Psalm 73 Against Common Grace

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A Quote from David J. Engelsma
Prosperous Wicked and Plagued Saints: An Exposition of Psalm 73 (brackets mine)

The argument of Psalm 73 contends that, although it seems God is good to the wicked (reprobates), in fact He is not good to them - not at all.

God is not good to those who are not (elect) Israel. They are those persons who do not have a clean, that is regenerated and sanctified heart (v1). They are those who are foolish (v3), wicked (v3), proud and violent (v6), corrupt blasphemers of God and slanderers of God’s people (v8,9), ungodly (v12), and far from God (v27)….. They are those men and women whom God has eternally appointed to destruction (Jude 4). For them Christ did not die….

God is not good to these ungodly and wicked by having a favourable attitude toward them. He is not good to them by blessing them. He is not good to them in this life with regard to their comfortable circumstances and abundant possessions. With these circumstances and possessions, God neither intends nor accomplishes their welfare. If God is not good to the ungodly, He is wrathful toward them so that He curses them. Psalm 73 exposes as false the popular doctrine of common grace. This doctrine teaches that God blesses the reprobate ungodly in this life, with regard to earthly gifts and physical circumstances, such as rain and sunshine, riches, health, and family (and the fact that they are still alive and has not gone to hell yet)…. Psalm 73 declares “Truly good to Israel is God”. Common grace says “truly God is good to the (reprobate) foolish, the wicked, the proud and violent, corrupt blasphemers of God and scoffers at the church, and those who have gone a-whoring from Him.”

The psalm does not deny that God gives many good earthly gifts to the ungodly, so that, as a rule, their lives are comfortable, pleasurable, and successful. On the contrary, the psalm affirms that this is the case…. But the psalm denies that these gifts and these circumstances are God’s blessing. By these material gifts and in these earthly circumstances, God is not good to the ungodly (wicked reprobate).



A simple breakdown of Psalm 73

1.
God is good only to the true Church: Psalm 73:1

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

2.
God is good to the true Church, but He is not good to the wicked reprobate: Psalm 73:2-20 on God's attitude towards the wicked reprobate

Psa 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
Psa 73:3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Psa 73:4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
Psa 73:5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
Psa 73:6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
Psa 73:7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
Psa 73:8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
Psa 73:9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
Psa 73:10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
Psa 73:11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
Psa 73:12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
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.
Psa 73:18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.
Psa 73:19 How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.
Psa 73:20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

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