JEALOUSY-Psalm 73

Psalm 73 Bible Study Questions. Find your Faltering Faith. “But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” “..till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood..” (Ps 73:2-3, 17).

A. Faith professed (Ps 73:1). God is good.

B. Faith questioned (73:2-14). The evil of envy.

C. Faith refocused (73:15-20). A new perspective.

B1. Faith unquestioned (73:21-27). Guided by God’s counsel.

A1. Faith affirmed (Ps 73:28). Closeness to God is good.

Some titles seen for Psalm 73: Find your Faltering, Flickering, Fading Faith under Fire.

• My feet almost slipped (Ps 73:2).
• The prosperity of the wicked (Ps 73:3).
• Good things happen to bad people (Ps 73:4-12).
• Seeing my life correctly (Ps 73:13-27).
• God is good, even on the struggle bus (Ps 73:1-28).
• JEALOUSY. ENVY. DISTANT.

How does Psalm 73 point to Jesus?

1. Jesus holds us with his hand (Ps 73:23; Jn 6:39; 10:28).
2. Jesus is the One we have in heaven and on earth (Ps 73:25; Ac 7:55).
3. Jesus understands our final destiny (Ps 73:17; Mt 16:26; 25:46; Rom 6:23; 2 Cor 5:10; Rev 21:8; Jn 3:16; 14:1-3).
4. Jesus was afflicted and punished (Ps 73:14, 21, 26; Isa 53:3; Mk 15:34; Mt 27:46).

Some existential reflections. How do you feel (existential sentiments) when:

• you see rich successful sleek people (Ps 73:3ff)—rich celebrities, athletes, billionaires, neighbors?
• you have health, hardship, adversity, relationship issues, while others seem to have it easy (Ps 73:4-5)?
• you see that God is good to others who are less devout (Ps 73:2-3)?
• you are captured by self-pity (Ps 73:13-14)?
• you consider others more than self (Ps 73:15)?
• or if you realize who you truly are (Ps 73:22)?

Notice the dominant pronouns:

• “They” (Psalm 73:1-12).
• “I” (Psalm 73:13-17).
• “…you…” (Psalm 73:18-22).
• “…you…” and “I” (Psalm 73:23-28).

“The way to deeper knowledge of God is through the lonely valleys of soul poverty and abnegation of all things. The blessed ones who possess the Kingdom are they who have repudiated every external thing and have rooted from their hearts all sense of possessing. These are the “poor in spirit.” They have reached an inward state paralleling the outward circumstances of the common beggar in the streets of Jerusalem; that is what the word “poor” as Christ used it actually means. These blessed poor are no longer slaves to the tyranny of things. They have broken the yoke of the oppressor; and this they have done not by fighting but by surrendering. Though free from all sense of possessing, they yet possess all things. “Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”― A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God.

When your faith is challenged. Psalm 73 explores themes of faith, envy, and the ultimate justice of God. It highlights the challenge of faith when confronted with the visible success of others, and the ultimate goodness, faithfulness and justice of God.