“Behold, these are the ungodly, who are always at ease; they increase in riches. Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence. For all day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning.“ Psalm 73:12-14
Before we study Psalm 73 further we need to revisit a point that was alluded to by Asaph’s (actually God’s) choice of Hebrew words. We need to ask ourselves who are these wicked people? Our first thought is that these are Gentiles, those people of the world that do not
know the living and true God. Yet nowhere in his Psalm does Asaph refer to the wicked as Gentiles. In verse 1 Asaph refers to God’s relationship with Israel and in the choice of his Hebrew words he has constantly selected ones that have a special connotation to God’s relationship with the nation of Israel. As one commentator noted, “It is the prosperity of wicked Israelites which brought such distress to
Asaph, and I think I can understand why this would be true. Asaph, as best as I can tell, was a professional, full-time religious worker. In those days musicians were paid. Those who served in religious endeavors were supported by the tithes of the congregation. If the people of Israel were prospering and Asaph was not, it was because the people were not being obedient to God, not only in the way they obtained their wealth, but in their tithe of it. Asaph’s vantage point was from theperspective of the choir loft. I can almost see him there in the temple, looking out over the congregation. The people had healthy, well-fed bodies, fine clothes, and expensive jewelry. He had
aches and pains, meager clothing, and no luxuries of life. He was serving God; they were not. They prospered, he struggled. It wasn’t fair! Doesn’t this help you to understand the agony of Asaph?
The wicked wealthy were the very people who came to the temple to worship, but they did so in a very perfunctory way. They gave lip service to their faith, but showed no genuine heart for God.” Yet it appeared God blessed them!
Behold, these are the ungodly, who are always at ease In his frustration, Asaph watches the ungodly live the good life. The
“lukewarm” seems to be the ones who are rewarded. First they are at ease. The idea of being “at ease” or “prosperous” was often associated in Israel with divine blessing and favor. The Israelites believed that obedience to God’s commandments would lead to a life of peace and security. Why were the wicked experiencing blessing and not the Godly?
They increase in riches The wicked grow in wealth. Wealth has a wide range of meanings including physical strength, moral
valor, military might, and material wealth. It is often used to describe individuals of great capability, position or resources.
Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain and washed my hands in innocence Asaph now compares the wicked to his own situation. It seems all his service for the Lord has been worthless. Asaph appears ready to quit out of frustration.
For all day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning Instead of riches and prosperity Asaph is afflicted. Plagues may be natural afflictions that come on people but chastening was reproof and correction that came from God or through the authority He established. It seems to Asaph that he can never do anything right.
Both plagues and reproof make a person unclean requiring sacrifice and forgiveness. Asaph ponders his situation and the only thing he can determine is that this is not fair. Serving God brings pain and chastening but doing wickedly brings prosperity. Is that God’s way?But the story is not over yet!