LESSON 1, THE TEXT ITSELF:

Today we begin a study of the seventy-third Psalm. It is a precious chapter of Scripture. I’ve included it in today’s lesson. We must thoroughly familiarize ourselves with these words. 

“Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. ² But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. ³ For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ⁴ For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. ⁵ They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. ⁶ Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. ⁷ Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. ⁸ They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. ⁹ They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. ¹⁰ Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. ¹¹ And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? ¹² Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. ¹³ Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. ¹⁴ For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. ¹⁵ If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. ¹⁶ When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; ¹⁷ Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. ¹⁸ Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. ¹⁹ How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. ²⁰ As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. ²¹ Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. ²² So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. ²³ Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. ²⁴ Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. ²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. ²⁶ My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. ²⁷ For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. ²⁸ But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

 We must consider this golden nugget of inspired Literature a verse at a time.

 Plan to join us for the journey!

                                                                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 2, VERSE 1:

The Psalm is written by Asaph. Remember his name. And not only Psalm 73 is ascribed to this man of God, but eleven more divinely inspired Hymns are too.

But who is he?

What does his name mean?

He’s a Levite. And one of David’s men of music, perhaps the choir leader or some such office. And as is often the case in the Old Testament, many of the singers are “seers” too, prophets of God no doubt. Just see Second Chronicles 29:30 for proof of his title.

And his name means “gatherer!” One who “collects” precious commodities!

And that’s exactly what Asaph has done here in Psalm 73. He has amassed for us a wealth of wisdom about the ways of God! About the Goodness of God too.

And verse one is an example, or at least an introduction to the chapter. “Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.”

The adjective for “good” is “tob” in Hebrew. It means “pleasant, agreeable, appropriate, becoming, excellent,” those kinds of wonderful qualities.

And Psalm 73:1 here sets the mood, the pace, for all this twenty-eight verse Masterpiece.

God is Good!

Even when we doubt His Goodness!

Even when it does not seem that His Goodness has been directed our way lately!

Asaph here wrestles his way through some hard circumstances of life, in a sea of chaos and bewilderment.

But guess what?

Even in the morass of incertitude, God still is what His Essence suggests!

God is Good!

Amen!

                      --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Come back tomorrow and the next day and all this will begin to fall into place. As we study God’s Word verse by verse.

LESSON 3, VERSES 2 AND 3:

It’s a riddle, a not easily explained fact of life!

The core thought of Psalm 73. If God is so good, why do the righteous often have such trouble in life?

And why do the wicked so often prosper?

Asaph the Psalmist is captivated and nearly tormented by such thoughts, such questions.

It is normally thought that God is good to the “pure in heart,” and maybe to them only. Psalm 73:1 summarizes that position, factually. “Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.”

But then we are allowed inside Asaph’s heart. Listen to him: “But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” Psalm 73:2-3

God is good, it seems, not only to the “clean,” but also to the “wicked!” So our author thinks.

And so the world seems to illustrate.

This condition, this anomaly, almost makes Asaph’s feet slip!

He became “envious” at the foolish, the Hebrew verb “qana” meaning “jealous or zealous.”

The “foolish” here are those who “shine and celebrate and rejoice,” with no thought of God at all, Deity being totally ignored.

The wicked often do “prosper,” a word built on the Hebrew stem “shalom,” to be at “peace.” They are healthy, satisfied, well-off in every way!

What’s God doing?

Why do His people so often suffer?

While the lost fare so abundantly?

That’s what Psalm 73 is going to discuss. This problem may not be of any concern to most of you. But for sure, a few of you have wondered this as well!

Is there an answer?

Yes, there is.

And Psalm 73 will provide it.

God’s Word, what a wise Book!

Come back tomorrow now.

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 4, VERSE 4:

The way a man or woman dies?

Is that a gauge of anything, especially in the moral world?

Asaph the Psalmist thought so. So do many other citizens of earth, myself included.

And it well may be true that generally speaking a godly person dies more victoriously, more peacefully, than an ungodly man.

But exceptions do exist!

And Psalm 73 discusses such a thing, a problem for the world of theology really.

Many extremely wicked folks die … seemingly well!

Asaph has written it this way, speaking of the foolish: “For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.” Psalm 73:4

The noun “bands” translates “chartzsubbah” in Hebrew, a word meaning “pangs.”

Dying with no apparent displeasure!

And even more so in these modern days, when anesthesia is so potent and freely administered.

The word “strength” is spelled “ul” and means “might or stamina.” The unsaved, even when elderly, often die looking much younger than their birth certificates say!

