Psalm 73 - The Contemplative Bible Meditation Series

Psalm 73,

A deeply moving piece,

Speaks to the human heart across ages.

It resonates with our struggle to reconcile the prosperity of the wicked with the trials of the faithful.

The psalm begins with turmoil,

With the author's spirit vexed by the injustices he witnesses,

But he gradually ascends into a realm of clarity and peace,

To the nearness of God.

For modern readers,

Psalm 73 offers wisdom for moments when life feels confusing,

Unfair,

Or overwhelming.

It reminds us that divine love and guidance remain steady even when the world around us appears unjust.

As we journey through this meditation,

May the words and reflections bring you to a deeper understanding of God's unfailing presence and the reassurance that,

Despite life's troubles,

We are held in divine hands.

Psalm 73,

Truly God is good to Israel,

To such as are pure in heart.

But as for me,

My feet had almost tumbled,

My steps had nearly slipped.

For I was envious of the boastful when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

For there are no bangs in their death,

But their strength is firm.

They are not in trouble as other men,

Nor are they plagued like other men.

Therefore,

Pride serves as their necklace.

Violence covers them like a garment.

Their eyes bulge with abundance.

They have more than heart could wish.

They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression.

They speak loftily.

They set their mouths against the heavens,

And their tongue walks through the earth.

Therefore,

His people,

They turn here,

And waters of a full cup are drained by them.

And they say,

How does God know,

And is their knowledge in the Most High?

Behold,

These are the ungodly,

Who are always at ease.

They increase in riches.

Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,

And washed my hands in innocence.

For all day long I have been plagued and chastened every morning.

If I had said I will speak thus,

Behold,

I would have been untrue to the generation of your children.

When I thought how to understand this,

It was too painful for me,

Until I went into the sanctuary of God.

Then I understood their end.

Surely you set them in slippery places.

You cast them down to destruction.

Oh,

How they are brought to desolation as in a moment.

They are utterly consumed with terrors as a dream when one awakes.

So,

Lord,

When you awake,

You shall despise their image.

Thus my heart was grieved,

And I was vexed in my mind.

I was so foolish and ignorant.

I was like a beast before you.

Nevertheless,

I am continually with you.

You hold me by my right hand.

You will guide me with your counsel,

And afterward receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you?

And there is none upon earth that I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart fail.

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

For indeed,

Those who are far from you shall perish.

You have destroyed all those who desert you for harlotry.

But it is good for me to draw near to God.

I have put my trust in the Lord God,

That I may declare all your works.

Truly God is good to Israel,

To such as are pure in heart.

But as for me,

My feet had almost stumbled.

My steps had nearly slipped.

For I was envious of the boasting when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

How often do we find our own hearts restless and envious.

The psalm begins with an affirmation of God's goodness.

But the author admits that his footing faltered.

He envied those who seemed to thrive without care,

Those who defied morality,

Yet basked in abundance.

This initial struggle is familiar.

We too look around and wonder why integrity doesn't always yield visible success.

And we too may feel our steps slipping into doubt.

Reflect on the times when you have questioned the fairness of life.

Let your heart hold the feeling of envy with gentle awareness,

Acknowledging it without judgment.

Remember it is natural to wonder and feel unsteady at times.

Yet God's goodness is not diminished by our struggles.

Breathe deeply and let yourself be held,

Even as you question.

For there are no pangs in their death,

But their strength is firm.

They are not in trouble as other men,

Nor are they plagued like other men.

Therefore,

Pride serves as their necklace.

Violence covers them like a garment.

Their eyes bulge with abundance.

They have more than heart could wish.

They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression.

They speak loftily.

They set their mouth against the heavens and their tongue walks through the earth.

In these verses a vivid picture of pridefulness and prosperity is painted.

These people wear arrogance like a crown and seem immune to life's suffering.

This is the illusion that prosperity breeds invincibility,

That wealth or status can shield from spiritual consequences.

Yet we know deep down that this is a mirage,

A temporary distraction from the enduring truths of the soul.

Consider the way society glamorizes power and wealth.

When we measure our worth by these standards,

We feel small and insufficient.

But pause here.

Pause here and realize true strength does not come from material security.

Take a moment to affirm that your worth is already complete,

Rooted in divine love.

Release the need to measure up to the world's deceptive standards.

Breathe in contentment.

