Psalms 73:1-14
The third book of Psalms begins with a series of eleven psalms of Asaph. It was he who, in David’s time, led the singing and accompanied it with the cymbals (1 Chronicles 16:5). Psalms 73:1-28 tells us of his hard experience. When comparing his own lot with that of wicked men, Asaph feels quite discouraged. It seems to him that God reserves pain and sorrow to those who fear Him (under the guise of discipline) while He spares the arrogant and wicked men of whom vv. 3 onward give us a terrible picture. The faithful man is grieved and tormented (v. 21). He is not far from accusing God of unrighteousness and indifference. If that is so, he thinks, what good does it do me to purify my heart?
All of us may have experienced times when we are inclined to envy those who enjoy without restraint all that life offers without being hindered by the fear of God. Young Christians in the course of their studies are well aware of all those fellow students who have plenty of money and loose principles. May they not forget their own riches (not measured by the scale of human values) and may they remember that their faith and hope make them not the most miserable (1 Corinthians 15:19) but rather the happiest of all men.