Psalm 73; How God Changed My Perspective
Recommended Procedure. Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading.
Idea for the Bible teacher or discussion leader: Have a discussion about real jealousies: Do you get jealous when you see others on television with their gorgeous well-shaped bodies? If you are on social media, do you see people enjoy things you could only dream about? Do you wish you had their money and influence? Do you wish you could travel the seven seas and or see the seven wonders of the world, travel on a yacht to Tahiti or live in a 300 room mansion on a gorgeous estate and drive a Tesla? Would you like to wear the most expensive clothing like a
Does life seem unfair? While others are enjoying wealth and prosperity, you are having health issues, or suffering grief, or you lose your job and are having a hard time making ends meet?
The Psalmist in today's Bible study can sympathize with you. Find out how God changed his perspective and what or who can change yours.
Getting Ready
Today, we are studying Psalm 73 which occurs in the third collection of the Psalms (#73-89). Psalms 73-89 illustrate our struggles with our world and faith. At the end, however, there is usually a positive resolution
Go to today's Bible reading and read Psalm 73 ten times. Try reading it and/ or listening to it in different versions. This will help you understand the overall context of the Psalm and how it might be divided.
Look at the Introduction to the Psalms. What kind of Psalm is this and why?
Answer about Structure and Style
Now, let's dig a little deeper.
Observing significant things in a passage.
Words. If a word is repeated over and over, it's probably important. It can indicate a theme, who the audience is, an important person or position, or help us determine the context of a passage. What word or words are repeated and how many times? What questions do you have about them?
Audience. To whom was this Psalm addressed?
Theme: What might be the theme of this psalm? What title would suit this Psalm?
Now that you have a temporary title, what might be the subtitles, the sub themes? What problem or complaint did the author have?
What was the author's perspective of the wicked or arrogant in vs's 1-3?
Why was the psalmist envious of the arrogant?
Psalm 73:4-12
They have no struggles;
their bodies are healthy and strong.
They are free from common human burdens;
they are not plagued by human ills.
Therefore pride is their necklace;
they clothe themselves with violence.
From their callous hearts comes iniquity
their evil imaginations have no limits.
They scoff, and speak with malice;
with arrogance they threaten oppression.
Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
and their tongues take possession of the earth.
Therefore their people turn to them
and drink up waters in abundance.
They say, “How would God know?
Does the Most High know anything?”
This is what the wicked are like—
always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.
From verses 4-12, in your own words, what were the reasons the psalmist envied the arrogant?
Verses 13-16
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
and have washed my hands in innocence.All day long I have been afflicted,
and every morning brings new punishments.If I had spoken out like that,
I would have betrayed your children.When I tried to understand all this,
it troubled me deeply
What was the composer's honest feelings about their life versus his own?
How might he "betray your children" if he spoke his honest but unfaithful feelings? What does it mean to betray your children? Whose children? Read verses 13-16 and verse 18.
Verse 17 marks a turning point to this psalm. The key word is till (meaning until). Until what? What changes the psalmist's perspective on life? Why do you suppose that worked?
Has anything similar happened in your life, or are you facing something now where this perspective is helpful? Share it if you would like, and I will pray for you. We all face challenges to our life and faith, so we need each other.
Verses 16-20
When I tried to understand all this,
it troubled me deeply
till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny.Surely you place them on slippery ground;
you cast them down to ruin.How suddenly are they destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors!
They are like a dream when one awakes;
when you arise, Lord,
you will despise them as fantasies.How does entering the Sanctuary of God (possibly meaning the Tent of Meeting, the place where God made his home), change the author's perspective? The sanctuary in Moses's day was similar in some respect to a church, a place of worship. Why would this make a difference? Has being in church changed your perspective on life? How?
When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered,
I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before you.In the above verses, 21-22, summarize how the psalmist assesses himself. Use your own words.
Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.Verses 23-24 are another turning point. First he is in the sanctuary, and now he is focusing on God's grace.
What does the psalmist mean to hold me by my right hand? What does it mean, that he will lead him with his counsel? What does he mean afterward you will take me into glory?
Verses 25-29
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.How has the Psalmist changed? Where was his heart before, and what is it like now? Is there a key to his change of attitude? What is it?
In these final verses, the Psalmist summarizes the end of the ungodly, those who are far from God. What is their end?
But as for me," indicates the author's turn in focus. and a decision. What is it? What value is there in doing what he did?Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.
28 But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.
14
Today's Focus Verses:
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Structure and Style: This is a tutorial psalm. The Psalmist starts with his problem of jealousy, and teaches us later to focus on God
A1: I, they, and you [God] are words often repeated, and it shows a progression in perspective: What I do and what I feel; What they do [in this case the immoral rich, popular, or influential person does]; and how you [God] change my perspective. Do we want a God perspective? Then like God led the psalmist to see things from his perspective, we must get our minds off of ourselves and others and put them on God.
"Heart" is another word often repeated in this psalm. The heart is the issue in our perspective, isn't it? You can have a pure heart, an envious heart, an evil heart, or a changed heart conformed to God's heart. Which will it be for you and me?
"Are" and "Have" are also frequently mentioned. How many times do we focus on what other people have and not what we are or have from God?
A2: The psalmist's envious heart, vs's 1-3
His prospective of those who are evil, but wealthy and prosperous, vs. 4-12
The author's disillusionment, vs. 13-17
God changes the composer's prospective, vs. 18-28
The author's problem or complaint was the wicked seem to thrive while the righteous struggle.
A3: It was a personal perspective. The psalmist recognized, in summary, that he almost slipped from God's favor because of his envy of the arrogant.
A4: The wicked seem healthy, strong, and wealthy. they are arrogant, without a care in the world except to do what they want, get rich, and deny God's existence. Their tribe of people follow them.
Are you sometimes envious of these people? Be honest. Sometimes I am, too.
A5:The Psalmist thinks he may be righteous for nothing, i.e.. it doesn't seem to benefit him. He has nothing but trouble and hardships. However, an unrighteous evil person has everything.
Grammatical note: the only second person reference in this psalm is God, (see verse 18 and following) so it means God's children, (i.e., the next generation of God-followers). If he expresses his doubts in God's goodness, he is in danger of discouraging the next generation of God followers. They may not want to learning from God and His blessings if we obey. He knows he can't betray the next generation, so he is careful with his words, but he is still troubled.
Sometimes we are troubled: We are experiencing, relational, financial or spiritual trials, and God doesn't seem to care. He even seems to bless those who are evil.
Instead of giving up, wait on God. He wants us to rely on him, not seek our own path. He always answers in his time, not ours. And, even if our faith wanes, he doesn't want us to discourage others, especially those younger in the faith.
What does Jesus say about discouraging the next generation from following him? Jesus said, It would be better if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were cast into the sea and drowned. God doesn't want the young discouraged from having faith in God, for such are those who are part of his kingdom. (Matthew 18:1-6). Will you wait on God?
Many young people lose faith in God. How can we help prevent this from happening? You might profit by reading this article about losing faith.
He is very troubled with his thoughts. He knows they aren't right. What is he to make of it? Certainly this is not prosperity gospel living. What about the guy who is rich and evil while he, a God-follower is suffering?
A6: Until the Psalmist entered the sanctuary (what we might call church today) Then he understood their final destiny.
A7: Being among God's people in church is not only for worship but the preaching of the Word and mutual encouragement. This helps us with our daily struggles. We gain an eternal perspective.
A8The final destiny of those who are evil and will not repent is hell. This is also called, among other things, the Lake of Fire.
Meanwhile, evil people live in a fantasy world that will suddenly collapse on them.
Their confidence in themselves is a slippery slope; eventually they will fall and suffer for it. This isn't something we rejoice in, for it's only by the grace of God we can be saved. Knowing this, we should pray for them and understand, that although the world admires and follows them, we shouldn't.
A9: When we envy others and are not thankful, we can become embittered about what God hasn't provided. We might even shake our fist at God in our anger, and speak abusively toward God. This is like being a beast.
Have you been a beast in your behavior toward God or others? Repent! Realize what God has supplied and be content and thankful. Then think with reality what you really want. You really want a loving relationship with God, don't you?
A10: "Yet," describes another instance where God is gracious. He is giving security to the psalmist. He is like a father holding his child by his right hand, the hand of strength, the hand of blessing.
Then God leads him by his counsel. Where is his counsel? It is in God's Word, like this study is attempting to point you there. His counsel is comforting.
Afterwards, he will take the psalmist into glory. Because the Old Testament did not equate glory with heaven, it probably means God will restore the psalmist to a place of honor. It is God who is deserving of all honor and praise, but sometimes if we are innocent of wrongs, he brings us back to a place of respect and admiration.
Do you need a feeling of security, that you are cared for and God will supply all your needs? Then trust God. Trust him as your Savior and LORD. Trust the father will securely lead you by his Spirit. Trust that he will reward you in the end.
A10 His heart changed from envy to the love of God. The key seems to be his nearness to God. Are we drawing near to God? James says if we draw near to him, he will draw near to us. (James 4:8)
A11: The evil doers, those far from God, no matter how wise, popular, talented or rich they may be, will in the end perish.
The author not only wants to be near the Lord; he is making a commitment to make the Sovereign Lord his refuge, and then talk about him every day to anyone who will listen.
God is near to the psalmist, he doesn't need to envy the life styles of the rich and famous. God will work on his behalf to meet both his physical and emotional needs. Is God your refuge? Have you made a similar commitment?
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