God Is Good, Even When the Wicked Prosper

73:1 Certainly God is good to Israel, and to those whose motives are pure! 73:2 But as for me, my feet almost slipped; my feet almost slid out from under me. 73:3 For I envied those who are proud, as I observed the prosperity of the wicked. 73:4 For they suffer no pain; their bodies are strong and well-fed. 73:5 They are immune to the trouble common to men; they do not suffer as other men do. 73:6 Arrogance is their necklace, and violence their clothing. 73:7 Their prosperity causes them to do wrong; their thoughts are sinful. 73:8 They mock and say evil things; they proudly threaten violence. 73:9 They speak as if they rule in heaven, and lay claim to the earth. 73:10 Therefore they have more than enough food to eat, and even suck up the water of the sea. 73:11 They say, “How does God know what we do? Is the sovereign one aware of what goes on?” 73:12 Take a good look! This is what the wicked are like, those who always have it so easy and get richer and richer. 73:13 I concluded, “Surely in vain I have kept my motives pure and maintained a pure lifestyle. 73:14 I suffer all day long, and am punished every morning.” 73:15 If I had publicized these thoughts, I would have betrayed your loyal followers. 73:16 When I tried to make sense of this, it was troubling to me. 73:17 Then I entered the precincts of God’s temple, and understood the destiny of the wicked. 73:18 Surely you put them in slippery places; you bring them down to ruin. 73:19 How desolate they become in a mere moment! Terrifying judgments make their demise complete! 73:20 They are like a dream after one wakes up. O Lord, when you awake you will despise them. 73:21 Yes, my spirit was bitter, and my insides felt sharp pain. 73:22 I was ignorant and lacked insight; I was as senseless as an animal before you. 73:23 But I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. 73:24 You guide me by your wise advice, and then you will lead me to a position of honor. 73:25 Whom do I have in heaven but you? I desire no one but you on earth. 73:26 My flesh and my heart may grow weak, but God always protects my heart and gives me stability. 73:27 Yes, look! Those far from you die; you destroy everyone who is unfaithful to you. 73:28 But as for me, God’s presence is all I need. I have made the sovereign Lord my shelter, as I declare all the things you have done. Psalm 74 A well-written song by Asaph.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Psalm 73 says that God is truly good to his people, even when the wicked seem to have an easy life. The psalmist nearly lost his trust because he envied their success. But when he came into God’s presence, he saw their end. Their wealth is temporary. Their fall is certain. God himself is the believer’s portion, refuge, and strength.

This psalm begins with a firm truth: God is good to Israel, especially to those whose hearts are pure. But the psalmist admits that he almost stumbled. He looked at proud and wicked people and saw them prospering. They seemed healthy, safe, and rich. They mocked God and acted without fear.

This made the psalmist question whether staying pure was worth it. He was honest about that struggle. But he also knew that spreading such doubt would harm God’s people.

Everything changed when he entered God’s sanctuary. There he understood the end of the wicked. Their success was not solid ground. God had placed them in a slippery place, and their ruin would come suddenly. What looked strong was only temporary.

The psalmist then saw that his own bitterness had made him foolish. He had spoken from pain and weak understanding. But now he confesses that God is always with him. God holds his hand, gives him wise counsel, and will lead him into honor.

The psalm ends with deep trust. The psalmist wants no one in heaven or on earth but God. Even when his body and heart grow weak, God is his strength and stability. The wicked who stay far from God will perish, but God’s presence is enough for his people. The right response is to trust God and speak of all that he has done.

• God is truly good to his people.
• The prosperity of the wicked can tempt believers to envy and doubt.
• Outward success does not mean God approves of a person.
• Worship in God’s presence corrects a confused heart.
• The wicked stand on slippery ground and will face God’s judgment.
• God is the believer’s portion, refuge, and strength.
• Believers should not measure God’s goodness by short-term circumstances.

• Warning: Do not envy the proud or judge by outward prosperity.
• Warning: The wicked may seem secure, but their end is ruin.
• Warning: Bitter thoughts can make a believer spiritually dull.
• Promise: God holds his people’s hand and guides them with wise counsel.
• Promise: God’s presence is enough, even when body and heart grow weak.
• Command: Keep your heart pure before God.
• Command: Come into God’s presence and let him correct your perspective.
• Command: Declare the works of the Lord.

Psalm 73 shows that God’s people sometimes struggle when the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer. But God is still good, and his final judgment will set things right. The psalm teaches covenant faithfulness, worship, and trust in God himself as the believer’s lasting good. It fits with the wider biblical pattern that present appearances are not the final word, and that true blessing is found in communion with God.

When life seems unfair, do not let envy rule your heart. Bring your questions to God in worship and prayer. Ask him to correct your perspective. Do not assume that easy success means God is pleased, or that suffering means he has left you. Trust that God knows the end from the beginning, and learn to be content with his presence.

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