Psalm 73:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

NIV: A psalm of Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

NASB: God certainly is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart!

CSB: God is indeed good to Israel, to the pure in heart.

NLT: Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure.

KJV: {A Psalm of Asaph.} Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.

NKJV: {A Psalm of Asaph.} Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart.

As he begins Psalm 73, Asaph reflects on God's character. This is an important perspective, since it provides context for the heartfelt description he gives in the next few verses. That includes a deep, faith-challenging struggle with the earthly success of wicked people (Psalm 73:2–3). This psalm depicts how Asaph wrestled with this challenge (Psalm 73:16–17), ultimately coming back to a full and confident faith in God (Psalm 73:28).

While writing this, Asaph, may have recounted the many gracious acts God had performed on behalf of Israel. God had made a covenant with Israel to bless His people when they obeyed Him (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28—30). Throughout Israel's history, God had come to the nation's rescue. He had delivered the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. He had provided for His people throughout their wilderness journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. He had protected them from antagonistic Canaanite tribes. He had also enabled His people to take possession of the Promised Land and had delivered them from oppression in the times of the Judges. He had given them David to be their king.

As an Old Testament believer, Asaph's sense of God's people would imply the nation of Israel, itself. Still, his remark here mentions those who are "pure in heart" (Psalm 24:4), which previews the faith-based message more clearly spelled out in the New Testament (Romans 9:6–8).

Psalm 73:1–9 depicts a struggle which resonates with Christians in many eras of history. Asaph almost abandoned his faith in God because he envied the prosperous wicked. He describes them as healthy, wealthy, proud, violent, and profane. Job 21 includes a similar description of the wicked. The wording here is meant to be somewhat exaggerated, reflecting the painful perspective of godly people who suffer. The following verses discuss how the same problems lead others to question God, and how Asaph ultimately resolves his doubts and confirms his faith.

Seeing godless people thrive, even as they hatefully mock God, while believers suffer, leads many people to a crisis of faith. This was the case for Asaph. Using exaggerated imagery, he complains to the Lord that it seems as if evil people have easy lives, while godly people suffer. Further reflection reminds Asaph that sin does lead to consequences, both in this life and the next. He confesses his sins of bitterness and resolves to trust God more deeply.

This psalm is the first in a collection which corresponds to Leviticus and the overall theme of worship. Asaph, who wrote Psalm 73, confesses that seeing prosperity among wicked people brought him bitterness and envy. That nearly caused him to lose trust in God. Carefully considering God and His eternal truth led Asaph to a stronger faith. Job chapter 21, in which trial-laden Job also complains about the success of some wicked people, mentions many of the same ideas as Psalm 73.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.