Moreover, the shift in addressee in verses 15-28 indicates that Psalm 73 may be divided into two equal halves of 14 verses each: verses 1-14 and 15-28.9Furthermore, the repetition of key words marks the important segments of the poem as well as its flow. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. That is where we meet Asaph in Psalm 73. For this reason they do not fear divine retribution. So make the visit that Asaph made; put yourself in the place where God can speak to you about the issues of your life: be faithful in your church attendance; be faithful in your daily Bible reading. How could I say to Him: Blessed art Thou, Eternal, Master of the Universe, Who chose us from among the races to be tortured day and night, to see our fathers, our mothers, our brothers, end in the crematory? (Night, 64-65). "You try to honor God and stay humble and do good, you'll have a tough, mediocre life. Such a condition is contrary to the basic belief that God rewards the good with good. A sermon on Psalm 73 should also underscore the role that doubts and questioning plays in this psalm.59Questions and doubts are part and parcel of human experience, especially during painful suffering. That's right, it blew up. Read Online Responsorial Psalms For Funeral Liturgy Pdf For Free A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don't Plan to Die Common Worship: Pastoral Services The 1928 Book of Common Prayer Funeral Hymns Holy Bible Common Worship: Times and Seasons President's EditionContinuing Bonds How God guides The Moon by Night Elegy in a country church yard, on the evening of a funeral. read more, Scripture: But from the perspective of eternity, from the point of view in worship, there is a quick ride to the bottom. In language that recalls Psalm 24:4 (pure heart) and Psalm 26:6 (washed my hands in innocence), the poet asserts that his protestation of innocence in the lament ritual was completely in vain. Then he asked in 13:24 Why do You hide Your face and consider me Your enemy? Psalms 73:25-26. He wrote, Why, but why should I bless Him? I tripping over something that just doesn't make sense! Verse 25-26. Whitney Hand was one of the best womens basketball players who ever played for the University of Oklahoma, and she is also a Christian. This service acknowledges the seeming inequities of life and the doubts that arise yet declares strength, hope and protection in God our Sovereign Lord. They do not need God. His faith was tested and he almost fell away. Envy The envy he had of the wicked was like blinders to his eyes. He said, I was so foolish for almost giving in to these questions, and almost giving up my faith. Browse by letter: A. Sermon illustrations can be the tie that binds the text of God's word to the heart of the individual listening. God has SO much to say to us and so many of us are getting so much out of His word every day. It should be noted that the psalmists sobering moment begins, not in isolation, but as a member of a larger community to which he is accountable.26. In fact, someone pointed out that over the past 20 years at the Oscar ceremonies, Harvey Weinstein had been publicly thanked in the Oscar speeches as many times as God! This God-inspired worship leader is ready to walk away. (Lee Eclov, Vernon Hills, Illinois; source: "Thar She Blows!" Amen, and Amen ( Ps. Featuring Jen Wilkin, Jennifer Rothschild, Kristi McLelland, and more! You certainly don't welcome it. Stored up anger vents itself in headaches, ulcers, bitterness, resentment, private rehearsals of the injustice you've experienced, and outbursts of anger that are disconnected from the real problem. Surely You place them on slippery ground; You cast them down to ruin. Psalm 73:23-24 23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. Free shipping on books, Bibles, gifts, VBS, and church supplies of $50 or more. Those who are far from You will perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You. This is what a lot of these Psalms are about. 1. HINT: Since there are such a large number of resources on this page (>10,000 links) you might consider beginning with the more recent commentaries that briefly discuss all 150 Psalms . Psalm 73 in context. Hugh Hefner may well have been one of the most evil men in the world in the last generation. Psalm 73 begins with a unique affirmation of faith in verse 1 that functions as its basic premise, which is tested in verses 2-27 and marvelously reaffirmed in verse 28: Surely God is good to Israel,15 to those who are pure in heart. And is there knowledge with the Most High? He says these people are basically spitting at God and getting away with it! Scripture: Psalm 73:21-26. be blessed man of god. At least that seems to be the meaning of the emphatic summary conclusion of the lengthy description of the wicked in verse 12, which echoes verse 3 and, together with it, frames verses 4-11: Look (hinneh) at the wicked always at ease, they increase their wealth. What troubled the psalmist is that their lifestyle works.23. Eternity broke into his temporal perspective. Who did something unfair to you at work? Be like the disciples in John 6, when Jesus had told the crowds that had been following Him some difficult things about what it meant to believe, and everyone was leaving Him. Because in His great might He had created Auschwitz, Birkenau, Buna, and so many factories of death? The smell was almost unbearable. Behind every support specialist, Bible study editor, graphic designer, and accountant is a Sunday School teacher, kids volunteer, or small group leader. According to verse 18, God will place the wicked on the slippery slope that the psalmist almost experienced (vs. 2). Publisher's summary: Confraternities were the most common form of organized religious life in medieval and early modern Europe. "It is good for me to draw near to God.". Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. 3. They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors.. Psalm 25:6-9 All The Wrong Notes. "God I'm so angry! Things are going to change very quickly; sometimes even here on earth, but if not; they will change very dramatically the first moment of eternity. This turning point consists of two important observations.25, First, according to verse 15, one important consideration that kept his feet from slipping from the faith was once and for all the generation of Gods children. And it shows us that we can do that with God too; these Psalms give us permission to bring our honest hurts and feelings to God, and say like these Psalmists: Their eyes swell out through fatness; their hearts overflow with follies. Vs. 17 certainly leaves us wanting more. Scripture: Psalm 73:25-26. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. But the NRSV translation of this clause shows that the clause could also mean that the psalmist is restored to his honor. Sometimes, however, questions and doubt are not directly the result of sin. Others, however, claim that it is a song of thanksgiving by an individual. What Asaph Knew. Youll only regret it if you do. Ever been gossiped about? Introduction to Psalm 73: "Seeing Clearly in the Sanctuary". That is so important. Psalm 73 is the honest confession of a faithful Israelite, concerning his own struggle with the problem of pain. Under these circumstances, Psalm 73 helps believers to be honest with God. Psalm 25:2 E-Mail Challenge. Why do my classmates blatantly cheat on tests and assignments, and they are getting better grades than I am? They were at once the lay face of the church, the spiritual heart of civic government, and the social kin who claimed the allegiance of peers and the obedience of subordinates. So dont turn away from God in your questions and times of difficulty, turn TO Him. In other words, his sole reward for leading a moral life is constant suffering. soul satisfying. That rich man lived in luxury, and wouldnt even give the crumbs from his table to poor Lazarus; and there was that poor man, covered with sores, starving. The brief asseveration of divine justice, however, is followed immediately by the poets candid confession that he almost abandoned the faith (vs. 2). This is a valuable lesson for us: When you are troubled by something in life, dont turn away from God; turn TO Him. Denomination: Methodist. : "When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you." Asaph realized that "the world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." Because ONE SECOND after they died, it all changed suddenly, didnt it? Reorientation with Respect to Gods Presence (vv. Still, in v. 15, he stops to consider the impact his next steps will have: "If I had said, 'I will speak thus,' I would have betrayed your children." Asaphs Faltering Faith (A Man-Oriented Perspective) (73:1-3), They speak with arrogance and gain a following (vs. 8-10), Summary: The lives of the wicked are easy and prosperous (vs. 12), Asaphs Restored Faith (A God-Oriented Perspective) (73:18-28), 2023 Southern Hills Baptist Church - Round Rock, Texas, Southern Hills is a family of believers who exist to glorify God by helping people experience life change through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Psalm 73: Remembering the Truth in Times of Doubt. Temptation General, Temptation Resisting, Denomination: It should just end better. You are an awesome preacher! With an eternal perspective, everything looks different. "It was oppressive to me," he said. In 21:17, Why do the wicked still live, continue on, also become very powerful? Do not covet your neighbor's wife, his male or female slave, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." Weve been to sanctuary of God; weve read the word of God, and we know how it ends. You are currently impersonating {{userSessionData.email}}. They recommend specifics by the score; salts from the earth, herbs of the field, drugs from the east, minerals from the rock, extracts, compounds, simples, cordials, decoctions, quintessences, and I . According to Psalm 1:6b, the way of the wicked self-destructs. They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!. Unless otherwise specified, content on this website is licensed as Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0. Or: I have always tried to do the right thing, and not drink, or smoke, or do drugs, but I have all these health problems; while people I know who dont care, but go and do whatever they want are totally healthy and able-bodied. The first correction concerns the fate of the wicked in verses 18-20, which is introduced with the emphatic particle surely. In somber language he describes at length what was already introduced in summary fashion in Psalm 1:6b.34 Unlike Psalm 1:6b, however, God is directly involved in their destruction. Why do I serve in ministry, week after week, but it doesnt seem like it is doing any good, and no one is responding or changing? On the basis of these and other repetitions the compositional structure of Psalm 73 may be subdivided as follows: vs. 1; vv. John Piper Sep 11, 2018. He was watching how the ungodly were getting along. Thats the message were going to hear the next 3 Wednesday nights, in the video. (Psalm 22:2) This psalm is a brutally honest confessional, from the heart of Asaph to the God he felt had given him a rip off. The speaker of Psalm 73 admits that he was envious. What caused Asaph to almost lose his faith, and what brought him out of it and how can this help those of us today, who might have some questions like he did? He became depressed. How the Psalms Speak to All of Our Emotions Dane C. Ortlund. In light of the verses that follow, good could be taken to refer to material goods (cf. He discovers that faith depends not on his fragile, often vulnerable grasp of God, but on Gods grasp of him.39 That hand has not and will not let him go.40 In addition, in sharp contrast to the wicked, who claim that the Most High knows nothing, the psalmist admits that, not the counsel of the wicked (Ps 1:1), but Gods counsel personally guides41 him in the way that he should go (vs. 24a).42 Indeed, in the end God will receive him into glory (vs. 24b; NIV). Ps 26:7-8) in dramatic transformation of the psalmists despairing doubt (vv. The Man Who Almost Gave Up His Faith (Psalm 73sermon), Lifeway Explore the Bible: John 12:1-11, "Why Wasn't This Sold? III. Hah." They can take care of themselves. To help listeners who are struggling with unsettling doubts in their faith, therefore, a sermon should lead the audience step by step through the poets train of thought. Psalm 73 belongs to the didactic psalms, conveying personal wisdom and faith. Psalm 73 is a favorite for many Jewish and Christian believers because the words of this precious psalm ring true to their experience. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. In Psalm 73 a man named Asaph expresses a frustration that many have shared. He says, the wicked people are succeeding, and the righteous are being punished. Asaph takes his raw deal to the right place and finds out that he didn't have it bad after all. You are the church, and Lifeway is here to serve you with biblical resources for everything life brings your way. He said in Job 10:18, Why then have You brought me out of the womb? In other words, his suffering was so great, why would God allow him to be born if he was going to have to go through all of that? He took his doubts and confusion to God in prayer. The Prayers of The Psalms. Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. God is the Christian's inheritance as the light of his intellect. And he doesn't keep the cause of his troubles a secret. John Piper Dec 4, 1988. He said in :3, For I was envious of the arrogant He said the wicked in his land seemed to prosper, and he was jealous of them. It literally means peace with God such that your life is fulfilled, tranquil, and complete. In the midst of suffering believers often feel cheated and begin to question and doubt God's goodness. As men despise their dreams when they awake from them, so, when God "stirs up himself and awakes to judgment" ( Psalms 35:23 ), he will despise such mere semblances of humanity ( Psalms 39:6) as the wicked are. Asaph had been checking out the people playing for the other team. Psalm 25:8 Bubbles On The Border. :4 There are no pains in their death, and their body is fat. A sermon on Psalm 73 should also highlight that there is something very unique about going to church that defies the limits of human wisdom. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! I cannot go where He is not. In the worst times of your life, dont make the mistake of turning away from the only One who can help you! Have you ever been betrayed? 15-16; 17-20; 21-22; 23-26; and 27-28. Psalm 73:28, Tags: How to Live with God as Your Portion By Kristine Brown . Cars, people, and local shops were splattered with whale entrails. It refers first of all to God. The Thesis: God is Good (vs. 1) Psalm 73 is written as Asaph looks back at his time of struggle and doubt. He opens it with a truth: "Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.". But if they did, they were foolish. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. You live by lust, power, greed, and deceit, and you become a celebrity. Job had questions like this, didnt he? Betcha no one got up that morning thinking they would have whale guts on them by noon! 22-24). My God, my God; why have You forsaken me? Like David in Psalm 22 Based on this certainty the psalmist then proclaims that even though his health should fail, God is his Rock46 and portion.47 With respect to this confession of trust, Artur Weiser writes: Nowhere else in the Old Testament is the power of faith in God to master life so profoundly grasped in such purity and strength, nowhere so forcefully formulated, as in the nevertheless, uttered by faith, by which the poet of Psalm 73 commits himself to God.48. Using the imagery of clothing in this verse, the psalmist boldly engages in shrewd moral and economic criticism.22 According to this verse, the affluent are well-off because of pride and violence. But in the end, God allows Asaph to regain a proper perspective. So he says in :13, Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and washed my hands in innocence. Keep up the good work. Asaph went to "church." He DIDNT but he said, he almost did. The closing verses (vv. However, the Hebrew verbs of verse 17 are not in the past tense. The visit he made: They are arrogant and wicked, he said. Like Asaph, come into the sanctuary of God.. So when Asaph got this revelation from God, he said Oh, Ive been so foolish. He said in :22, I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You, God. As such, it has proved to be an enduring source of comfort amidst suffering. This little song is worth several sermons so don't feel bad if we emphasize some parts tonight and not others. 6, 10). For the psalmist worship and economics were not separated. 2. And he's about to get as real as it gets. Asaph goes on to tell us here in Psalm 73 that God did show him the whole picture, and what he learned kept him from giving up . 8-Week Series for Lent. Look at v. 3: "For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." And their end will be terrible. Tension and struggle flow like lava from a volcano in Psalm 73. Isn't that just like life sometimes? They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like mankind. They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. He tells it all in v. 13: Did I purify my heart and wash my hands in innocence for nothing? Panic, Conclusions, Denomination: Whom have I in heaven but You? I heard a sermon last Sunday on Psalm 73. But on the other hand, HE, who was trying to obey God and do what is right, has been stricken all day long, and chastened every morning.. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. They are the blessed, not me. ", Can you connect with any of these feelings? Apparently he ignored the sound advice from Proverbs 23:17 (Do not let your heart envy sinners but always continue in the fear of the Lord). He kept his faith, but I lost mine. Instead, the wicked, now defined as those who live far from God in their actions and speech (vs. 11), will perish.52 By itself this crucial discovery in verse 26a seems to be based on wisdoms conduct and consequence principle that was already introduced in Psalm 1:6b: the way of the wicked self-destructs. Unlike Psalm 1:6b, however, the speaker attributes the destruction of the wicked directly to God in the parallel clause: you destroy (or silence) all who commit adultery (vs. 27b).53 This reappraisal assumes that the Lord is the Judge of the earth (Ps 94:1) and that it is God who will repay them for their injustice and that God, his stronghold and refuge (Ps 94:22), will destroy them (Ps 94:23). Sexual Lust (Tie) They have no trouble; they succeed at everything they do; they are so well off they are bulging with fatness; and are at ease and have increased in wealth. June 08, 2017 The Psalms are in the Bible to give a us a full range of ways to approach God. "I nearly lost my grip on what I believe. (616) 526-6088 worship@calvin.edu, On the campus of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary, See our related website, Zeteo Preaching and Worship. In every fiber I rebelled. The admission that his feet almost slipped suggests that perhaps the law of God was not in his heart (Ps 37:30). The psalmists realization of Gods presence in verses 22-24 leads to a reflective spin-off in verses 25-26,44 in which he articulates a supreme confession of trust.45 In verse 25 he confesses that the antidote to his previous envy (vs. 3) is his hold-guide-receive experience of Gods persistent presence (vv. Armed with a new perspective about God and this world, Asaph also sees himself clearly. You examples are superb. Asaph paused to realize that his decisions will have ripple effects on others. C. A Significant Turning Point (vv. Verses 4-5 of the first part detail why the wicked enjoy shalom. This slippery slope leads to utter ruin. Because He had had thousands of children burned in His pits? He was, I believe, a godly man during the time of his personal struggle. Rating . Even though these words were written 3000 years ago, they might as well have been written today. Harvey Weinstein was for many years one of the top producers in Hollywood. WORD AND PHRASE STUDY. For I have been stricken all day long, and chastened every morning., Asaph says, look at these wicked people, who mock God, who do wicked things to other people. In the NT Jesus says dont cause one of these little ones to stumble that means dont do anything that might cause someone to be lost.) God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him Learn more about Desiring God . Once again he is able to see life from the perspective of eternity and his confidence and contentment in God are restored. end). We can also affirm the future because God's Presence companions us. He was fired from his company, kicked off of the Hollywood Academy, his wife left him, and criminal charges are being investigated. A sermon should underscore, to borrow from the title of Robert Davidson excellent commentary, the vitality of worship. According to verse 16, human rationality could not explain the perplexing problem of why good things happen to bad people and why bad things happen to good people.62 Only the communal experience (vs. 15) in the sanctuary of God provided the necessary perspective to resolve the psalmists crisis of faith (vs. 17). But in worship we see from God's infinite perspective. Change). I hadnt felt good all day. Psalm 25:1-10 Riding Out The Waves. In addition, as he looked around he saw those who had no regard for God living in prosperity and apparent happiness. May Gods word continue to bless your life! Moreover, it helps them transition from radical doubt to a robust reaffirmation of faith. WHERE YOU STAND DETERMINES WHAT YOU SEE!. So dont cave in to your doubts. The congregation was well instructed in the theme and shape of this psalm, which presents a . You have words of eternal life. See, what we have to remember is that this life is not all there is. "Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him." Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. Or maybe he does business with an ungodly person in town who seems to have the Midas touch. Arrogant refers to people who make sure people notice them and what they have. God wants to do that for you. Therefore pride is their necklace; violence covers them as a garment. However, a bad illustration can distract and confuse if the listener. This great discovery, in turn, leads the speaker to reaffirm his faith in God, I have made Adonai, the LORD,56my refuge. In so doing, he picks up the important theme from Psalm 2:12, Oh the happiness of those who take refuge in him., However, he not only declares that he has made the Lord his refuge. Psalm 25:1-12 God Of New Beginnings. He says God is good; I know that . 1, 28) form an inclusio and frame within which the painful experience of the poet is unfolded. I want to talk with you for the next several weeks about the hardest, the most painful, the worst days of your life. We know where history is going. It reminds us . 8. (1 John 2:17) God completely controls their destiny, not them. Message. It's not difficult for that to happen, by the way. (Psalms 73:15-16 RSV) Here he is, filled with doubts and despair and almost ready to give up, but something stops him. Asaph is acknowledging what Hebrews 11:6 names as the very essence of faith. The opening statement God is good echoes Psalm 25:8 and 34:8 and the phrase pure in heart recalls Psalm 24:4. Is it really worth it to serve God? Who did you in financially? Why did the close friend, in whom I trusted, who ate bread with me, lift up his heel against me? It is this asseveration of divine justice that is severely tested in verses 2-27 and marvelously reaffirmed in verse 28, which, as we have noted above, forms an inclusio with verse 1. God is NOT insane; it IS worth it to serve Him, literally no matter what the cost. He lost his son on the mission field, and he was asking, Is God insane for asking His people to make sacrifices like that? Gods NOT insane; but these kinds of questions are real, and difficult.). In v. 4-12, he breaks down what he had observed. He was angry and disillusioned. It's all backwards." Dt 32:4). Two of the words refer to the people he had been tracking. (John 3:16 sermon), "The Message of the Cross" (I Cor. . Reorientation with Respect to the Wicked (vv. She said: It should end better for this kid. Fire devours everything in his way, and a great storm rages around . 4. He was really troubled by what he had seen in the world around him, and it raised questions which bothered him. These are a lot like Asaphs questions, arent they? But then he begins to tell his own personal testimony in :2, "But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling.". Wiesel was a devout Jew before his experience in the Nazi death camps, but his time there destroyed his faith. You didn't plan for it. God will judge the wicked, and He will reward the righteous; those who have turned away from their sins, and followed Jesus as their Savior. Now get ready for the stinger. But Peter answered and said to Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? However, such is clearly not the case. Free Access to Sermons on Relational Vs Personal, Church Sermons, Illustrations on Relational Vs Personal, and Preaching Slides on Relational Vs Personal. So they say: Dont be on the wrong side of history.. To ensure you receive the best experience on Lifeway.com, we use cookies to process information about your visit. On the contrary, the verb enter in the temporal clause of verse 17a is a simple future (YQTL) and the main clause (vs. 17b) is a cohortative.27 Perhaps verse 17 should be translated as follows28: Only when I enter Gods sanctuaries,29 am I able to understand30 their fate (lit. Envy blinded his vision. Psalm 73. That spoke to a need in my life, or a question on my heart. And I am grateful that God speaks to us through His word! He was evil. 13-14), the poet first embarks on an extensive and vivid description of the actions and words of the wicked in verses 4-12.18. It was a truly encouraging sermon about how our perspectives on the world can become skeweduntil we enter the sanctuary of the Lord and see from his perspective, all the way to the very end. This switch marks a major turning point in the poem. And earth has nothing I desire besides You. Envy had poisoned him and had powerful effects on him. They are self-promoting, anti-God, and worldly, and they are the ones that are getting a slice of the pie, not me. Each of these sections is dominated by they and concludes with a very important therefore (vv. :17 If I had said, I will speak thus, behold I would have betrayed the generation of Your children. 27-28) summarize the psalmists spiritual journey and especially the new vision that he gained in verses 18-20 and verses 23-26 in terms of the spatial image of far and near. This summary functions as the psalmists great reaffirmation of faith. For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. He says in :16 that all of this WAS troublesome in my sight UNTIL I came into the sanctuary of God. To help us, we will turn to the Psalms, where the raw emotions of real people who just hit the wall are expressed, and where deep reservoirs of truth are found that can help you through. The answer is that these verses serve as a rhetorical foil for the passionate protest that follows in verses 13-14. And through it all, he stayed real with God. Why? Your family. 15 Outstanding Quotes To Recharge Your Preaching. Why do dictators, child molesters, and corporate raiders get off easy? Sermon. But because there is an eternity, what happens in this life is not even a speck on the timeline of eternity, and we know that things will be different there. God is on trial in this lament psalm, but ironically, the psalmist functions more as the defense attorney than the prosecuting attorney. 'S infinite perspective that your life, or a question on my heart light... This website is licensed as Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 a beast before,! They and concludes with a very important therefore ( vv last generation: did I purify my heart and my. That follows in verses 4-12.18 his feet almost slipped ; I psalm 73 sermon illustration that have! Envy he had had thousands of children burned in his way, and almost giving in to these questions arent! Congregation was well instructed in the video the worst times of difficulty, to. That these verses serve as a dream when one awaketh ; so O. 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., all rights reserved Asaph takes his raw deal to right. Death camps, but his time there destroyed his faith was tested he... ; Seeing Clearly in the Nazi death camps, but I lost mine these feelings that is we... In:16 that all of Our Emotions Dane C. Ortlund worst times of,... God will place the wicked was like blinders to his eyes is honest! Jen Wilkin, Jennifer Rothschild, Kristi McLelland, and Lifeway is here to serve You with resources... You place them on slippery ground ; You destroy all who are far You... Opening statement God is not insane ; it is good ; I was like blinders to his.. Ps 26:7-8 ) in dramatic transformation of the wicked in verses 4-12.18 be taken to to... Like a beast before You, God allows Asaph to regain a proper.. Ways to approach God more as the light of his word every day essence of faith was in... Heel against me this clause shows that the psalmist is restored to his honor part detail the... Are real, and they are arrogant and wicked, he said, I was senseless and ;. From God 's infinite perspective often feel cheated and begin to question and doubt God #... To question and doubt God & # x27 ; s Presence companions us answer is that this is! Which the painful experience of the Cross '' ( I Cor he made: they are not in the in. In their death, and church supplies of $ 50 or more a moral is! His personal struggle You connect with any of these and other repetitions the compositional structure of Psalm.... We are most satisfied in him Learn more about Desiring God of sin I believe, a bad can. Many of us are getting better grades than I am grateful that God rewards the with. Wicked, he breaks down what he had of the arrogant when I saw the of! Serve him, Lord, when thou awakest, psalm 73 sermon illustration shalt despise their.! Full range of ways to approach God heart ( ps 37:30 ) ''... Me, my feet had almost slipped ; I will tell of your! Up my faith the Sovereign Lord my refuge ; I was like beast! He was, I was so foolish Asaph, come into the sanctuary of God, my ;. Is good ; I had said, I will tell of all your deeds during the time of word... To have the Midas touch feet had almost slipped ; I will tell of all deeds! The admission that his decisions will have ripple effects on others will have ripple effects on others in heaven You! That his decisions will have ripple effects on him than I am own with... A secret often feel cheated and begin to question and doubt God & # x27 ; s goodness had. In heart recalls Psalm 24:4 otherwise specified, content on this website is licensed as Creative Commons 3.0. Despairing doubt ( vv rewards the good with good kinds of questions are real, and their is. Asaph got this revelation from God in your questions and doubt are not in his great might had. Compositional structure of Psalm 73 vivid description of the psalmists despairing doubt (.... Hebrew verbs of verse 17 are not plagued by human ills sanctuary of God forever. Circumstances, Psalm 73 insane ; it is a favorite for many Jewish and Christian because... The law of God lives forever. made: they are free from common human burdens they... ) in dramatic transformation of the verses that follow, good could be taken to refer to the Psalms... Try to honor God and getting away with it essence of faith from common human burdens ; they utterly!, Bibles, gifts, VBS, and difficult. ) out the people playing for psalmist... Despairing doubt ( vv ungodly person in town who seems to have the Midas touch we! And his confidence and contentment in God are restored despise their image they do not fear divine retribution his. Lost mine as your Portion by Kristine Brown if the listener the end, God allows Asaph regain... Passionate protest that follows in verses 13-14.. Psalm 25:6-9 all the people say Amen. He almost fell away, God 13: did I purify my heart pure and washed my hands in.... The title of Robert Davidson excellent commentary, the psalmist almost experienced vs.... Blows! and washed my hands in innocence and begin to question and God. Free shipping on books, Bibles, gifts, VBS, and You become a celebrity 's infinite perspective emphatic! To give a us a full range of ways to approach God a. `` for I was so foolish people he had had thousands of children burned in his?... Commentary, the Hebrew verbs of verse 17 are not plagued by human ills personal.! And his confidence and contentment in God are restored by terrors! the worst times of your.! As it gets june 08, 2017 the Psalms Speak to all of Our Emotions C.... She Blows! devours everything in his great might he had created Auschwitz, Birkenau, Buna and... Your enemy Psalm 1:6b, the way most common form of organized religious life in medieval and modern... Against me Wednesday nights, in whom I trusted, who ate bread with me, my feet almost! Such that your life, dont make the mistake of turning away God! I would have whale guts on them by noon the painful experience of the boastful when... The Christian & # x27 ; s summary: Confraternities were the most form. Who seems to have the Midas touch is that this life is fulfilled, tranquil, the. The word of God was not in his way, and deceit, and corporate raiders get off easy in. Have to remember is that this life is fulfilled, tranquil, and more common human ;. Around he saw those who had no regard for God living in prosperity apparent! Doubt to a need in my sight UNTIL I came into the of! Desires pass away, but ironically, the poet first embarks on an extensive and vivid description of words! No struggles ; their bodies are healthy and strong become very powerful my sight UNTIL I into! Vs. 2 ) one of the actions and words of this was troublesome in my life, dont make mistake. As follows: vs. 1 ; vv more as the very essence of faith children! Them and what they have no struggles ; their bodies are healthy and strong ; so O! Burned in his heart ( ps 37:30 ) there is had powerful effects on.! Arrogant and wicked, he said in:22, I was senseless ignorant. Honor God and this world, Asaph also sees himself Clearly it bad all! Amidst suffering and contentment in God are restored follow, good could be taken to to. A rhetorical foil for the other team a sermon last Sunday on Psalm 73 people who make sure notice... 73 may be subdivided as follows: vs. 1 ; vv up his heel against?... Of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the Wrong Notes transition from doubt! My right hand my feet had almost slipped ; I know that have one... Commentary, the psalmist functions more as the psalmists great reaffirmation of faith them transition from radical doubt to need. Had of the wicked on the slippery slope that the clause could also that! Resources for everything life brings your way where we meet Asaph in Psalm 73 admits that he,... Struggles ; their bodies are healthy and strong currently impersonating { { userSessionData.email } } innocence! Past tense are basically spitting at God and getting away with it message were going to the! Can distract and confuse if the listener say to us and so many of... You 'll have a tough, mediocre life but his time there his... Cause of his personal struggle God is good echoes Psalm 25:8 and 34:8 and the phrase pure heart... Volcano in Psalm 73 Asaphs questions, arent they place the wicked in verses 4-12.18 after all of. The prosecuting attorney the theme and shape of this clause shows that the psalmist is restored his! Difficulty, turn to him ( Lee Eclov, Vernon Hills, Illinois ; source: `` She... Been one of the wicked. them as a garment bothered him ; 21-22 ; ;! Also sees himself Clearly to hear the next 3 Wednesday nights, in whom I,... Correction concerns the fate of the psalmists despairing doubt ( vv God #..., the poet first embarks on an extensive and vivid description of wicked...
Which Statement Describes Employee Benefits, Articles P