A Reflection on Psalm 73: God seems Unfair

 

Psa 73:1  A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. 

God is only good to the elect and no one else. Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. He is good to only those who heart has been sovereignly cleansed by the blood of Christ, forever justified.

 

Psa 73:2  But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 

And yet we are still trapped in this body of death and sin-filled world. In our sanctification while still on this earth, we are prone to backsliding. Rom 7:23  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 

We fight, grapple and wrestle against a monster called sin each day. God grants us that desire to hate sin.

Psa 73:3  For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 

The Psalmist was envious at the godless who are more successful and have much fewer problems and sufferings in life. Christians sometimes foolishly admire unbelievers too easily and haste to be like them at the expense of their spiritual life.

 

Psa 73:4  For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. 

The healthy, strong, and successful godless man never sleeps. His mind is always active in thinking evil and scheming on how to fulfil the next evil steps. They know the principle: “action speaks louder than words”.

Psa 73:5  They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. 

The baffling thing is why many of these evil men could live for so long. It’s like as if God is blessing them for their evil. Whereas the believers of Christ who have devoted much of his time and energy for the cause of Christ are suffering in poverty and cancer. Where is God? He seems to have it upside down.

 

Psa 73:6  Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. 

“What’s the point of being a Christ fanatic just to suffer in this life? There is no need to believe in God, just work hard and rely on your strength alone and let your success speaks in front of everyone.” Prov 16:18  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Psa 73:7  Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. 

Oh, he is enjoying life. His flesh is screaming with joy and great sensation. Why need Christ when you already have everything my heart could wish for? There is no God. You only live once, so enjoy it now. Do great things that you will be remembered by others after you die.

Psa 73:8  They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. 

The wicked reprobate can never do good. Whatever they do is evil in God’s eyes. Their intention in doing good works such as donating money to charity is all for the sake of self-pride and reputation. They just want to be remembered by others. Ecc 2:16  For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool. 

All their good works are filthy rags in the sight of God.

Psa 73:9  They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. 

If God cannot help the poor and sickly, why not I as one of the greatest billionaires be a god and help them? If there is such a thing as God, why didn’t He do anything? Why is there so much evil in this world? Where is God?

Psa 73:10  Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. 

Evil men learn from evil men. The wicked Guru of success attracts others who also want to be successful.

Psa 73:11  And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? 

These are the people who are self-reliant and independent, who curse the true God in their mind. Who needs God? God is just the opium and crutches of the society. 

Psa 73:12  Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. 

The wicked reprobates often live long and comfortably, and Christians often suffer with many things. Therefore, they would ask: what for being a Christian if it cannot make me rich?

Psa 73:13  Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. 

Psa 73:14  For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. 

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

Psa 73:16  When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; 

Psa 73:17  Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. 

I was envious of their prosperity, and I wished I could be like them. I questioned God for being unfair and unloving to me. Why did all these bad things happen to me? Why evil men have it nice and successful. I kept thinking about it and finally God revealed the truth to me about the eternal destination of these successful evil men. I do not desire to be like them anymore, but rather I desire to be more like Christ in whatever situation God places me in.

 

Psa 73:18  Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. 

These evil men may be rich and successful as decreed by God, but it is just a means to their destruction. It is a slippery slope towards a greater hardening of their hearts that will lead them into destruction. God shows no love, grace and mercy to these successful wicked reprobates. Do not think that God loves and shows grace to the wicked reprobates just because they are still alive. Their whole life is just a means towards the day when they will finally answer to God and destruction to fulfil God’s eternal decree of unconditional reprobation. Psa 92:7  When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever: 

The world is like a slippery place for the wicked reprobates. It is a sign that God hates them and that there is no sincere salvation offer of God. Any doctrine that implies that God cares for them or atone for their sins in any way, is false. The promiscuous preaching of the Gospel is just a means to harden their hearts even more.

Psa 73:19  How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. 

Let the evil men enjoy life but remember that life is short and they will be judged shortly. Their 90 years of life is nothing compared to Noah and Methuselah. They know in their hearts, though in denial, that they will be brought to hell. Therefore, they live in fear all their lives despite their riches. Wealth without Christ brings no comfort.

Psa 73:20  As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. 

God hates them. It is clear. God loves no wicked reprobate. He loves only the elect. The wicked reprobates are in the image of satan. They are of their father, the devil. God despises that likeness. Only the elect will have the image of God restored in them upon regeneration. The image of God is defined as righteousness, true holiness and Knowledge (the fear of God is the beginning of knowledge). Eph 4:24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Col 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 

 

Psa 73:21  Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. 

Psa 73:22  So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. 

I am grieved for calling God unfair and unloving to His children. I repent of my sinful doctrines.

Psa 73:23  Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. 

Psa 73:24  Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 

Psa 73:25  Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 

Psa 73:26  My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 

Despite all my sins, Thou always preserves me in grace. All things work together for good for the elect (Romans 8:28). The suffering of this life is nothing compared to the future glory that God’s children are going to face. Psa 57:7  My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

 

Psa 73:27  For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 

The destruction of the wicked reprobates are certain. They have no chance of repentance. They are always far from God.

We as men do not know the identity of the wicked reprobates other than who have been revealed in Scripture. Christians are still responsible to preach the Gospel indiscriminately. But understand that God knows who the wicked reprobates are, and He will use that indiscriminate preaching of the Gospel to harden their hearts harder and harder each day until they are destroyed (Psalm 92:7).  

 

Psa 73:28  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. 

Only the elect will go near to God. That habit will never end. God will continue to work in our will that we can work out our salvation with fear and trembling. This is not synergistic cooperation, but monergism. It is God alone who works in us to will what is good and pleasing in His sight.

Why should the elect be envious at the riches of others? Why would the elect of God want what the wicked reprobates want, knowing that this life is just a means to their destruction?