by Shannon Steuerwald

While in college during special meetings at our little church in Wisconsin, I heard an evangelist speak on Psalm 73.  The message was about learning to understand and respond to the success of those that are evil.  Every time I read Psalm 73, I think of that message, even though I heard it over fifteen years ago.  David’s struggle is not uncommon to today’s generation of Christians.  I find myself easily falling into discouragement, frustration, and even envy when I observe the world around me.  Just recently I read Psalm 73 again and jotted down some truths for me to meditate on throughout my day.

David does a character sketch on foolish people, and the list is quite intense as David describes these wicked people that seem to always succeed in life.

Verse 6: “pride surrounds them as a chain”

“violence covers them as a garment”

They are prideful and violent.

Verse 7:  “eyes stand out with fatness”

“hearts possess all they could wish”

They are covetous and self-indulgent.

Verse 8:  “corrupt”;

“speak loftily”

“speak wickedly concerning oppressions”

They are evil and selfish.  They advertise their wickedness.

Verse 9:  “speak against the heavens”

“tongue walketh through the earth”

They are blasphemous and popular in the world.

David truly was agonizing over the success of these people.  He found their blasphemy but apparent success difficult to understand.  Verse 11 shows us the extent of pride these evil people had when they began to speak sarcasm through their questioning:  “How does God know?”  and “Is there knowledge in the Most High?”  Their questioning taunted the very faith of David, and David was “plagued” and “chastened” over the success of these people.

Verse 17 was the turning point in David’s frustrations—“Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.”  David’s complete attitude changed from confusion to victory.  He realized through being in God’s presence the end result of wickedness.

Verse 18: “set in slippery places”

“cast down to destruction”

Verse 19: “brought into desolation”

“consumed with terrors”

Verse 20:  “despised by God”

David had one of those dahhhhhhh! moments.  He says in verse 22, “So foolish was I, and ignorant.”  David also discovered from his visit to the sanctuary the end of the righteous:

Verse 23:  “continually before God”

“held by my right hand”

Verse 24:  “guided with counsel”

“received in glory”

David did not stop there.  I noticed at the end of the chapter how he applied what he learned to his own life. His reaction to this knowledge is a lesson for all of us.  David desired God’s presence, recognized God’s strength and portion, realized God’s power over the wicked, and drew near to God by placing his trust in God.  David went from confusion and possible anger at God (for allowing the wicked to succeed) to really seeing the end result of not only the wicked but also the righteous.

There are many lessons that can be learned. First, go to church often to learn and to be reminded of God’s goodness and power. Secondly, pray often that our children are caught in their sin so that their sin is not left unchecked and flourishing. Finally, apply the knowledge of God’s Word to our daily lives, and find comfort in God’s just and perfect ways.

I think, though, that the beginning of chapter 73 struck me the hardest when David began by describing the unashamed actions of the wicked.  It was as if David was saying, “God, these people just don’t get into trouble like I do.  They get away with their evil!  They don’t seem to bear the consequences of sin.” I am sure David was thinking about his past life and wondering why some people just get away with sin and seem to prosper despite it, and others are caught and punished.

The New Testament was not written when David penned Psalm 73, but I am reminded of Hebrews 12:5-7 and the assurance that passage gives us that our chastening and our trials exist because God loves us and desires us to be holy.  I am sure David learned this principle in his life and taught it to his children because Solomon alluded to it in Proverbs 3.

So today I plan to spend a little bit more time in prayer asking the Lord to:

• continue to keep my sins checked
• help me stay focused on God’s blessings for the righteous
• keep me content in God’s care
• remind me to be patient and correct in my responses to trials
• help me deal with my children’s sins biblically and accurately
• keep doing whatever He needs to do to draw me closer to Him.

Psalm 73 began as a journal of disappointment but ended with a resolve to depend on God more.  Living independently from God will bring discouragement, envy, depression, and frustration.  Living dependently on God brings rest, hope, and courage.