John Survey

1
PSALM 73 GOD...Will You Really Be Good to ME?
The Psalmists Problem His theology is in
conflict with his perception of lifes
experience
The Psalmists Solution His perception of life
is altered by an experience with God
E W x O p R E S R H I I
E P n C E


Prosperity of Wicked Observed
Psalmist questions vanity of own faith
Reality of Wickeds Fate
Reality of Gods Grace to the Faithful
v 1 v 12
v 13 v 16
v 17
v 18 v 20
v 21 v 28
2
INTRODUCTION Is it OK to question God?
How often do the tragic or just the confusing
events of life call God's Goodness into
question? Do situations become such a heavy
burden that the only reasonable response we have
is to cry out in despair saying, "God, are you
really there? God, do you really care?"
This is the situation in which the writer of
Psalm 73 finds himself. His faith, or more
accurately his theology, tells him that God will
be good to the pure in heart (v1). Yet, as he
observes the prosperity of the wicked (v1-12) he
wonders if this is really true. God has promised
to His people that if they were faithful He will
bless them. However, that is not what the writer
experiences. He sees the wicked thrive while the
righteous suffer. The Psalmist is not able to
reconcile what he observes in the world with
what God has said. This is troubling not only for
the writer of Psalm 73 but for us as well. It is
also not an issue we can either ignore or
suppress because the Word of God itself calls us
into confrontation with it. PROBLEM
(731-16) Problem of conflict in theology and
experience. This is the real moral
dilemma for the writer and for us. We know how
things should be but that is not how they always
are. The real scare for the psalmist comes in his
conclusion regarding the lifestyle of the wicked
IT WORKS (v12). This conclusion now comes into
direct conflict with the Psalmist's faith. In
vv13-16 he states that not only does the way of
the wicked work, it even seems better than the
way of God. How can it be bad if it produces such
happy results? SOLUTION (7317-28) Solution
of conflict by theological experience.
Thus far the focus of the Psalm has been upon the
wicked and the pure in heart between "they" and
"I". But now the direction is dramatically
altered. The Psalmist now sees life through the
eyes of God. He has experienced God during the
temple worship time (v17) which has completely
re-oriented how he understands the world itself.
He sees the surity of the downfall of the wicked
(vv18-20). Additionally, he perceives the reality
of God's constant abiding Grace in the life of
the faithful (vv21-26). The climactic statements
in vv27-28 tells all. First, he confirms that the
wicked lifestyle does not work (v27) and secondly
that it is good to draw near and to put one's
trust in the Lord God. The problems of life have
become secondary to the worship of God.