Oh yes, records exist where reprobates die under excruciatingly painful circumstances. The French atheist Voltaire comes to mind, if what I’ve read is true.

But as often as not, truly, “There are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.”

Why are things this way?

Why does God allow such?

Asaph just did not know.

And such ignorance troubled him greatly!

Is there not a reward for living for Jesus?

All I know to say to Asaph the philosopher and others who feel as he did is this: when a child of God dies, he has this promise. Straight from Jesus! We will not die alone! When we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He will be with us!

That’s enough, I think.

Lost people do not have this assurance.

Only the saints of God.

Again I say, that’s enough!

Praise the Lord.

                         --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 5, VERSES 5-12:

They seem to prosper, at least in Asaph’s opinion. The ungodly do. While righteous people have trials and tribulations of all kinds!

The seventy-third Psalm records these traits of the wicked but seemingly blessed man or woman. “They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.” Psalm 73:5-12

 Here are some of the more interesting words Asaph uses in this Biblical paragraph. “Trouble” is “amal” in Hebrew and means “pain or toil or grievousness.” It’s root idea is that of much “labour.” Then the verb “plagued” is “naga” and means “smitten or struck,” obviously of God in judgment! It seems the wicked people Asaph knows have no troubles, nothing major anyway!

 And what’s the result of such easy living? The ungodly become even more “proud,” a word that means ever “becoming bigger and bigger, always rising upward” in self importance. “Compasseth about as a chain” translates “anaq” meaning “to wear a necklace” all the way around one’s neck! And “violence” means “cruelty and injustice” as well. These ungodly folks then are spoiled with many possessions and virtually no reverses, financial or otherwise.

 “Corrupt” means that these people “mock, deride and jeer” anyone they please! They speak as if they are the Final Answer, omitting God always and altogether. They attack spiritual things without reservation, and they are “experts” on everything, verbally generous with their advice too. One clause in the paragraph hints that many people “listen to and heed” the vain counsel these folks give so generously! Wicked but influential, they are. Most everybody “drinks from the cups” of their foolishness!

 Yet still they “prosper,” spelled “shalev” in Hebrew and meaning “to be at ease, to be quiet and peaceable.”

 No wonder Asaph feels the way he does!

 But wait a minute, God is not through yet.

 And if you will stay with us a few days here, we will see how the the Psalmist ultimately answers his own questions!

 God is going to make everything all right one of these days!

 Just trust Him.

                                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 6, VERSES 13-14:

Asaph the Psalmist is distraught!

The more he tries to live a godly life, the more troubles he seems to experience!

And that’s unlike the wicked, who seem to “breeze” through life effortlessly.

So Asaph, the deep-thinker of the Psalms, observes: “Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.” Psalm 73:13-14

This man of God has, by faith in the Saviour, been “cleasnsed” and “washed!” Both verbs sound like direct quotes from the New Testament, don’t they?

“Have cleansed” is “zakah” in Hebrew and means “to be clear, translucent,” so that light can pass right through his heart and soul!

And “washed” is “rachatzs,” meaning “to bathe.” Watered and soaped completely, thoroughly!

But still, having been “saved” and having tried to live a proper life in God’s eyes … Asaph is wondering, “to what advantage?” Is there a reward for pleasing God?

“Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.”

The Psalmist still experiences regular times when he is “plagued” and “chastened!” That first verb is “naga” and suggests being “hit or stricken,” even “brought low” once in Scripture. And “chastened” is “tokechah” which carries the idea of being “rebuked, corrected, punished,” or even “chided.”

And these things happen regularly, “every morning” he thinks.

We have here today the words of a frustrated Believer!

A discouraged child of God.

One who is bringing his doubts and feelings to His Lord!

What’s the answer?

The Truth, the Solution to this problem is coming soon.

Right here in Psalm 73 too.

Keep studying with us day after day.

Asaph, a wise follower of Christ.

One who did not give up even when things in his life were falling into pieces!

He still asks God for Wisdom!

He still trusts!

Amen.

                           --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 7, VERSE 14 AGAIN:

Asaph, who wrote at least twelve of the Psalms, seems to have lived a “hard” life, lots of troubles had come his way.

These troublesome episodes, one hardship after another apparently, had tested Asaph’s faith, greatly so!

The seemingly “easy” lives the ungodly lived were so different from the difficult life Asaph had been given!

What was God doing? Or did God even realize this discrepancy? Did God really care?

