a particular verse that you liked?
Read that verse over again.
It could even be a phrase.
No matter if it's one verse, one phrase, or one single word, Stop and think
about it for just a minute.
2. Why do you think you like it?
Have you been experiencing something in your life that resonated with this verse?
Possibly, Right?
3. That's the Word speaking to you. Maybe write it down. Turn it into a prayer and/or praise.
4. Pray and Thank God for this revelation and ask Him to make it clear how He wants to use it in your life.
5. Share what God spoke to you with someone. Let others be blessed too.
Read that verse over again.
It could even be a phrase.
No matter if it's one verse, one phrase, or one single word, Stop and think
about it for just a minute.
2. Why do you think you like it?
Have you been experiencing something in your life that resonated with this verse?
Possibly, Right?
3. That's the Word speaking to you. Maybe write it down. Turn it into a prayer and/or praise.
4. Pray and Thank God for this revelation and ask Him to make it clear how He wants to use it in your life.
5. Share what God spoke to you with someone. Let others be blessed too.
My Thoughts
J Vernon McGee says this is the third section of Psalm following the Pentatuch (first 5 books of Bible) We had Genesis and Exodus sections and now we are in the Leviticus section representing Holiness and Sanctuary. I think that is an interesting way to break down the Psalm.
These next Psalms are Psalms of Asaph not David as it states at the top. Asaph was Levite and musician in the Sanctuary, (J Vernon McGee)
This passage of scriptures really has spoken to me a lot in my Christian Journey. The openness of the
Verse 1
A Psalm of Asaph.
Truly God is good to Israel,
To such as are pure in heart.
God makes our hearts pure through His blood.
Verse 2-3
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly slipped.
For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked
Here is the problem. Envy.
Why did his almost slip? He was comparing himself with others around him.
When we do, look what can happen.
James 1:14
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
We can be drawn away from the Lord. The more we compare or look around at others,
the more we are easily drawn away. When we start to compare, we are headed on a slipper slope.
We have to be so careful to guard our hearts and mind from this because honestly it's a very easy trap to fall into.
2 Corinthians 10-12 states this
For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
It's not wise to compare. God has a unique journey for each of us, and what He does with us isn't what He might do for others. We need to trust the Lord and stay close to Him so that we do not fall into the trap like Asaph did.
I Timothy 6:6
Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
Have you ever looked at the rich and wondered why they are so prosperous? Have you asked questions like:
Why does God let the wicked prosper? Why do we as Christian get suffering?
I know I have.
Just recently I entered a free contest (I just like doing it) and I was so hopeful that I could have been the lucky winner (no, I don't seem to ever win those things) and again I didn't win. I began to say to myself, why do those people always win and not me. I am totally confessing my envy temper tantrum right now lol.
Anyway, its easy to look around and compare. Magazines, TV, and Internet have all played apart in increasing envy and jealousy in this world.
Yet, It is so so so very important that we just look to our Jesus and be content with the plan He has for us. Right?
Verse 9
They set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue walks through the earth.
Oh isn't this true lately. We are living in times were the wicked ones are becoming more hurtful and hateful to Christians. No only do they deny God, they curse at Him. (Oxymoron maybe not the oxy part lol)
But you know, they won't be doing for too long.
Jesus said when He comes back it would be as the days of Noah, and we are so close to that point for sure.
Verse 11
And they say, “How does God know?
And is there knowledge in the Most High?”
Behold, these are the ungodly,
Who are always at ease;
They increase in riches.
Do you agree?
Asaph was perplex at how God could allow these people to prosper. Here they had no fear of God, yet lived lavish lives on Earth.
Asaph was caught up in the hear and now.
Not a good place to be that is why it is so important to spend time with God.
When we focus on the world we get discouraged, when we focus on God we get encouraged.
Take a moment to step away from it all, and get God's perspective on theses issues.
Verse 13-14
Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,
And washed my hands in innocence.
Now here is the scary part. Asaph go so used to looking at others and comparing that he began to forget what God had done for Him.
He was now looking at himself with wrong eyes.
He began to doubt if he should be walking the Christian life.
Often times we can think that because we received the Lord we DESERVE the highest treatment.
Salvation is a free gift and it affords us all the blessings of God's Word and Fruits of the Spirit and Heaven and so many things, yet it doesn't say that we will never suffer or have hard times.
Asaph began a journey of SELF PITY and boy he was winding deeper and deeper into depression.
