The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “Innocency” it comes from the Hebrew Word “niqayon” which means “innocence, cleanness.”
Asaph honestly wrestles with envy over the wicked’s prosperity until he gains eternal perspective. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is Psalm 73.
Asaph declares truly God is good to Israel, even to those of a clean heart, yet confesses that as for him, his feet were almost gone, his steps had well nigh slipped, since he was envious at the foolish, when he saw the prosperity of the wicked, since there are no bands in their death, but their strength is firm.
Asaph describes how these wicked ones are not in trouble as other men, their eyes standing out with fatness, having more than heart could wish, while he himself has cleansed his heart in vain, and washed his hands in “innocency,” “niqayon” in Hebrew, being plagued all day long, and chastened every morning, until he went into the sanctuary of God, and understood their end.
Asaph realizes God sets the wicked in slippery places, casting them down into destruction, how they are brought into desolation as in a moment, confessing he was foolish and ignorant, being as a beast before God, yet declaring, “Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand… Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever,” closing with the settled conclusion that it is good for him to draw near to God, having put his trust in the Lord God, that he may declare all His works.
Asaph’s honest confession of nearly stumbling over envy at the wicked’s apparent prosperity, before finding perspective in God’s sanctuary, offers genuine permission for believers to admit similar struggles rather than pretending faith eliminates such temptations entirely. His resolution, whom have I in heaven but you, remains one of Scripture’s most beautiful declarations of finding complete satisfaction in God alone, regardless of what others may temporarily seem to possess.
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