In Psalm 73:14 Asaph documents his life. How God had treated him! “For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.”

Such treatment was unfair, wasn’t it?

The wicked prosper?

The godly suffer?

Now let me say something here. It is true that some Christians live harder lives than others. Job faced more difficulties than Hezekiah, or so it seems. James the Son of Zebedee and Brother of John, James a Disciple of Jesus, was arrested and beheaded by King Herod. A godly man suffered and died! Yet Peter, Brother to Andrew and also a Disciple of Jesus, was arrested by this same Herod, yet walked out of that very jail miraculously, escorted by an angel of God, freed to preach again!

One Disciple dies a terrible death.

Another escapes unharmed.

Asaph was among the tested Brethren. “For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.”

The verb “plagued” means “hit or smitten.” A harsh blow from God! And the verb “chastened” means “rebuked, reproved, punished.”

What’s a person to do?

Don’t worry, folks. Asaph will get all this untangled. Before the Psalm has ended too! He will come out of this Passage with a stronger faith than ever! Trusting God even more ardently than before.

Is someone reading here today going through one of those horrible times?

I am reminded of John the Baptist when He was in prison. Facing death, really. He asked Jesus whether or not our Lord was the real Messiah! “And he said unto Jesus, Art thou He that should come, or do we look for Another?” Matthew 11:3

Jesus kindly answered John, but with this addendum. “Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me.” Matthew 11:6

No matter how hard things get, let’s not be offended or bitter over God’s handling of our lives.

Let’s try to still bring Glory to his Name!

Yes, Asaph: “No doubt all the day long have you been plagued, and chastened every morning.”

But still, God is on the Throne!

We must trust Him!

He makes no mistakes.

Maybe Jeremiah 29:11 will help someone here today. It’s a love note, from God to you! “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Thank you, Lord Jesus.

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 8, VERSE 15:

Our words!

Oh, we must be careful what we say.

Especially as Christians.

And a great illustration of this fact is seen in Psalm 73 where Asaph is going through a crisis of faith. He is wondering, nearly doubting, God’s goodness!

This so true-to-life Psalmist has questioned the way God is handling His world!

The ungodly seem to have far less trials and heartaches and difficulties than do the righteous!

But Asaph is afraid to say too much, to fully vent his feelings!

Why?

“If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.” Psalm 73:15

Let me phrase this verse in our present day language. Asaph declares: “If I keep on questioning God, if I keep on talking like this, I will hurt God’s little children. I might weaken their faith. I will hush. Be quiet, my tongue.”

Wow!

“If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.”

The verb “should offend” is “bagad” in Hebrew and means “to act in an disloyal manner.” The heart of the word according to my main lexicon is “unfaithfulness.” Asaph did not want to be unfaithful to his great God nor did he want to hurt or offend or wound the children of God elsewhere who might read of his struggles!

So, he will say no more!

Praise the Lord.

This is one of the greatest examples of the control of a human tongue that’s found anywhere in the Bible!

Maybe anywhere in literature!

James in the New Testament commends the person who is able to do that, to bridle his or her tongue!

Listen. “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” James 3:2

Thank you, Asaph.

May we all follow your example.

May we speak words that edify and uplift our fellow believers!

Paul now closes today’s lesson. “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29

What a lesson!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 9, VERSES 16-17:

Many chapters in Scripture are this way, especially in the Psalms. A problem is experienced or a time of suffering is endured … only about halfway through the Text to suddenly disappear! Or be understood! Or partly alleviated somehow!

And such is the case in Psalm 73. Written by the wise man Asaph, this Bible Chapter presents the troubling scenario of the wicked man who prospers and the godly man who suffers! He really seems to suffer one trial and heartache after another!

 How can God allow these things to occur?

 Asaph was at first doubtful of God’s very Goodness when he observed such paradoxes in everyday earthly life.

 Oh, how this anomaly bothered the wise Psalmist!

 “When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.” Psalm 73:16-17

 That adjective “painful” is “amal” in Hebrew and means “troublesome, miserable, grievous.”

 Too much to bear!

 That is, “Until …!”

 Asaph found the solution to his puzzle!

 Read it with me again. “Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood ….”

 When the holy man went to Church, went to God’s House, went to the Sanctuary … then God revealed some things to him!

 What God shows Asaph will be our theme the next day or two. But until then we shall rest on the fact that God gave his servant wisdom … when he was worshipping, in the sanctuary!

 What a lesson on being in God’s House at the appropriate times!