Have you fallen that far?
Have you thought, why did I receive Christ?
Be careful of this. It's one of the enemies tactics to harm you and pull you away from your godly heritage. You see this life is temporal. We all need to be focusing on the eternal issues of life.
Asaph we leaning to his emotions?
We don't live on emotions as Christians. Yes, they have their part, but that isn't what drives us. Truth drives us, Faith drives us, then our emotions should follow after these two things.
What is driving you today?
Check your heart and see.
We have to think on truth. Yes, the rich were prospering, but what is their reality?
Psa 73:14
For all day long I have been plagued,
And chastened every morning.
Do you feel that it isn't worth following God. Again, Asaph allowed his emotions and feelings to bring him down down down.
Why?
He was going through a difficult time.
Isn't that were we as Christians get tried the most? During trials?
We have to guard against self pity and remember what trials are brought to us are to reveal a new side of God's character to us.
If Asaph wasn't perplexed he might have not wrestled with his thoughts and never come to appreciate his salvation. Yes he is in the midst of a mind battle right now, but look at how it all changed.
Verse 17
Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end.
Asaph needed to go and get refreshed in his Jesus.
What happened when he went into the sanctuary? He saw spiritual reality.
It in the end of all things that we see where there is a divide.
There are only two options: heaven or hell.
The rich enjoy this life because this is their heaven, what's coming to them is worst then what we go through on this Earth.
We are trust in God and not grow bitter towards what is happening around us. God is in control. Control of rulers, controls of all things. Keep close to the Lord.
Asaph realized how foolish it was to envy those who are perishing.
Have we realized this?
Why do we compare with the wicked, look at where their life is leading them?
Honestly, it's a bit sobering.
Asaph took a big gulp of humble pie and turned back to his relationship with God.
He realized that just want he needed and wanted in his life was right there all along.
Verse 23
Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
We as Christians are never alone. Jesus is with us always. He is our strong arm. Even through the storms of life, He is always there.
verse 24
You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.
Phil 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Amen!!! We get to Go to heaven. On earth He guides us, In heaven he Glorifies us. What a beautiful thing that is.
verse 25
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
Awe, now we are talking. Asaph got it. No more comparing just concentrating on Christ. That's the secret to success when we are in a trail, Focus on Christ.
verse 26
My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Amen. Our flesh is frail. We fail, but God is there always.
Asaph is encouraging his heart in God.
Do that today! Talk to yourself about God's strength in your life.
If you are down and out, push through and praise.
Get your thoughts to think on your future, your heavenly home and the
God that is guiding you there. HE loves you so much.
He really does.
verse 28
But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
That I may declare all Your works.
Amen. I couldn't have said it any better than this.
Asaph fully turned around.
He is on the right track: not speaking of the wicked but of the Works of God.
What a happier place that is.
Take it from Asaph, he got it.
Blessings.
These next Psalms are Psalms of Asaph not David as it states at the top. Asaph was Levite and musician in the Sanctuary, (J Vernon McGee)
This passage of scriptures really has spoken to me a lot in my Christian Journey. The openness of the
Verse 1
A Psalm of Asaph.
Truly God is good to Israel,
To such as are pure in heart.
God makes our hearts pure through His blood.
Verse 2-3
But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly slipped.
For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked
Here is the problem. Envy.
Why did his almost slip? He was comparing himself with others around him.
When we do, look what can happen.
James 1:14
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.
We can be drawn away from the Lord. The more we compare or look around at others,
the more we are easily drawn away. When we start to compare, we are headed on a slipper slope.
We have to be so careful to guard our hearts and mind from this because honestly it's a very easy trap to fall into.
2 Corinthians 10-12 states this
For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
It's not wise to compare. God has a unique journey for each of us, and what He does with us isn't what He might do for others. We need to trust the Lord and stay close to Him so that we do not fall into the trap like Asaph did.
I Timothy 6:6
Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
Have you ever looked at the rich and wondered why they are so prosperous? Have you asked questions like:
Why does God let the wicked prosper? Why do we as Christian get suffering?
I know I have.
Just recently I entered a free contest (I just like doing it) and I was so hopeful that I could have been the lucky winner (no, I don't seem to ever win those things) and again I didn't win. I began to say to myself, why do those people always win and not me. I am totally confessing my envy temper tantrum right now lol.
Anyway, its easy to look around and compare. Magazines, TV, and Internet have all played apart in increasing envy and jealousy in this world.
