A Psalm of Asaph

Psalms 73

INTRODUCTION.

A.        Have you ever looked around and saw wicked people prospering? Yet, you know that if you did the very thing they were doing that you would get caught and your life would fall apart.

B.        The writer of Psalms 73 was facing the same challenge. He would look around and see the wicked prosper and he would wander if it was all worth the trouble.

C.        Read Psalms 73:2,13,14.

D.        As we examine this text, we will see that they truth of the outcome of the wicked is brought to light and the writer is once again strengthened in the Lord.

I.         GOD IS GOOD.

            A.        Verse 1, a positive and reassuring opening statement.

                        1.         God was good to Israel.

                        2.         God is good to the clean (pure) of heart.

            B.        Today, God is good to Christians, “to such as are of a clean heart.”

                        1.         God is good -- The grace of God. (Romans 3:21-26)

                        2.         A clean or pure heart is required.

                                    a.         Pure heart. (Matthew 5:8)

                                    b.         Heart will be with treasures. (Matthew 6:19-21)

II.       DESCRIPTION OF THE WICKED.

            A.        Psalms 73:3-12

                        1.         The wicked were arrogant or boasters. (v. 3a, 6a)

                        2.         The wicked seemed to prosper in this life. (v. 3b, 4b, 5, 7b, 12)

                        3.         The end of the wicked person appears to be a peaceful one. (v. 4a)

                        4.         The wicked were violent. (v. 6b)

                        5.         The wicked were corrupt and spoke wickedly. (v. 8, 9)

                        6.         Some of the wicked had been God's people. (v. 10a)

                        7.         The wicked had no respect for God. (v. 11)

            B.        Consider a New Testament description of the wicked. (Romans 3:10-18)

III.      FOLLOWERS OF GOD MUST NOT GIVE UP.

            A.        The writer felt that he had kept his heart pure in vain. (v. 13-14)

                        1.         Christians must remember that their labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

                        2.         Christians will be rewarded for living righteously. (1 Corinthians 3:8)

            B.        The writer realized what giving in to the wicked ways would have done. (v. 15)

            C.        The writer understood that man’s reasoning could not offer a solution to the problem. (v. 16; cf. 1 Corinthians 2:13; 3:18-19)

            D.        The writer turned to the sanctuary of God to understand the wicked. (v. 17)

IV.      THE END OF THE WICKED.

            A.        Despite their successes, the wicked are on slippery ground. (v. 18a) Christ made a similar statement regarding those who hear His words but do not obey. (Luke 6:49)

            B.        The end of those who are wicked will be ruin. (v. 18b) Give consideration to 2 Peter 2:9-22.

            C.        In an instance, the wicked will be destroyed. (v. 19)

            D.        The wicked person’s life is but a dream, to be interrupted by reality. (v. 20)

            E.        Having an enjoyable dream and then unhappy when awoken.

CONCLUSION.

A.        We should remain with God; He is the only true help.

B.        Since God will never fail, we should make Him be the strength of our heart. (Psalms 73:25-28)

C.        Let us draw near unto God and put our trust in Him.

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A Psalm of Asaph: Psalms 73 -- June 22, 2003 -- File # 679 - Psalms, The

by John M. Duvall -- Lawton, OK