As the rich become richer, it is easy for the rest of us to envy them. That was certainly a problem for Asaph, who in this psalm admits his desire to be prosperous and pain-free (vv. 3-4). But while there’s nothing wrong with such blessings in and of themselves, Asaph also noticed that so many of the people who are prosperous also tend to be arrogant and wicked. As they take their blessings for granted, they often resort to violence. Some even go so far as to set themselves up in the very place of God (vv. 3-9). Asaph therefore wondered if it was worth it to become wealthy in the wrong way, to abuse others in order to feather his own nest.

But if his envy of the wealthy tempted him toward wickedness, it also led him to cynicism. For as verses 12-14 point out, when we see people receiving so many material blessings in spite of their obvious sins, it’s easy to come to the conclusion that God isn’t aware of what’s going on in the world. Worse yet, we might even imagine that God just doesn’t care. And if that’s the case, why should any of us try to do what He wants? Why not just get your share, regardless of whom you have to hurt in the process?

So, what brought Asaph back to his senses? In verse 17, he simply says that he came into the sanctuary of God – he lifted his eyes upward, away from the things of this world so he could include God in his frame of reference. And with this more comprehensive perspective, he could see that those who gain wealth in wicked ways will eventually and inevitably receive the judgment of God (vv. 17-20). Sometimes the wicked receive justice in this life, as mobsters from Al Capone to Pablo Escobar have discovered. Sometimes the wicked have to wait until the great Day of Judgment when Christ returns. But God’s justice is always certain.

And with this fact firmly in mind, Asaph regrets his sin of envy, his temptation to elevate the things of this world above his loyalty to God Himself. In fact, he says that living in such envy and cynicism lowers people to the level of mere animals (vv. 21-22). In contrast, he rejoices that God came to deliver him out of his funk, taking him by the hand and bringing him back into a right frame of mind and spirit (vv. 23-24).

And what is this better way of living that Asaph found? Simply this: valuing God Himself above everything else (vv. 25-26). For when God is our greatest desire, we just won’t care about how much money or worldly pleasure other people may have. Instead, we’ll just want to be close to God, and we’ll want to tell everyone else how wonderful He is (v. 28).

So, what’s your greatest desire today? Will it lead you down the road to envy and cynicism, to callous arrogance and selfish violence? Or will it lead you upward to contentment and peace, to the safety that comes only with closeness to God?

Psalm 73 (NASB)

A Psalm of Asaph.
Surely God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart!
2 But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling; My steps had almost slipped.
3 For I was envious of the arrogant, As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no pains in their death; And their body is fat.
5 They are not in trouble as other men; Nor are they plagued like mankind.
6 Therefore pride is their necklace; The garment of violence covers them.
7 Their eye bulges from fatness; The imaginations of their heart run riot.
8 They mock, and wickedly speak of oppression; They speak from on high.
9 They have set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue parades through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return to this place; And waters of abundance are drunk by them.
11 And they say, “How does God know? And is there knowledge with the Most High?”
12 Behold, these are the wicked; And always at ease, they have increased in wealth.
13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure, And washed my hands in innocence;
14 For I have been stricken all day long, And chastened every morning.
15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,” Behold, I should have betrayed the generation of Thy children.
16 When I pondered to understand this, It was troublesome in my sight
17 Until I came into the sanctuary of God; Then I perceived their end.
18 Surely Thou dost set them in slippery places; Thou dost cast them down to destruction.
19 How they are destroyed in a moment! They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!
20 Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when aroused, Thou wilt despise their form.
21 When my heart was embittered, And I was pierced within,
22 Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before Thee.
23 Nevertheless I am continually with Thee; Thou hast taken hold of my right hand.
24 With Thy counsel Thou wilt guide me, And afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but Thee? And besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For, behold, those who are far from Thee will perish; Thou hast destroyed all those who are unfaithful to Thee.
28 But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, That I may tell of all Thy works.