Yet, It is so so so very important that we just look to our Jesus and be content with the plan He has for us. Right?
Verse 9
They set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue walks through the earth.
Oh isn't this true lately. We are living in times were the wicked ones are becoming more hurtful and hateful to Christians. No only do they deny God, they curse at Him. (Oxymoron maybe not the oxy part lol)
But you know, they won't be doing for too long.
Jesus said when He comes back it would be as the days of Noah, and we are so close to that point for sure.
Verse 11
And they say, “How does God know?
And is there knowledge in the Most High?”
Behold, these are the ungodly,
Who are always at ease;
They increase in riches.
Do you agree?
Asaph was perplex at how God could allow these people to prosper. Here they had no fear of God, yet lived lavish lives on Earth.
Asaph was caught up in the hear and now.
Not a good place to be that is why it is so important to spend time with God.
When we focus on the world we get discouraged, when we focus on God we get encouraged.
Take a moment to step away from it all, and get God's perspective on theses issues.
Verse 13-14
Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,
And washed my hands in innocence.
Now here is the scary part. Asaph go so used to looking at others and comparing that he began to forget what God had done for Him.
He was now looking at himself with wrong eyes.
He began to doubt if he should be walking the Christian life.
Often times we can think that because we received the Lord we DESERVE the highest treatment.
Salvation is a free gift and it affords us all the blessings of God's Word and Fruits of the Spirit and Heaven and so many things, yet it doesn't say that we will never suffer or have hard times.
Asaph began a journey of SELF PITY and boy he was winding deeper and deeper into depression.
Have you fallen that far?
Have you thought, why did I receive Christ?
Be careful of this. It's one of the enemies tactics to harm you and pull you away from your godly heritage. You see this life is temporal. We all need to be focusing on the eternal issues of life.
Asaph we leaning to his emotions?
We don't live on emotions as Christians. Yes, they have their part, but that isn't what drives us. Truth drives us, Faith drives us, then our emotions should follow after these two things.
What is driving you today?
Check your heart and see.
We have to think on truth. Yes, the rich were prospering, but what is their reality?
Psa 73:14
For all day long I have been plagued,
And chastened every morning.
Do you feel that it isn't worth following God. Again, Asaph allowed his emotions and feelings to bring him down down down.
Why?
He was going through a difficult time.
Isn't that were we as Christians get tried the most? During trials?
We have to guard against self pity and remember what trials are brought to us are to reveal a new side of God's character to us.
If Asaph wasn't perplexed he might have not wrestled with his thoughts and never come to appreciate his salvation. Yes he is in the midst of a mind battle right now, but look at how it all changed.
Verse 17
Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end.
Asaph needed to go and get refreshed in his Jesus.
What happened when he went into the sanctuary? He saw spiritual reality.
It in the end of all things that we see where there is a divide.
There are only two options: heaven or hell.
The rich enjoy this life because this is their heaven, what's coming to them is worst then what we go through on this Earth.
We are trust in God and not grow bitter towards what is happening around us. God is in control. Control of rulers, controls of all things. Keep close to the Lord.
Asaph realized how foolish it was to envy those who are perishing.
Have we realized this?
Why do we compare with the wicked, look at where their life is leading them?
Honestly, it's a bit sobering.
Asaph took a big gulp of humble pie and turned back to his relationship with God.
He realized that just want he needed and wanted in his life was right there all along.
Verse 23
Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
We as Christians are never alone. Jesus is with us always. He is our strong arm. Even through the storms of life, He is always there.
verse 24
You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.
Phil 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Amen!!! We get to Go to heaven. On earth He guides us, In heaven he Glorifies us. What a beautiful thing that is.
verse 25
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
Awe, now we are talking. Asaph got it. No more comparing just concentrating on Christ. That's the secret to success when we are in a trail, Focus on Christ.
verse 26
My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Amen. Our flesh is frail. We fail, but God is there always.
Asaph is encouraging his heart in God.
Do that today! Talk to yourself about God's strength in your life.
If you are down and out, push through and praise.
Get your thoughts to think on your future, your heavenly home and the
God that is guiding you there. HE loves you so much.
He really does.
verse 28
But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
That I may declare all Your works.
Amen. I couldn't have said it any better than this.
Asaph fully turned around.
He is on the right track: not speaking of the wicked but of the Works of God.
What a happier place that is.
Take it from Asaph, he got it.
Blessings.
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