 Let each of us do the same, attend Church regularly and faithfully. And listen as God’s man speaks, preaches the Truths of Scripture!

 Who knows?

 God will likely answer many of our questions while we’re there.

 Then our testimony will be like Asaph’s. “Then I went to my place of worship, a Bible-believing House of God, and I also understood the major issues of life!

I began to see life from God’s point of view!"

Then I understood!

Dear reader today, are you in Church like you should be?

 Week after week?

                              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 10, VERSES 18-21:

When Asaph went to Church he began to understand that the wicked who prosper so much on earth, wealth and health and blessings galore, still have to face an Almighty God. Judgment looms in their future!

Either God’s Wrath while they’re still on earth, a possibility, or God’s Wrath after death, a certainty!

Asaph concludes after basking in God’s Light and Love down at the Sanctuary, at Church: “Surely Lord thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.” Psalm 73:18-21

Honestly the Psalmist is quite overwhelmed by his own lack of discernment! He laments, repents too: “Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.” Psalm 73:22

God always knows best!

He will “cast down the wicked,” in Hebrew “naphal” meaning “to overthrow!” The noun “desolation” means “horror!”

Look too at the little innocent “barb” probably unintentionally thrown at God, “When Thou awaketh, Thou shalt despise the wicked man’s image!”

God asleep?

Be careful, Asaph!

One might could be too honest, even before the Lord.

Still we have here a sterling example of faith in action!

What happens today to the wicked as a class of people, no matter how prosperous or healthy or nonchalant they may be, is inconsequential in light of their eternal destiny!

Hell fire and brimstone, weeping and wailing, never ending!

There you have it.

The Answer God gave Asaph to help him “balance” the equation. That of blessed wicked men and suffering righteous men.

Once the “end” comes there’s an eternity of suffering for the wicked and rejoicing for the saved!

Which is better?

                                   --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 11, VERSES 21-24:

We see the growth of a soul here, spiritual growth. Asaph has wondered through the halls of perplexity, confused by the prosperity of the ungodly … while at the same time the righteous have so many trials.

Then one day while at God’s House, at the Sanctuary, during a worship Service, Asaph understands it all. Or at least  he understands enough to calm his doubts and fears.

Then the godly Psalmist repents of his weak faith. “Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. 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.” Psalm 73:21-24

These few meek words of sorrow and regret are beautiful. Conviction has gripped the man’s soul, his heart is heavy. Compare these words to the much fuller confession of David in Psalm 51, obviously both texts are similar.

Then comes a burst of new faith, revived fortitude! God is in control! He makes no mistakes. He stands by His Own people, never really forsaking them!

"Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory."

Yes, God even “guides” us, with all our questions, with His Wise Counsel. “Guide” is “nachah” in Hebrew and means “to lead, to govern, to bring forth.”

And no matter what troubles we face, no matter how dark the crises we experience, we who are “saved” are certainly going to Heaven! God Himself has so promised!

We will “be received” into Glory, “laqach” here meaning “laid hold of, fetched, taken!”

Strong words from a once doubtful man!

Asaph, we admire your honesty!

May we also have your faith!

                       --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 12, VERSES 25-28, CONCLUSION:

Few passages in all literature ever started so low … only to end on such a high note of victory! Psalm 73 is beautiful, a genuine triumph of faith in God!

Let’s hear Asaph as he worships, listening with spiritual discernment. “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.” Psalm 73:25-28

The Lord is First Place in the Psalmist’s life, despite all previous doubts or questions! “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.”

This is the Old Testament counterpart to Matthew 6:33 surely! “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Then Asaph avers, recognizing his failure! Yet at the same time magnifying God’s Perfection. God never fails! “My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” The verb here “faileth” translates “kalah,” which means “to come to an end, to cease, to be exhausted, to be wasted!”

Next is a recap of the major question that occasioned the whole Psalm. “For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.” God does judge the wicked. They do pay a price for their rebellion against the Almighty.

Then one final blow, one last stab, at the Devil! “. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD.” To “put trust” in God means “to find shelter from a storm or danger.” Or even “refuge from a falsehood, a lie!”

Asaph will just trust the Lord!

Last of all, this strong Believer in God will “declare” all the works of His Creator and Redeemer! He’s going to brag on the Lord the rest of his life! And “declare” is spelled “saphar,” meaning “to count, to recount, to relate, to repeat” again and again!

We leave him today, a happy Christian!

Trusting the Lord Who never fails!

He’s our God too!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell