Psalm 73

Authorship

This psalm was authored by Asaph.

Outline

(This began as Wendland's Expository Outline, but may be adapted.)

I. God is good. (1)

A. To Israel.

B. To those with a clean heart.

II. The psalmist’s condition. (2-4)

A. My feet were almost gone.

B. My steps had well nigh slipped.

C. I was envious of the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

III. The foolish, wicked man. (4-12)

A. There are no bands (pangs) in their death.

B. Their strength is firm.

C. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

D. Their pride compasses them about as a chain.

E. Violence covers them as a garment.

F. Their eyes stand out with fatness.

G. They have more than heart could wish.

H. They are corrupt and speak wickedly concerning oppression:

1. They speak loftily.

2. They set their mouth against the heavens.

3. Their tongue walks through the earth.

4. A full cup of their evil is dumped on innocent people.

5. They say:

a. How does God know?

b. Is there knowledge in the most High?

I. They prosper in the world and increase in riches.

IV. The psalmist’s first response to the wicked. (14-16)

A. He felt he had cleansed his heart in vain and washed his hands in innocency.

B. He was plagued all day long and chastened every morning.

C. He had to watch his words, so he wouldn’t offend.

D. Viewing the prosperity of the wicked was painful for him.

V. A change in attitude. (17-22)

A. What he realized: When he went to the sanctuary of God, he understood their end.

1. They are set in slippery places.

2. They are eventually cast down into destruction.

3. They are brought into desolation, as in a moment.

4. They are utterly consumed with terrors.

5. When God awakes and acts, their image is despised.

B. What he regretted:

1. His heart was grieved and pricked.

2. He felt he had been foolish.

3. He felt like a beast before God.

VI. The abiding faithfulness of God. (23-28)

A. Despite the psalmist’s negative attitude, God was continually with him:

1. Holding his right hand.

2. Guiding him with His counsel.

3. Preparing to receive him to glory.

B. The psalmist’s declaration:

1. Whom have I in heaven but Thee?

2. There is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee.

3. My flesh and my heart fails: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

4. Those far from God will perish and be destroyed.

5. It is good to draw near to God, putting trust in Him and declaring His works.

Textual Criticism

The following is from Barthélemy's Critique textuelle de l’Ancien Testament volume on the Psalms. For a key to the various symbols and abbreviations, click here.

Ps 73,1 לְיִשְׂרָאֵל {A}

Ps 73,2 וַאֲנִי {A}

Ps 73,4 לְמוֹתָם {A}

Ps 73,7 עֵינֵמוֹ {C} MT, α', σ', Hebr, T // err-graph: G, S clav עֲוֹנָמוֹ

Ps 73,10A עַמּוֹ {B} MT, Hebr, T // facil-styl: G, S clav עַמִּי

Ps 73,10B הֲלֹם

Ps 73,10C וּמֵי {C} MT // paraphr: T / err-voc: Hebr clav וּמִי / err-graph: G clav וִימֵי / abr-elus: S om / incert: σ'

Ps 73,10D יִמָּצוּ {B} MT, T // err-graph: G, σ', S clav יִמָּצְאוּ, Hebr clav יִמְצְאוּ

Ps 73,12 וְשַׁלְוֵי {B} MT, Hebr // lic: G, S, T

Ps 73,15 כְּמוֹ הִנֵּה {B} MT // exeg: G, Hebr, S, T

Ps 73,17 מִקְדְּשֵׁי {B} MT, σ', Hebr, T // transl: G, S

Ps 73,20 אֲדֹנָי {A}

Ps 73,26 צוּר לְבָבִי {A}

Ps 73,28 לְסַפֵּ֗ר כָּל־מַלְאֲכוֹתֶיךָ {A}