The Wicked Prosper (Psalm 73)Sample

Baffled by Appearances

Madame Jeanne Guyon, a French mystic, pondered the meaning of 1 Thessalonians 5:17, which tells us to "pray without ceasing." She taught that inward holiness regulates outward life, and that inner strength comes from casting ourselves into the simple presence of God.

A nameless scrubwoman who knew nothing about French mysticism expressed the same truth in simpler terms. One morning, some ministers were discussing 1 Thessalonians 5:17 but couldn't agree on its meaning. While on her knees scrubbing, the woman interrupted the ministers. "When I go to bed at night," she said, "I thank the Lord for the joy of resting in His everlasting arms. When I awaken, I ask Him to open my eyes to behold new things from His Word. When I build the fire, I ask Him to kindle love in my heart. As I walk to work, I pray to be led in paths of righteousness. While scrubbing these floors, I ask Him to wash the hearts of those walking above me with His precious blood." From her outward appearance, you would not think this scrubwoman had such spiritual insight. In fact, she knew as much as Madame Guyon—and a good deal more than the preachers.  

In today's verses, we see Asaph complaining about the success of the wicked. Thankfully, these verses help us move beyond the external to the heart of the matter.

Asaph was concerned with a common dilemma: the prosperity of the wicked. From all appearances the wicked seem to have no constraints on them and no trouble. Yet they often display pride and violence like jewelry. Asaph described what he viewed as God's apathy toward the wicked. He concluded that if there is a God, He must be disengaged from people's lives. He didn't understand how the wicked are still able to enjoy life, drink their fill, and live in ease. At the same time, the psalmist felt as if his own acts of righteous living didn't have any meaning or purpose. As Asaph grew increasingly baffled by the outward affluence of the wicked, his envy spiraled downward instead of being blessed by God's omniscient authority.

Read the verses below and answer the following questions.

"Therefore pride serves as their necklace; violence covers them like a garment. Their eyes bulge with abundance; they have more than heart could wish. They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walks through the earth. Therefore his people return here, and waters of a full cup are drained by them. And they say, 'How does God know? And is there knowledge in the Most High?' Behold, these are the ungodly, who are always at ease; they increase in riches" (Psalm 73:6-12).

Practical Observation: 

1. With what attitudes do the wicked adorn themselves?

2. How do their appearances change? Why is this a good description?

3. What descriptive words and phrases characterize the speech of the wicked?

4. What phrase hints that the wicked influence those who swallow their blasphemous words?

5. What questions did the wicked arrogantly ask?

Personal Application: 

The eyes of the wicked bulge with the abundance of worldly pleasures. But in the end, these pleasures fail to satisfy. "Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance" (Isaiah 55:2).

a. The words of the ungodly are oppressive. To oppress means to crush, burden, or depress. Recount the last time someone crushed you with words. How did you feel? Journal a prayer asking God to help you "bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse" (Romans 12:14).

b. Describe the last time you hurt someone with your words. Ask this person and God for forgiveness. Then journal a prayer asking God to give you words that comfort, encourage, and build up others. 

Asaph's vision was clouded with the world's view of success. While the ungodly think they're feasting on life, they're really eating cotton candy that disintegrates before it can be swallowed. "Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good…. There is no want to those who fear Him…. Those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing" (Psalm 34:8-10).