Chasing Truth™: Read the Bible Cover to Coverနမူနာ

Renewing Our Faith

Psalm 73

Asaph was a Levite (priest) and musician commissioned by King David to lead the singing in the God’s house. In this psalm, we see how faith and circumstances can seem to be in conflict. 

At the beginning of the psalm, Asaph declares his faith, and gives readers assurance of God’s goodness. He says:

God is indeed good in Israel,
To the pure in heart! (Psalm 73:1, CSB).

But then, Asaph sees a dilemma as he looks at those who do not declare faith in God. He sees their prosperity (verses 3-4), as he declares, “ . . . they have an easy time until they die, and their bodies are well fed.” Asaph also sees the trouble-free life of the wicked (verses 5-9), and their arrogance (verses 11-12).

Then Asaph does something that is typical of anyone who starts looking around at other people. He expresses doubt.

“Did I purify my heart and wash my hands in innocence for nothing?
(Psalm 73:13-14, CSB).

Asaph’s dilemma is the same as our dilemma today. We look around and see prosperity and the ease of some, while we have struggles as believers. But let’s look at the last half of this psalm to see how Asaph renewed his faith.

First, Asaph repents as he remembers the generation coming up behind him, and his responsibility to them; he says, “If I had decided to say these things aloud, I would have betrayed your people” (verse 15, CSB). “People” here can be translated as “your generation of sons [and daughters].“ Asaph also remembers the destiny of the wicked (verses 16-20). 

Finally, Asaph recalls God’s continual presence, and his eternal reward (verses 25-26), as we would also do good to remember—and rest in God’s goodness.