A psalm by Asaph.
Book III contains 17 different songs by different authors. Eleven were written by Asaph, three from the sons of Korah, one from David, one from Heman, and one from Ethan. Asaph, Heman, and Ethan were Levitical musicians in David’s day.
73:1 Certainly God is good to Israel, and to those whose motives are pure!
Israel was chosen by God. During the Dispensation of Law, Israel was blessed or cursed for keeping or not keeping the Mosaic Law. Eventually, the entire nation will be blessed. During the Millennial Kingdom, Israel will become a nation of Jewish messianic believers.
God is also good to those who possess pure motives. Those who possess pure motive are the believers who study and apply Bible doctrine. A carnal believer cannot possess pure motives, because he is biblically ignorant and living it up in the satanic world system. His human viewpoint decisions aid those of the satanic world system.
73:2 But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my feet almost slid out from under me.
Asaph almost stumbled in his faith. He will always be saved for eternity, but he almost entered reversionism. Reversionism means that one leaves the spiritual life with Christ and slips backward into enjoying the carnal comforts of the satanic world system.
73:3 For I envied those who are proud, as I observed the prosperity of the wicked.
Asaph envied the material wealth of the godless men of the satanic world system.
73:4 For they suffer no pain; their bodies are strong and well-fed.
Those of the satanic world seemed to suffer no pain. They always seemed to be well-fed and strong.
73:5 They are immune to the trouble common to men; they do not suffer as other men do.
Those of the satanic world system seemed to be immune from trouble and suffering.
73:6 Arrogance is their necklace, and violence their clothing.
Arrogance is elevating one’s own human opinion above the Word of God. The people of the satanic world system often gain their wealth by violence.
73:7 Their prosperity causes them to do wrong; their thoughts are sinful.
Assassins, thieves, drug dealers, prostitutes, and abortionists can become materially wealthy by violent means, but they cannot take this wealth to heaven. They will look happy on the outside, but they will feel miserable on the inside. They will burn in the Lake of Fire forever.
73:8 They mock and say evil things; they proudly threaten violence.
Those of the satanic world system will mock God, the Bible, and the believers. They will kill, steal, and destroy, because this is the method of their father, the devil.
73:9 They speak as if they rule in heaven, and lay claim to the earth.
Those of the satanic world system will claim that God is blessing them. Many charismatic healers will fake miracles, or perform them by demonic powers, in order to gain wealth. Demons can make one sick and then remove the sickness, making the faith healer look as though he has real spiritual healing powers.
73:10 Therefore they have more than enough food to eat, and even suck up the water of the sea.
Those of the satanic world system eat well and control the wealthy trade routes upon the sea.
73:11 They say, “How does God know what we do? Is the sovereign one aware of what goes on?”
Those of the satanic world system think that they are getting away with their sin. They do not understand that the Great White Throne Judgment is awaiting them.
73:12 Take a good look! This is what the wicked are like, those who always have it so easy and get richer and richer.
Asaph is going to give the congregation a true look at the rich and wealthy.
73:13 I concluded, “Surely in vain I have kept my motives pure and maintained a pure lifestyle.
Asaph almost went to the dark side, but he kept his thoughts pure. Believers can only keep their thoughts pure by continually confessing sin and feeding their mind Bible doctrine from the entire counsel of the Word of God.
73:14 I suffer all day long, and am punished every morning.”
Asaph studied and applied Bible doctrine, so he was a target of the satanic world system. He suffered all day long. He was punished every morning. There is a price for studying and applying Bible doctrine.
73:15 If I had publicized these thoughts, I would have betrayed your loyal followers.
Asaph almost published his thoughts of switching over to the dark side. However, he did not want to harm the Jewish messianic believers. He still had enough Bible doctrine stored in his soul to prevent him from entering reversionism.
73:16 When I tried to make sense of this, it was troubling to me.
At this time in his life, Asaph almost did not have enough Bible doctrine to remain secure in his suffering.
73:17 Then I entered the precincts of God’s temple, and understood the destiny of the wicked.
Instruction from the word of God was available at God’s temple. Asaph learned more Bible doctrine and then was able to understand the destiny of the wicked.
73:18 Surely you put them in slippery places; you bring them down to ruin.
God placed the rich and wealthy in slippery places so that they would slip and fall to their own ruin and destruction.
73:19 How desolate they become in a mere moment! Terrifying judgments make their demise complete!
It only takes one word from God; then the rich and wealthy are destroyed in a moment's notice.
73:20 They are like a dream after one wakes up. O Lord, when you awake you will despise them.
The rich and wealth were like a nightmare. When God wakes up and moves against them, then the nightmare is over.
73:21 Yes, my spirit was bitter, and my insides felt sharp pain.
At one time in his life, Asaph was bothered that those of the satanic world system prospered while the godly suffered.
73:22 I was ignorant and lacked insight; I was as senseless as an animal before you.
At one time, Asaph was biblically ignorant. He lacked Bible doctrine. He was just as dumb as an animal.
73:23 But I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.
Once Asaph acquired Bible doctrine, then he was able to walk hand-in-hand with God. He saw things as God saw things.
73:24 You guide me by your wise advice, and then you will lead me to a position of honor.
Once Asaph mastered Bible doctrine, then he was guided by the mind of God. He was able to make divine-viewpoint decisions. This placed him in a position of honor with God. He became a member of the royal family. He was appointed as an ambassador of God to others.
73:25 Whom do I have in heaven but you? I desire no one but you on earth.
After Asaph mastered Bible doctrine, he desired only a close relationship with God.
73:26 My flesh and my heart may grow weak, but God always protects my heart and gives me stability.
Asaph’s body grows old, but God always protects Asaph’s intellect. Asaph was being sanctified and taught by God’s Holy Spirit, so he was growing more stable in life.
Those without Bible doctrine may seem stable on the outside, but inwardly they are devious and cunning. Their appearance of stability is an act to gain wealth and power for themselves. Those with strong Bible doctrine are humble on the outside, but stable on the inside. They are confident that God is in control of their every situation.
73:27 Yes, look! Those far from you die; you destroy everyone who is unfaithful to you.
Those who are far away from God will eventually die. God will destroy those who are unfaithful to him. Unbelievers will be left with nothing in eternity. They will burn in the Lake of Fire for eternity. Believers who are unfaithful to God will suffer the sin unto death. God may bring them home early and give their divinely-appointed job to another. They will not lose their eternal life, but they will lose their rewards in heaven.
73:28 But as for me, God’s presence is all I need. I have made the sovereign Lord my shelter, as I declare all the things you have done.
Asaph does not need material wealth. All he needs is God’s presence. God’s presence comes to one when they gain the mind of Christ. One can only gain the mind of Christ through the study of Bible doctrine from the entire counsel of the Word of God.
Asaph’s shelter was God Himself. Asaph witnessed to others about the great things which God had done for him.