Breathe out envy.

Verses 10-14 Therefore,

As people they turn here,

And waters of a full cup are drained by them.

And they say,

How does God know?

And is their knowledge in the Most High?

Behold,

These are the ungodly,

Who are always at ease.

They increase in riches.

Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain and washed my hands in innocence.

For all day long I have been plagued and chastened every morning.

Here the author laments the difficulty of remaining faithful.

He feels chastised,

Weary from the constant effort to do good,

While witnessing the ease of those who do not.

How often do we too feel discouraged,

Thinking that our striving is in vain.

We pray,

We give,

We love,

Yet challenges still assail us.

In these moments of despair,

Hold space for your heart's exhaustion.

Acknowledge that faith can be demanding,

That hope can feel like a burden when life doesn't align with our dreams.

Know that feeling this way does not make you faithless.

It makes you human.

Whisper to yourself,

It is okay to feel weary,

But I am not alone.

Rest in that truth,

Even if just for a moment.

If I had said I will speak thus,

Behold,

I would have been untrue to the generation of your children.

When I thought how to understand this,

It was too painful for me,

Until I went into the sanctuary of God.

Then I understood their end.

Here lies the turning point.

The author realizes that his struggle cannot be resolved by worldly understanding.

It is in God's sanctuary,

A place of sacred presence,

That he gains divine perspective.

The pain he felt transforms into insight.

He sees that the ease of the wicked is fleeting,

While God's truth endures.

Imagine yourself entering a place of divine sanctuary.

This could be a literal house of worship,

Or a quiet space within your heart.

Let the anxieties and doubts soften as you step into the sacred.

In this sanctuary,

You are seen,

Understood,

And loved.

Ask for divine wisdom,

For a higher perspective on your struggles.

Breathe in peace,

Breathe out pain.

Verses 18-20 Surely you set them in slippery places.

You cast them down to destruction.

O how they are brought to desolation,

As in a moment.

They utterly consume with terrors,

As a dream when one awakes.

So,

Lord,

When you awake,

You shall despise their image.

The author sees the prosperity of the wicked is as fragile as a dream,

Vanishing when reality sets in.

The foundations they built on are slippery,

Their triumphs transient.

It is a sobering reminder that appearances deceive and that only what is rooted in divine purpose will last.

Reflect on your own life.

What have you built on that is eternal?

What remains when the illusions of status,

Wealth,

Or the approval fall away?

Remember that the soul's treasures,

Love,

Kindness,

Compassion,

Are indestructible.

Affirm,

My spirit clings to what is real and eternal.

Verses 21-26 Thus my heart was grieved and I was vexed in my mind.

I was so foolish and ignorant.

I was like a beast before you.

Nevertheless,

I am continually with you.

You hold me by my right hand.

You will guide me with your counsel and afterward receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but you?

And there is none upon earth that I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart fail,

But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

The author confesses his weakness and arrogance,

But his sorrow gives way to a beautiful realization.

God is always with him,

Holding his hand.

Even in his confusion,

God will never let him go.

This is the heartbeat of our faith.

We may fail,

But God's strength never falters.

Meditate on this love.

Meditate on this love.

God holds your right hand,

Guiding you gently.

When your own strength fails,

Divine strength sustains you.

Whisper,

You are my strength,

My portion forever.

And feel that truth settling into your heart.

Lean into God's everlasting embrace.

Verses 27-28 For indeed,

Those who are far from you shall perish.

You have destroyed all those who desert you for harlotry.

But it is good for me to draw near to God.

I have put my trust in the Lord God that I may declare all your works.

The psalm ends with a resounding affirmation.

Drawing near to God is the highest good.

The author places his trust in the Lord,

Choosing divine proximity over worldly allure.

This is the soul's becoming.

The recognition that true peace lies in God's presence.

In closing,

Sit with the quiet certainty that God is near.

Place your trust there.

Let this psalm move you from doubt to faith,

From pain to peace.

Hold on to the goodness of drawing near to God.

A Prayer Divine Presence,

You who hold us when our steps falter,

Teach us to rest in your eternal strength.

When our hearts grow envious and weary,

Remind us that you are our portion,

Our joy,

Our guide.

We release our doubts into your wisdom and draw near to you,

Knowing that you are always with us.

May we trust in your love and declare your works,

From this day forward and always.

Amen.

The End