Click here to read PSALM 73 in poetic form.
Background
Psalm 73 opens the Leviticus book of the Psalms (73—89). The Old Testament book of Leviticus focuses on matters in the sanctuary: the priesthood, ceremonial laws, and feasts. Almost all of these 17 Psalms mention the sanctuary and God’s relation to it. Psalm 73 shows the heartache of those who are outside God’s “sanctuary” and His blessings.
Hebrews 6:20 speaks of “Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” Today, born-again believers are “sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints” (I Corinthians 1:2), “washed…sanctified…justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (I Corinthians 6:11), and “sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). We are living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), and we collectively are “an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:21,22).
The title includes “A Psalm of Asaph.” Psalm 50 in the Exodus book of the Psalms also has this title. There are 11 Psalms (73-83) with this title in the Leviticus book of Psalms. Regarding Asaph, Nehemiah 7:44 speaks of “The singers: the children of Asaph.” They were responsible for worship in the Temple. For further study on Asaph, see II Kings 18:18,37; I Chronicles 6:39; 9:15; 15:17,19; 16:5,7,37; 25:1,2,6,9; 26:1; II Chronicles 5:12; 20:14; 29:13,30; 35:15; Ezra 2:41; 3:10; Nehemiah 2:8; 7:44; 11:17,22; 12:35,46; Psalms 50:1; 73:1; 74:1; 75:1; 76:1; 77:1; 78:1; 79:1; 80:1; 81:1; 82:1; 83:1; Isaiah 36:3,22.
This Psalm deals with the heartache of man. Looking without, we see that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse” (II Timothy 3:13). Looking within, we see that “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool” (Proverbs 28:26). Thus man is tossed about with his emotions. But when we look to God, through His Son Jesus Christ, we are enlightened (II Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 1:18). We have “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding…through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
Structure
(Verse 1) God’s goodness established
(Verses 2-12) Looking without: envious of the foolish, prideful, and ungodly
(Verses 13-16) Looking within: painful to see daily challenges
(Verses 17-20) God’s perspective (from His sanctuary): the wicked destroyed
(Verses 21-26) God’s perspective (His counsel): God strengthens Messiah’s heart
(Verses 27,28) God’s justice and goodness established
Key Scriptures
Verse 9—“They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.” The prideful speak against God in heaven and His Messiah upon the earth.
Verse 17—“Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.” From outward appearances, people can seem to have it all together. Yet from a truly spiritual perspective, they are in “slippery places” (verse 18).
Verses 23,24—“Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” These words would have brought great comfort to Jesus Christ when he read them. He knew that his Father would continually guide him in his ministry, and that He would raise Jesus Christ from the dead to bring him unto glory (Matthew 25:31).
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
