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Psalm 73:1-20
1 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
15 If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.
16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou casteist them down into destruction.
19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
Conclusion:
Psalm 73 - The Prosperity of The Wicked
In Psalm 73 I believe that Asaph has seen everything that was happening in Jerusalem and how the wicked had maltreated God's people and yet they still prosper.
So he cried out to the Lord God and He gave Asaph a glimpse in Psalm 73 The Prosperity of the Wicked was revealed to Asaph.
Asaph spoke from the innermost part of his heart and lamented how he felt about the prosperity of the wicked. They do not worship God and yet they are prosperous in all their doings.
They are corrupt and speak wickedly concerning oppression because they're constantly fighting and destroying the people of God, yet everything is going great for the wicked and their families.
Verse 11: And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most high? we can see that they have no regard whatsoever for the Lord God and they are full of pride.
When Asaph began to compare his lifestyle to the prosperity of the wicked he became depressed. As he had mentioned in "verse 13: I have cleansed my heart in vain and washed my hands in innocency." He also look over his life and thought this was too painful for him to endure.
My thought on the prosperity of the wicked, a Christian should not envy the prosperity of the wicked, but just like the writer Asaph in Psalm 73 sometimes our eyes can easily lose focus from the Word and the Principles of God and gravitates to the wicked and incline to the things of this world.
Asaph was seeking to understand what was happening around him and this causes him to fall into confusion and despair in a dark place as he cried out to the God of Israel.
Asking himself why am I suffering? How long would God allow the wicked to be prosperous? Why doesn't God intervene and bring them to confession? After God has seen all the vicious things they have done to hurt His people and damage the House of God.
But soon God will give Asaph the understanding of why the wicked prosper and gain more in their wickedness. Asaph felt like it is not worthwhile serving God and suffering when he saw all the chaotic disasters in Israel.
Yes, the prosperity of the wicked will definitely increase because they serve other gods and use rituals, sacrifices and blood offerings to gain their riches and wealth. But these sacrifices are ungodly and their prosperity is not from the Lord God, it will soon dissipate and their actions and sins will be exposed like the sunlight on a noonday.
Therefore, fret not yourself about the prosperity of the wicked. But wait upon the Lord and take refuge in God and be comforted He will bless you with joy, peace, finance, and best of all Eternal Life.
But later when Asaph went into the Sanctuary God answered all his questions and concerns in Psalm 73 about the prosperity of the wicked.
Definition of Wicked: Individuals who are unrighteous (outside of Christ) and practice evil doings, purposely violating the commandment and principles of God without any remorse. Oppressing and afflicting God's people, the word of God is foolishness to them and they refused to acknowledge the teaching of God's word.
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